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Quantitative Analysis:
Describes paired t-tests
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D. Analysis of assessment data.
We will analyze data as the project unfolds. In the formative stages the database will be smaller than during the summative assessment. Thus we will concentrate on the major issues for which we will have statistical power. First, have students improved in each of the three project goals from the start of the course to the end of the course? At the end of each semester, the data for courses affected by the proposal will be pooled and the pre-course and post-course test scores will be compared to those of the control group using a t-test. The student identification numbers will allow pre-course and post-course test scores to be paired for each student. By pairing our data, the t-test will have greater power to detect significant improvements for students affected by this project as compared to students in the control group. In courses where the student population is as large as 15 the assessment can be also done on a course basis. If one course shows a significant improvement beyond that of the control group while another does not, then differences in the courses need to be examined to try to account for the outcome. Is the difference related to different instructors? Survey data may help to address these types of issues.
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Describes survey data as useful supplement
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We will also examine the student surveys to determine if we have met our goals concerning objectives that are best measured by survey information. These surveys will allow us to assess which class practices were perceived to aid students in their knowledge of cell and tissue biology, understanding of the scientific method and development of critical thinking skills. These may have important indicators for points of improvement. Which module in the course was most effective at achieving project goals? Are there suggestions that the instructor did not devote enough time to discussion of experimental results? Are there suggestions that students needed more guidance with their projects? We will discuss the data in the surveys with the evaluator on an annual basis. |
