Assessment Plan
Assessment of Experimental Programs
Goals /Objectives
The goals of the graduate programs in the division of experimental psychology include:
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Training graduate students so that at graduation they are accomplished independent researchers who can successfully apply their knowledge of library research, hypothesis derivation, research design, statistical methods, instrumentation, experimental procedures, and writing for publication
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Training graduate students so that at graduation they are accomplished teachers of psychology who can design courses to meet curricular demands, deliver subject matter in a variety of ways as appropriate, motivate students, set rigorous standards, and assess learning.
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Training graduate students so that at graduation they are effective departmental citizens who can work cooperatively with peers and mentors, contribute time and effort for the good of the collective, participate in the intellectual life of the department, and see needs for service and volunteer to help to meet them.
Student progress is monitored continuously by individual faculty research mentors and advisors. In addition, performance in teaching assignments is assessed each semester by the university and a faculty supervisor.
A formal evaluation of the progress toward meeting these goals for each student is also conducted at least each spring and more often in the case of students who are failing to meet standards. Each spring the students submit detailed reports on their activities for the current year. These reports contain information that assess outcomes with regard to each of the training goals. For example, progress toward each goal is assessed by some of the following
- Research. Goal 1 is assessed by satisfactory completion of required research projects, initiation and completion of independent research, presentations at regional and national meeting, publications, and progress toward completion of the dissertation
- Teaching. Goal 2 is assessed by student evaluations of teaching and supervisors' evaluations based on direct observation and course-related materials such as syllabi and examinations
- Citizenship. Goal 3 is assessed by demonstrated ability to accomplish cooperative tasks such as research with peers and mentors, activities undertaken on behalf of the department as a whole, attendance at department functions, particularly colloquia and brown bag sessions, and initiative in identifying and attempting to rectify common problems.
The progress of each student is discussed thoroughly and information about each student is shared among the faculty as a whole. The students receive feedback in the form of a rating of satisfactory, marginally satisfactory, and unsatisfactory as well as a full synopsis of the discussion in a meeting with their advisors.
Outcome data in the form of detailed annual student reports and annual letters to each student are available in student files in the department office.