No Pat Ending: Report Brief on Outcomes Assessment

"There is no pat ending to this research brief. The issue appears to remain contentious among sociology chairs."

The research brief (What's Happening in Your Department with Assessment) is the American Sociological Association's report on survey of academic sociology departments (U.S. higher ed) on their assessment activities. Specifically, student outcomes assessment was addressed. The assessment activity is high; the attitude toward the activity is... mixed.

With a sampling frame of 915 programs/departments, and a response rate of 60%, the online survey produced data that allowed comparison with previous years. The report, at 22 pages, gives a lively accounting of survey results.

© 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. Email contact: bold[AT]marybold.com. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, www.boldproductions.com, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as legal or professional advice. Bold is the co-author of Reflections: Preparing for your Practicum or Internship, geared to college interns in the child, education, and family fields. She is a consultant and speaker on assessment, distance learning, and technology.