The validity of tutor assessed Independent Research Reports contributing to a pre-university qualification

Jackie Greatorex and Stuart Shaw

Abstract

This research considers the validity of tutor assessed, pre-university independent research reports. Evidence of construct relevance in tutors’ interpretations of the levels awarded to the candidates’ research process was investigated. This includes designing, planning, managing and conducting their own research project using techniques and methods appropriate to the subject discipline. The research was conducted in the context of the Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives and Independent Research qualification (the GPR), a pre-university qualification for 16-19 year olds which is designed to equip students with the skills required to make a success of their university studies. Tutors’ justifications for the levels they gave candidates were considered. In the first of two studies (Study 1), tutor justifications were qualitatively analysed for specific tutor behaviours that might highlight tutors interpreting levels in a construct irrelevant way. In the second study (Study 2), external moderators (EMs) rated the justifications according to the extent to which they reflected the intended constructs. Study 1 showed little evidence of construct irrelevance and Study 2 provided strong evidence of construct relevance in tutors’ interpretation of the levels they awarded candidates for the research process.

 

Greatorex, J. and Shaw, S. (2013) The validity of tutor assessed Independent Research Reports contributing to a pre-university qualification. Educationalfutures, [online] Vol. 6(1). Available at: https://educationstudies.org.uk/?p=1113 [Accessed 28 Mar, 2024].