Some subscribers to Phys-L might be interested in a post titled
"Assessment Question (ahhhhhhhhhhhh :-) ! !) [Hake (2010)]. The
abstract reads:
*************************************************
ABSTRACT: In a recent popular TIPS thread "assessment question
(AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH)" psychologists commendably focus on testing so as
to assess the effectiveness of their department's program for their
*majors*.
But how about the effectiveness of the GENERAL INTRODUCTORY
PSYCHOLOGY COURSE given to tens of thousands of *both majors and
nonmajors* nationwide every year ?
Most psychologists appear to be either dismissive or oblivious of the
fact that "Conceptual Inventories"
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concept_inventory>, developed through
arduous quantitative and qualitative research by disciplinary
experts, are currently being used to improve undergraduate - and some
high-school - courses in science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM) disciplines (BUT NOT PSYCHOLOGY!)
*************************************************