Types of Assessment Methods
Short Answer Questions
- What are Short Answer Questions?
- Structure of Short Answer Questions
- Advantages of Short Answer Questions
- Disadvantages of Short Answer Questions
- How to design a good Short Answer Question?
- Marking Rubrics
- Web References and Resources
What are Short Answer Questions?
Short-answer questions are open-ended questions that require students to create an answer. They are commonly used in examinations to assess the basic knowledge and understanding (low cognitive levels) of a topic before more in-depth assessment questions are asked on the topic.
Structure of Short Answer Questions
Short Answer Questions do not have a generic structure. Questions may require answers such as complete the sentence, supply the missing word, short descriptive or qualitative answers, diagrams with explanations etc. The answer is usually short, from one word to a few lines. Often students may answer in bullet form.
Example
- MHz measures the _________________ of the computer.
- List the different types of plastic surgery procedures.
- In economics, state Gresham's Law.
Marking Rubrics A simple Short Answer Questions Rubric: For example, if there are 6 possible arguments to a question, and the student scores all 6 arguments, he will get full mark in that question. If he scores only 4 arguments, he will get a relative mark. You may also decide to be lenient, if there are 6 arguments in a question, and the student scores any 4 out of 6, he will get full mark, this would be an assessor decision, however, this decision must be clear and consistent. If a more essay type of answer is requested, the following rubric maybe suitable: (From Rubric Studio, Short Answer Questions Assessment Tips for Students answering SAQs Copy and paste the text below:Y Declarative P Functioning Take Time to Set Take Time to Answer Take Time to Correct P Take Time to provide Feedback Y Suitable for Large Class Y Can substitute with Computers Y Passive Active Process Oriented Method Y Product Oriented Method
Advantages of Short Answer Questions
Disadvantages of Short Answer Questions
How to design a good Short Answer Question?
Short answer questions tend to be short, and have more precise answers, thus, it is possible for each question to list out all the possible answers/points.Simple Short Answer Questions 5 4 3 2 1 Total Defining Answers/Points: Answer all points 75% of all the points answered 50% of all the points answered 25% of all the points answered 0% of all the points answered
http://www.rcampus.com/rubricshowc.cfm?b=%25%2D%2B%3B2R%5D8%20%0A&sp=yes&)MARKING RUBRICS Excellent Proficient Average Poor Definition: Definition is strong and clear. Some details and definition is generally correct. Limited or weak definition. Question has not been attempted or answer is completely incorrect. Supporting Details: Many additional details to support definition or concept. Additional details show understanding of concept. Some extra information. Few or no details, only slightly related to topic. Writing Conventions: Skillful control of language and mechanics. Sentence structure is strong and effective in communicating information. Generally acceptable vocabulary, relates to topic. Few spelling/grammatical errors that do not affect meaning. Some vocabulary related to topic. Some grammatical errors related to spelling, punctuation. Limited or inappropriate use of vocabulary rleated to topic. Many errors in spelling and grammar.
Web Reference and Resources
https://www.csu.edu.au/division/learning-teaching/assessments/assessment-types/exams/short-answer-questions
http://www.iml.uts.edu.au/assessment/types/short_answer/index.html
https://carleton.ca/tls/teachingresources/assessing-student-work/short-answer-questions/
To Reference these pages
https://www.msu.edu/course/prr/320/web/tipsexam.html
http://www.testtakingtips.com/test/short.htm
Chan C.(2009) Assessment: Short Answer Questions, Assessment Resources@HKU, University of Hong Kong [http://ar.talic.hku.hk]: Available: Accessed: DATE