Starter Quiz: Evaluation Techniques

What is the primary purpose of evaluation in education?

• To punish students

• To assess learning outcomes

• To increase class size

• To reduce teacher workload

Answer explanation

The primary purpose of evaluation in education is to assess learning outcomes. This helps educators understand student progress and effectiveness of teaching methods, rather than punishing students or affecting class size.

Which evaluation technique involves asking a series of questions to gather information?

• Observation

• Survey

• Experiment

• Case Study

Answer explanation

A survey is an evaluation technique that involves asking a series of questions to gather information from respondents, making it the correct choice. Other options like observation and experiments do not primarily focus on questioning.

Which of the following is a qualitative evaluation method?

• Surveys with rating scales

• Interviews

• Standardised tests

• Experimental designs

Answer explanation

Interviews are a qualitative evaluation method as they gather in-depth insights and subjective experiences from participants, unlike surveys with rating scales, standardized tests, or experimental designs, which are more quantitative.

Formative evaluation is best used for which purpose?

• Summarising learning at the end of a course

• Providing feedback during the learning process

• Grading students

• Comparing student performance across schools

Answer explanation

Formative evaluation is primarily used to provide feedback during the learning process, helping educators and learners identify areas for improvement. It is not intended for grading or summarizing learning at the end.

Which technique is often used to understand behaviours in a natural setting?

• Focus Groups

• Observations

• Questionnaires

• Case Studies

Answer explanation

Observations are a technique used to study behaviors in their natural context, allowing researchers to see how individuals act in real-life situations, making it ideal for understanding genuine behaviors.

What is a key advantage of using focus groups for evaluation?

• They provide quantitative data

• They allow for in-depth discussion and insights

• They are quick to administer

• They are always representative of the entire population

Answer explanation

A key advantage of using focus groups is that they allow for in-depth discussion and insights, enabling participants to express their thoughts and feelings, which can lead to richer qualitative data.

Which evaluation technique typically involves a control group?

• Case Study

• Experimental Design

• Interview

• Survey

Answer explanation

Experimental Design typically involves a control group to compare the effects of an intervention. This allows researchers to isolate the impact of the variable being tested, making it a key technique in evaluations.

Summative evaluation is primarily concerned with:

• Ongoing improvement

• Final outcomes and effectiveness

• Daily feedback

• Student behaviour

Answer explanation

Summative evaluation focuses on assessing final outcomes and effectiveness of a program or intervention, rather than ongoing improvement, daily feedback, or student behavior.

Which of the following is NOT a common data collection method in evaluation?

• Surveys

• Interviews

• Guesswork

• Observations

Answer explanation

Guesswork is not a common data collection method in evaluation, as it lacks systematic approach and reliability. In contrast, surveys, interviews, and observations are established methods used to gather data effectively.

What is a potential disadvantage of using case studies for evaluation?

• They provide too much data

• They may not be generalisable to other contexts

• They are always time-consuming

• They only provide quantitative data

Answer explanation

A potential disadvantage of case studies is that they may not be generalisable to other contexts, as findings from a specific case may not apply broadly, limiting their applicability in different situations.