Major assessment

Cross Sources:  General education Definition:  Degree of student learning due to academic baccalaureate programs Reference:

Maturity

Cross Sources:  Development, Progression Definition:  To evolve to full growth and development; stability, integration, allocentrism, autonomy, and symbolization. Reference:  Heath, D. (1977).

Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE)

Cross Sources:  IRT and SEM Definition:  A method of estimating population characteristics from a sample by choosing the values of the parameters that will maximize the probability of getting the particular sample actually obtained from the population. Reference:

Measure (noun)

Cross Sources:  Test theory Definition:  A standard procedure for quantifying a sample of behavior from a larger domain; often used interchangeably with test and instrument Reference:  Crocker, L.M., & Algina, J. (1986).

Measure (verb)

Cross Sources:  Measurement, Abilities Definition:  The process of collecting data using appropriate techniques Reference:

Measurement

Cross Sources:  Measure, Abilities Definition:  The systematic investigation of people's attributes Reference:  Crocker, L.M., & Algina, J. (1986).

Meta-analysis

Cross Sources:  Study, Effect size Definition:  A systematic way of compiling results across studies in order to clarify the findings in an area of research Reference:  Cooper, H., & Hedges, L.V. (1994).

Minimum competency

Cross Sources:  Standard, Benchmark, Cut off, Competence based Definition:  A level of knowledge, skill, or ability (usually demonstrated on a measure) that has been determined to be the minimum required for successful use of that knowledge, skill, ability, or personal trait Reference:  Linn, R.L., & Gronlund, N.E. (2000).

Mission

Cross Sources:  Goals, Objectives Definition:  A general statement of purpose guiding the practices of an institution or program Reference:

Mixed methods

Cross Sources:  Qualitative, Quantitative Definition:  Refers to researchers' use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection and data analysis techniques Reference:  Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (1998).

Moral development

Cross Sources:  Student development, Moral reasoning Definition:  The transformation that occurs in a person's form or structure of thought with regard to what is viewed as right or necessary. Reference:  Evans, N.J., Forney, D. S., & Guido-DiBrito, F. (1998); Baxter Magolda, M.B. (1992); Kohlberg, L. (1981); Gilligan, C. (1982); Perry, W.G. (1970).

Motivation

Cross Sources:  Critical thinking, High and low stakes testing, Curiosity, Lifelong learning Definition:  The entire constellation of factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic, that causes a student to behave in a particular way at a particular time. With regard to student outcomes the focus is upon testing behaviors and the development of life-long learning. Reference:  Gray, P. (1991).

Multiple measures

Cross Sources:  Assessment methods, Qualitative research, Definition:  Multiple sources of assessment data gathered from a variety of sources Reference:  Creswell, J. W. (1998); Palomba, C.A., & Banta, T.W. (1999).

Multi-trait multi-method

Cross Sources:  Triangulation Definition:  An approach to construct validation where the construct of interest is measured using more than one experimental method and other related constructs are measured using the same methods so that a priori assumptions about the relationships between the constructs can be investigated Reference:  Waller, N. G., & Meehl, P.E. (1998).

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