Designing programmes of assessment: A participatory approach

Abstract

Programmatic approaches to assessment provide purposeful and meaningful assessment yet few examples of their development exist. The aim of this study was to describe the development of a programme of assessment using a participatory action research (PAR) approach. Nine work-based assessors together with three academics met on six occasions to explore the current approach to competency-based assessment in the placement component of a dietetics university course, the findings of which were used to design a programme of assessment. Findings revealed disconnect between current assessment approaches and best practice. The PAR methodology fostered a shared vision for the design of a programmatic approach to assessment and strong leadership was essential. Participants experienced a philosophical shift in their views towards assessment, supporting the implementation of a new assessment programme. This paper is the first to describe a PAR approach as a feasible and effective way forward in the design of programmatic assessment. The approach engaged stakeholders to strengthen their abilities as work-based assessors and produced champions for best practice assessment.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Analise Nicholl as a research assistant.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

This study was funded by an Edith Cowan University Learning and Teaching Grant.

Glossary

Participatory action research: Seeks to understand and improve the world by changing it. At its heart is collective, self reflective inquiry that researchers and participants undertake, so they can understand and improve upon the practices in which they participate and the situations in which they find themselves (Baum et al. 2006).

Notes on contributors

Janica Jamieson, BSc. (Hons), GradDip (Dietetics), is a lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia.

Gemma Jenkins, BSc. (Hons), GradDip (Dietetics), is a lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia.

Shelley Beatty, BEd., MPH, PhD, is an Associate Professor and the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning), School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia.

Claire Palermo, BSc., MNutDiet, MPH, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food at Monash University, Australia.