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Assessment
Assessment Tips from Experienced Assessment Coordinators 
Like all fields, the Assessment field contains a lot of terminology. This terminology may be unfamiliar to those of us trained in other fields, and in some instances the labels may even be contradictory to the definitions and methods we’ve been taught. To avoid getting tangled up in the jargon, I prefer talking about assessment in laymen’s terms. What is it we’re really trying to do with assessment? What is the heart of the matter? I think it’s asking the following questions:
- What do we want to accomplish?
- How are we going to achieve it?
- How will we know if we’re successful?
These are the fundamental questions of being an effective individual or organization. At the organization level, planning, assessment, and evaluation are the tools used for asking and answering these questions.
As in higher education in general, this page, for now, primarily focuses on learning outcomes assessment. However, a successful organization is one in which all units and processes are analyzed to determine how well they are working. Whether student services, administrative services, centers, partnerships or initiatives, an effective organization is one in which its members value a job well done and are not afraid to find out what’s working and what isn’t and make the necessary changes.
Over time, we will develop this web section to more broadly reflect and facilitate evidence-based improvement across the campus. However, some of the same techniques used for assessing student learning can be used for assessing other areas. For instance, surveys are commonly used but often don’t return the hoped-for information. Tips for planning and designing surveys will be a useful resource for anyone who has had this experience or is planning to use this assessment method.
IRAP staff can consult on selecting assessment methods, instrument design and administration and in some instances we can provide data or direct assistance. We can also make referrals if the expertise to assist you is elsewhere on campus. Occasionally grants are made available to support specific types of assessment projects. If there are other ways IRAP can support your assessment efforts, contact me.
Christina (Tina) Leimer
Director, IRAP
Sources to Consider for Publication
A list of journals that publish in assessment
For those interested in the scholarship of teaching and learning
Assessment Handbooks
Course-Based and Program-Based Assessment Handbooks
Other On-Campus Assessment Resources
Center
for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL)
CETL offers some assessment-related events and maintains an assessment library.