Page 29 - DEDU504_EDUCATIONAL_MEASUREMENT_AND_EVALUATION_ENGLISH

Unit 2: Measurement and Evaluation : Concept, Need, Scope, Difference and Relevance

Self Assessment Notes
1. Fill in the blanks :

(i) ______ is the process of assigning symbols to the dimension of phenomenon in order to
characterise the status of phenomenon.
(ii) Complexion, Caste, religion, of people are called ______.
(iii) ______ has divided the process of measurement into four levels.
(iv) ______ is measurement in which the marks obtained are not affected by one another.
(v) ______ is that measurement in which the scale starts from Zero.
2.5 Concept of Evaluation

We are aware that measurement is used to express a trait of an object, person or activity in standard
words, symbols or units. In evaluation, these results are analysed and this analysis is done on the
basis of certain social, cultural or scientific standards (Norms) and by this analysis, the relative
condition of the trait of the object, person or activity is clarified. James M. Bradefield has defined this
process of evaluation in the following words :
Evaluation is the assignment of symbols to phenomenon in order to characterise the worth or
value of the phenomenon usually with reference to some social, cultural and scientific standards.
—James M. Bradefield
If we want to further clarify this definition in simple terms, we can do it in the following words :
Evaluation is the process in which the analysis of the result obtained from measurement of a trait
of an object, person or activity is done on the basis of certain social, cultural or scientific standards
(Norms), and the relative position of the object, person or activity is determined as relative to that
trait.
Factors of Evaluation
Two processes have to be undertaken in evaluation — first, the measurement and the second, analysis
of the information or data obtained from measurement. And we are aware that there are the following
four factors of measurement :
(1) The object, person or activity any of which characterstics has to be measured.
(2) The characterstic of the object, person or process which has to be measured.
(3) The tools and devices of measuring such characterstic.
(4) And the person who measures it.
There are two factors of analysis of the data or result received from the measurement, and we
can assign them serial numbers 5 and 6 respectively, which are :
(5) Those standards (Norms) on the basis of which the results of measurement are analysed.
(6) Those devices (logical, mathematical or statistical) with the use of which such analysis is carried
out.
Subjective and Objective Evaluation
We know that in evaluation, the analysis of results obtained from measurement is carried out on the
basis of certain social, cultural or scientific standards (Norms). The first thing to keep in mind in this
context is that the social and cultural standards (Norms) are not fully clear and definite in themselves;
and secondly, the persons take them according to their own views and use them accordingly. It is
clear then, that the evaluation based on social and cultural standards (Norms) is subjective. On the
other hand, the scientific standards (Norms) are always clear and definite by themselves and as
such the evaluation done on their basis is objective.

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