JOURNAL OF HIGHER EDUCATION THEORY AND PRACTICE

Rubric Scales: How a ‘Zero’ Scoring Option May Alter Rater Choices

Author(s): James Woodley, Kathryn Yeaton, Teresa Hutchins

Citation: James Woodley, Kathryn Yeaton, Teresa Hutchins, (2017) "Rubric Scales: How a ‘Zero’ Scoring Option May Alter Rater Choices," Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, Vol.17, Iss. 8, pp. 81-88

Article Type: Research paper

Publisher: North American Business Press

Abstract:

This article presents findings for an empirical study of how faculty raters respond to the scale values adopted for programmatic assessment rubrics. Analysis highlighted a statistically significant increase in the frequency with which the lowest score was assigned when the lowest score was one, rather than zero. Since the use of zero as a scoring option is common for rubrics used in assessment carried out in higher education, questions are raised about the potential impact on assessment results of relatively subtle changes in rubric design and, ultimately, on closing the loop activities proposed in response to programmatic assessment results.