What is Assessment?

"What is assessment?" is a question commonly asked across fields. It is a process of collecting, reviewing, and evaluating where you are and how well you are making progress on anything of interest. While definitions may vary, assessment is essential for making informed decisions.

These tools are more than just simple tests. They involve multiple ways of measuring and applying key information.

There are several basic types of assessments. For example, in education they determine levels of performance for placement in courses, to show progress (formative), for diagnosis of learning problems, and for mastery (summative) of concepts.

Virtually every field requires testing and measuring of some sort. For example, health professionals collect patient information to diagnose conditions before developing treatment plans. Key data are collected for job placement, psychological profiles, and to demonstrate institutional effectiveness. Corporations, hospitals, and universities show evidence of compliance with accreditation standards using multiple assessments.

Any instruments used must be both valid (accurate) and reliable (repeatable) if results are to be meaningful, particularly if they are used to show progress toward stated goals. Inaccuracies or inconsistencies in these tools can result in costly errors.

Research Assessment Adviser can assist you in selecting appropriate measures to generate valid and reliable information to show how well you are progressing toward your goals. Feel free to contact us for a free consultation if you need assistance.

Related pages:

Validity and Reliability