Canned/packaged/off-the-shelf instruments/software

Cross Sources:   Definition:  Preexisting tests or software that is designed to be applicable to a variety of situations or applications Reference:

Capstones

Cross Sources:  Performance assessment Definition:  Capstone experiences for graduating seniors are designed to demonstrate comprehensive learning in the major through some type of product or experience. In addition to emphasizing work related to the major, capstone experiences can require students to demonstrate how well that heave mastered important learning objectives from the institution’s general studies program. Reference:  Palomba, C.A., & Banta, T.W. (1999).

Causation

Cross Sources:   Definition:  A situation in which one factor determines the outcome of another factor or result Reference:

Census

Cross Sources:   Definition:  The entire population of the group in question is included in the study Reference:

Certification

Cross Sources:  Standard setting Definition:  A document issued to a person completing a course of study not leading to a degree; verification that a level of achievement has met designated standards Reference:

Checklist

Cross Sources:  Constructed response, Performance, Performance assessment, Rating scale, Rubric, Scoring rubric Definition:  A list of items to be completed for use in the evaluation of constructed response format items; characteristics or behaviors marked as either present or absent Reference:  Erwin, T.D. (1991).

Citizenship

Cross Sources:  Values, Group affiliation, Civic development Definition:  Includes such outcomes as voting behavior, participation in community activities, and earning special awards for community service. Reference:  Astin, A. (1993).

Civic development

Cross Sources:  Values, Citizenship, Service Learning Definition:  Refers to the broad-based education of students to be effective citizens in a democratic society. Reference:  Wellman, J. (1999).

Classical true score theory

Cross Sources:  Item Response Theory, Test theory Definition:  A testing theory which postulates error scores are random with a mean of zero and uncorrelated with error scores on a parallel test and with true scores; true scores, observed scores, and error scores are linearly correlated and are represented by the equation x = t + e, where x is the observed score, t is the true score, and e is the error score Reference:  Hambleton, R. K., & Swaminathan, H. (1985).

Classroom assessment

Cross Sources:   Definition:  Informal measures of student learning obtained in a traditional classroom setting, such as Thomas Angelo's One Minute Paper Reference:  Angelo, T.A, & Cross, P.A. (1993).

Classroom research

Cross Sources:  Assessment Definition:  A collaborative process for investigating teaching and learning issues. Reference:  Cross, K. P., & Steadman, M.H. (1996).

Closing the loop

Cross Sources:  Feedback loop Definition:  Using assessment results for program change and improvement Reference:

Co-curricular programs

Cross Sources:   Definition:  Out-of-class activities e.g., student affairs programs and activities Reference:

Coefficient alpha

Cross Sources:  Cronbach's alpha, Internal consistency Definition:  A class of procedures used to estimate reliability from the internal consistency of a measure Reference:  Crocker, L.M., & Algina, J. (1986).

Cognitive

Cross Sources:  Cognitive complexity; Cognitive development Definition:  Issues that relate to a person's ability to solve a problem using rational thought Reference:

Cognitive complexity

Cross Sources:  Cognitive; Cognitive development Definition:  The ability to differentiate, abstract, and conceptualize Reference:

Cognitive development

Cross Sources:  Cognitive; Cognitive complexity, Affective Definition:  Development explained through sequential stages in which individuals encounter problems or ideas which cause cognitive conflicts that demand the individual to accommodate or change their way of thinking to become more complex Reference:  Knefelkamp, L., Widick, C., & Parker, C.A. (1978).

Cohort

Cross Sources:   Definition:  A group of study subjects, selected based on predetermined criteria, who are followed over a period of time Reference:

Community involvement

Cross Sources:  Values, Community service, Service learning, Social, Political Definition:  Stages of social responsibility: 1) Explanation, 2) Realization of sense of obligation, 3) Actualization or sense of social justice. Reference:  Delve, C.L., Mintz, S.D., & and Stewart, G.M (1990).

Comparative data

Cross Sources:  Comparison group Definition:  Data from two or more similar groups which have exposed to different conditions of the independent or intervention variable Reference:

Comparison group

Cross Sources:  Comparative data Definition:  A group of subjects who are similar to the group being studied, with the exception of exposure to the independent variable Reference:

Competence based

Cross Sources:  Performance standards Definition:  A set of knowledge, skills, or abilities usually demonstrated on a measure. Reference:  Linn, R.L., & Gronlund, N.E. (2000).

Competency

Cross Sources:  Criterion referenced, Cut score, Proficiency, Educational success, standard setting, Bookmark, Angoff Definition:  The demonstration of the ability to perform a specific task or achieve a specified criteria Reference:

Completion

Cross Sources:  Attainment, Success Definition:  The conclusion of an educational program and acquisition of a degree; receipt of credential (e.g., certificate, degree). Reference:

Computational skills

Cross Sources:  Quantitative skills Definition:  The ability to identify problems in data, to reason numerically, and to apply and use data to solve problems. Reference:  Lloyd, M. A., & Kennedy, J. H. (1997).

Computer adaptive testing (CAT)

Cross Sources:  Computer administered tests; Computer based testing Definition:  Administration of test items based on responses to prior test items Reference:  Wainer, H. (2000).

Computer administered tests

Cross Sources:  Computer adaptive testing; Computer based testing Definition:  A test administered by a computer Reference:  Wise, S.L., & Plake, B.S. (1989).

Computer based testing (CBT)

Cross Sources:  Computer adaptive testing; Computer administered tests Definition:  A test administered by a computer Reference:  Wise, S.L., & Plake, B.S. (1989).

Confidentiality

Cross Sources:   Definition:  Maintaining the privacy of specific data Reference:

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)

Cross Sources:   Definition:  Factor analysis working with a priori expectations in which specific expectations concerning the number of factors and their loadings are tested on sample data Reference:  Kim, J., & Mueller, C.W. (1978).

Conflict management

Cross Sources:  Communication skills; Conflict resolution Definition:  Conflict is the interaction of interdependent people who perceive opposition of goals, aims and values, and who see the other party as potentially interfering with the realizations of these goals. Resolution styles include: 1) Competition - a win-lose strategy dealing with conflict from a dominance mind set; 2) Accommodation - a win-lose style approaching conflict management with a more yielding mindset; 3) Avoidance - involves not talking about the issue in question or avoiding the other party altogether; 4) Compromise - when both parties are willing to give and take in order to manage the conflict effectively; 5) Collaboration - a win-win conflict management style whereby both parties work toward understanding the position of the other, hence agreement. Reference:  Putnam, L. L., & Poole, M. S. (1987). Gaut, D. R., & Perrigo, E. M. (1998).

Conflict resolution

Cross Sources:  Communication skills; Conflict management Definition:  Conflict is the interaction of interdependent people who perceive opposition of goals, aims and values, and who see the other party as potentially interfering with the realizations of these goals. Resolution styles include: 1) Competition - a win-lose strategy dealing with conflict from a dominance mind set; 2) Accommodation - a win-lose style approaching conflict management with a more yielding mindset; 3) Avoidance - involves not talking about the issue in question or avoiding the other party altogether; 4) Compromise - when both parties are willing to give and take in order to manage the conflict effectively; 5) Collaboration - a win-win conflict management style whereby both parties work toward understanding the position of the other, hence agreement. Reference:  Putnam, L. L., & Poole, M. S. (1987). Gaut, D. R., & Perrigo, E. M. (1998).

Confounding variable

Cross Sources:  Construct Definition:  An uncontrolled variable that systematically varies with the independent variable Reference:  Bordens, K.S., & Abbott, B.B. (1988).

Consequential validity

Cross Sources:  Validity Definition:  The aspect of validity dealing with positive and negative intended and unintended issues associated with the use and interpretation of tests Reference:  Moss, P.A. (1998).

Construct

Cross Sources:  Confounding variable Definition:  Specific concept or variable of interest in given research Reference:

Construct validity

Cross Sources:   Definition:  Construct validity is the degree to which one can infer certain constructs in a psychological theory from the test scores. Reference:  Mehrens, W.A., & Lehman, I.J. (1991).

Constructed response format

Cross Sources:  Selected response format Definition:  The examinee produces an answer or response to a given stimulus or test question; also known as production format; an alternative to selected response format Reference:  Erwin, T.D. (1991).

Content analysis

Cross Sources:  Qualitative, Quantitative Definition:  Is a qualitative methodology in which researchers analyze written material in a way that which will produce reliable evidence about a large sample. To do this, researchers establish a set of categories and then count the number of instances that fall into each category. The crucial requirement is that the categories are sufficiently precise to enable different coders to arrive at the same results when the same body of material is examined. Reference:  Silverman, D. (2000).

Content learning

Cross Sources:  Knowledge Definition:  The acquisition of knowledge from an experience, as distinct from the process of an experience. Reference:  Drever, J. (1964).

Content representativeness

Cross Sources:  Content relevance, Content representativeness, Content standards Definition:  The extent to which the knowledge or skills being assessed represent an adequate sample from the domain of interest Reference:  Messick, S. J. (1999). *************

Content standards

Cross Sources:  Content relevance, Content representativeness, Content standards Definition:  Refers to a defined domain of educational objectives Reference:  National Educational Goals Report (1996).

Content validity

Cross Sources:  Face validity, Validity Definition:  A test has content validity if the item contents/stems are indicators of the attribute it is designed to measure. Reference:  McDonald, R.P. (1999).

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

Cross Sources:  Assessment Definition:  Taken form the business world, CQI is a methodology intent on meeting or exceeding customer requirements by continuous improvement and innovation in products, processes, and services. Marchese (cited in Palomba & Banta, 1999) notes that “the quality movement brings with it a sense of collective responsibility for learning, a habit of listening to the people we serve, a preference for data, an ethic of continuous improvement, a determination to develop fully the talent of every learner, and an acknowledgement that we are professionally accountable to one another and to those we serve for results Reference:  Palomba, C.A., & Banta, T.W. (1999).

Control group

Cross Sources:  Variable, Treatment group Definition:  A group of subjects, matched to the experimental group, which does not receive the treatment of interest Reference:

Cost-benefit analysis

Cross Sources:  Institutional management Definition:  The analysis of well-defined alternatives by comparing their costs and benefits when both costs and benefits are expressed in monetary terms. Each alternative is examined to see whether benefits exceed costs, and the ratios of the alternatives are compared. The alternative with the highest benefit-to-cost ration is then selected. Reference:  Worthen, B.R., Sanders, J.R., & Fitzpatrick, J.L. (1997).

Course portfolio

Cross Sources:  Portfolio assessment, Reflective practice Definition:  Can be developed by students or faculty. Students create portfolios by gathering a body of evidence of their own learning and competences in a course. Is also used to help students become reflective thinkers. Faculty develop course portfolios to document their own leaning in a course and then share it with students. Course portfolios might coating information illustrating how the course fits within the institution or program, as well as evidence of student learning, the professors 9teachers) reflections and self-assessments, and perhaps the reactions of peers in the discipline. Reference:  Palomba, C.A., & Banta, T.W. (1999). Huba, M.E., & Freed, J.A. (2000).

Course-embedded assessment

Cross Sources:  Assessment methods, Content relevance, Course evaluation Definition:  Collecting assessment data information within the classroom because of the opportunity it provides to use already in-place assignments and coursework for assessment purposes. This involves taking a second look at materials generated in the classroom so that, in addition to providing a basis for grading students, these materials allow faculty to evaluate their approaches to instruction and course design. Reference:  Palomba, C.A. & Banta, T.W. (1999).

Covariate

Cross Sources:  Test theory, Variable Definition:  How one variable varies with another usually used in removing associated effects of an external variable such as age or family income from other variables in a study Reference:

Creativity

Cross Sources:  Critical thinking, Problem solving Definition:  In an educational setting, creativity pertains to the development of flexible thinking patterns. It entails aspects of problem solving and motivation to find solutions as well as the generation of multiple hypotheses. Reference:

Credentialing

Cross Sources:  Measurement Definition:  Method of assuring students, parents/guardians, and the community that students are prepared with the knowledge and skills to be successful and as they move from school to school and to their chosen career Reference:  Overtoom, C. (2000).

Criterion referenced

Cross Sources:  Norm referenced, Absolute decision, Benchmark, Cut score Definition:  An interpretation of test scores or ratings where the raw-score or rating connotes mastery or competence in the instructional knowledge or skill area at a given level or standard; the absolute, not relative, standing of the examinees is important Reference:  Erwin, T.D. (1991).

Critical ethnography

Cross Sources:  Qualitative/ ethnography/ grounded theory/ case study/ phenomenological studies Definition:  A style of discourse and analysis embedded within conventional ethnography in which the researcher chooses between conceptual alternatives and value-laden judgments to challenge research, policy, and other forms of human activity. Critical ethnographers attempt to aid emancipatory goals, negate repressive influences, raise consciousness, and invoke a call to action that potentially will lead to social change Reference:  Thomas (as cited in Creswell, 1994).

Critical thinking

Cross Sources:  Cognitive complexity; Cognitive development, Higher order and cognitive development, Problem solving, Analytical skills Definition:  The ability to integrate previous knowledge to identify and weigh possible responses to a novel situation Reference:

Cronbach's alpha

Cross Sources:  Coefficient alpha Definition:  One the measures of internal consistency that falls under the broad heading of coefficient alpha Reference:  Crocker, L.M., & Algina, J. (1986).

Cross-sectional

Cross Sources:  Longitudinal Definition:  A study, which measures a population at a specific point in time or over a short period of time; an alternative to longitudinal study. Reference:  Babbie, E.R. (2001).

Cross-sectional survey

Cross Sources:   Definition:  Involves observations of a sample, or cross-section, of a population or phenomenon that are made at one point in time. Reference:  Babbie, E.R. (2001).

Cultural

Cross Sources:  Values and attitudes, Open-minded, Tolerance Definition:  An acceptance and appreciation for the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of different racial, religious, or social groups as well as of their own cultural group. Reference:  Astin, A. (1993).

Culture of assessment

Cross Sources:  Assessment Definition:  An environment in which continuous improvement through assessment is expected and valued Reference:

Culture of evidence

Cross Sources:  Assessment Definition:  An environment in which the use of research and/or assessment results to guide policy decisions is expected and valued Reference:   O’Banion, T. (2000)

Cut score

Cross Sources:  Criterion referenced Definition:  A score which a student needs to achieve to demonstrate minimal competency Reference:

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For any comments regarding new terms or suggested definitions for this Dictionary, please write to :   assessment@jmu.edu. Thank you.