Learning and Teaching Unit Queensland University of Technology August 2011
Definitions of summative assessment types
Categories:
1. Written Discourses
2. Oral Discourses
3. Performance – Exhibition – Demonstration
4. Design
5. Student-negotiated
Notes:
• The list of summative assessment types is intended to
o provide consistent descriptions to students across the University
o provide course and unit teaching teams with a range of possible approaches that
could be considered to assure learning outcomes consistent with QUT’s assessment
policy
o enable consistent and efficient reporting and mapping of different types of
assessment as requested by course teams and faculties.
• The term ‘attendance’ is not included in the list, as attendance is not supported as an
assessment strategy by QUT’s policy for Assessment (MOPP C/5.1).
• The term ‘participation’ is not included as an assessment type, but can be part of the
assessment criteria under a particular task (e.g. Discussion Forum).
• A single assessment item may include a number of different activities (e.g. a ‘Practical’ may
involve a series of weekly laboratory exercises)
• The assessment item should describe at least 80% of the required activities (e.g. a
Discussion Forum could include submission of a short written answer to a problem – but this
should not be more than 20% of the overall item).
• A number of the assessment types in this list may be relevant to work integrated learning
activities.
Assessment Type Definition Examples
1. WRITTEN DISCOURSES
Abstract a concise description of a longer - research/conference
paper - journal
Annotated a list of relevant literature on a - research training
Bibliography topic; each entry includes a brief - research effort
description of its relevance to the - critical comprehension
topic
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Learning and Teaching Unit Queensland University of Technology August 2011
Assessment Type Definition Examples
Case Study analytical account of an instance - identification and analysis of
or event relating to a person, discipline specific issues or
group or organisation within its trends and their significance
real life context applying within an event in its real world
discipline specific models, context
constructs and research - application of disciplines
literature specific models or constructs
for analysis and critique or an
event in its real world context
- development and justification of
discipline- appropriate,
innovative solutions for an
event in its real world context
Critique (written) a written constructive criticism or critique of any of the following:
judgment based on criteria
- performance
- published work
- artefact
- construction
Essay an extended prose response to a - critical
set question, problem or issue - expository
- discursive
Examination (written) set tasks/questions/problems, - invigilated, unseen Q/s
completed in a pre-determined, - invigilated, seen Q/s
restricted time span under - mid-semester, in-class
invigilated conditions as - invigilated test or quiz
summative assessment
Literature Review a written paper based on May be associated with
systematic and explicit
identification, evaluation and - research project
interpretation of existing bodies - a particular discipline/topic
of work
Workbook an objective record of - site experience
observations, completed tasks or - course/unit/tutorial experience
goals that have been met - record of events
- log
Minutes an official record of discussion - formal meetings
and post-meeting action/s - team decisions
Peer Review a documented, critical judgment - oral feedback or written notes
by students of peer work
Portfolio a student compilation of work - unit-based achievement
completed during a semester or - course-based
over a course accompanied by a - suite/sequence-based
justification for inclusion - e-portfolio
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Learning and Teaching Unit Queensland University of Technology August 2011
Assessment Type Definition Examples
Problem Solving Task an exercise to solve problems of - experiment
limited scope using appropriate - hypothesis-based task
rules or techniques - scenario-based task
Professional plans documentation used for - action plan
planning, internships (WIL) and - overview
other professionally-aligned work - proposal
- conceptual plan
- chart
- lesson planning
Project (research) building and testing a theoretical - case study
position - action research
- experiment
- impact studies
- planning for complex
professional task
- field work
Project (applied) the application of theory and - the programming of an IT
practice environment
- application of sustainability in
the build environment
- application in social sciences of
multiple intelligences
Quiz/Test a non-invigilated response to a - process knowledge
finite number of questions, may - calculation
be short answer or multiple - factual recall
choice, or combination of both - concept/context response
- online
Note: if a quiz is summative and
invigilated, then it is classified as
‘examination (written)’.
Reflective journal an evaluation of student’s own - personalised account of a
learning that includes critical, topic, experience or event
analytic reflection critical analysis of
experience/activity
- evaluation of student’s own
learning
Report a structured writing genre that - scientific/technical report
presents a logical and factual - analytical report
account of events within its time- - editorial or media-aligned
line account
- summative account of
experience
- business report
- board/management paper
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Learning and Teaching Unit Queensland University of Technology August 2011
Assessment Type Definition Examples
Research Paper a written presentation of an - conference paper
investigation into a selected topic - journal article
according to the style required in - covers an entire project or a
the particular discipline component of a project
Self-assessment an assessment of own - reflective
knowledge, work, skill or ability - indicate growth and
according to criteria development
Thesis an extended piece of research PhD, masters or honours
designed to set up and defend
an intellectual position taken by - written document presented in
its author accordance with QUT
regulations
- artwork and exegesis
2. ORAL DISCOURSES
Critique (oral) an oral constructive criticism or - performance
judgement based on criteria - published work
- artefact
- construction
Debate an argument for or against a - usually in teams
specific topic - formal rules
Discussion Forum comments or posting - Blackboard discussion site
contributions to topics or - BLOGS
questions posed by - collection of communication
lecturer/peers strategies (e.g. informal
debate, presentation, written
task etc)
Interview a formal meeting conducted to of students:
elicit information from a person
or group - examiner/panels
by students:
- to defined audience
Presentation an oral presentation/speech (that - plan for action
may include visual materials) - introduction to a performed
(Oral individual or task
group) - explanation/justification of/for
position
- conference presentation
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Learning and Teaching Unit Queensland University of Technology August 2011
Assessment Type Definition Examples
Viva voce a verbal explanation/account of a - one or more examiners
topic, problem or task - assessment usually both or
verbal communication skills
and content knowledge
- mooting
3. PERFORMANCE – EXHIBITION – DEMONSTRATION
Creative work an original creative work - a - fine arts and crafts work,
tangible product of creative effort diagram, map, photographic
image, sculpture or installation.
- realised, constructed,
fabricated or unrealised
building and design projects.
- written creative work such as a
novel or art review. Includes
exhibition catalogues and
catalogue entries.
- realised or unrealised fashion
design project, garment,
fashion graphic or textile print.
- music or sound design
composition
- other original creative works
that do not fit the other types of
assessment
Demonstration a demonstration of professional, Skills and knowledge and
practical or creative skills, dispositions are observed by an
dispositions and knowledge examiner relating to
- laboratory / clinical procedures
- micro teaching
- creative performance
May occur weekly or on an
irregular basis, or as a single,
prepared or unprepared invigilated
practical task.
Placement the student applies learning and - practicum
performance demonstration of professional - internship
capabilities in workplace or - field experience
community context - clinical placement
- community service
assessment may be by - professional experience
academic supervisor, industry - cooperative education
supervisor or a combination of
the both
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Learning and Teaching Unit Queensland University of Technology August 2011
Assessment Type Definition Examples
Examination assessment of professional, - solo or group performing arts
(practical) practice or performance-related (music, dance, drama)
skills through set practical - examination of un/prepared
tasks/questions in a pre- work
determined, restricted time span - laboratory or field practical
under invigilated conditions
Exhibition curated or produced exhibition or - the curation and/or production
event which involves an of an internet website
organised presentation and presenting a collection of
display of a selection of items creative works where the
internet is the medium of the
exhibited works.
- the curation and/or production
of a collection of creative works
exhibited together, in that
particular arrangement, in a
gallery, museum, designated
space or event
- the curation of a festival
bringing together new work or
existing works
- curated or produced exhibitions
and events that do not fit into
the above
Laboratory/Practical a demonstration of - experiment
technical/professional skills - research
- scientific enquiry
- practical examination
Performance an enacted, real-time - new work or a
performance event of creative demonstrably new or innovative
work in which there is the interpretation or production of
physical co-presence of an existing work.
performer and audience - other new work or
demonstrably new or
innovative interpretations or
productions of an existing work.
Recorded/rendered work presented through a - film or video
creative work recording or rendering medium - performances (music, dance,
theatre, etc) created
specifically for a recorded
medium
- recorded/rendered creative
works, often experimental, and
drawing on a number of
disciplines
- creative 3D models, including
digital outputs of architectural
and design projects, computer
programs, games and visual
artworks.
- creative works featured in a
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Learning and Teaching Unit Queensland University of Technology August 2011
Assessment Type Definition Examples
website.
- other recorded/rendered
creative works not listed above
Poster Presentation a 2D representational work for - graphic summation of learning
public display for group/open
- graphic representation of
argument/concept/idea
Simulation action within a reproduction of a - technology (usually digital)-
workplace or environment based
- experiential
Teamwork (process) analytical account of the team - response to criteria
effort to complete an
assessment task
4. DESIGN (incl Theatre, Fashion, Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, IT)
2D or 3D representation of an - drawing
object or system, - structure
Design - backdrop
- interior plan
- building plan
- structural plan
- software/programs
- scale model (mock-up)
- deconstructed object
(properties)
- visual representation (e.g.,
concept map)
Model representation of a an event, - predictive computer model
theoretical position or
(Theoretical) phenomenon
5. STUDENT NEGOTIATED
Student negotiated a topic, its nature and scope - learning contracts
assessment developed in consultation with
the lecturer or supervisor
