Peer Reviewing of Electronic Examinations In Tertiary Institutions: Is It Being Done? A Case Study of Selected Three Higher Education Institutions- Lusaka, Zambia
- December 2, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Education, IJRISS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XI, November 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Patricia Mambwe1, Jordan Tembo2
1Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Rusangu University, Monze, Zambia
2 Kalindawalo General Hospitals, P.O.Box 560008, Petauke, Zambia
Abstract: Peer reviewing of examinations at assessment design stage is a sustainable approach for quality. The objective of peer reviewing is to identify deficiencies which can potentially adulterate the validity, reliability and integrity of assessments. Before COVID-19 pandemic, higher learning institutions in Zambia, using the traditional paper-based examinations, provided flowing evidence of peer reviewing of examinations. The objective of this study was to find out whether universities peer reviewed electronic examinations. This study was conducted between May and August, 2021. 15 participants were purposively sampled from 2 private universities and 1 public university in Zambia. Using the single- interview per participant data collection method, this study found that peer reviewing of electronic examinations was not being done in all the 3 institutions of higher learning- no independent review for spelling deficiencies, poor wording, unclear verbs, confusing sentence structure, unbalanced number of questions testing students’ level of cognition, repetitions and other deficiencies that compromise reliability, validity and integrity of assessments was done before examinations were administered to students. This study recommends that Higher Education Authority (HEA) develop assessment standard guidelines for setting and moderating examinations for universities and other tertiary institutions. The study also recommends mandatory Professional Development conferences and seminars on peer review techniques of online exams for all academic staff in universities and other learning institutions.
Key words: Peer reviewing, assessment, examinations, standard, quality
I. INTRODUCTION
Peer reviewing also known as moderation is the cornerstone for quality assurance in the area of students’ assessment. Peer reviewing is defined as “a process of subjecting a lecturer’s set of examination questions to the scrutiny of others usually experts in the same field who comment on the nature of questions, merit, significance, and appropriateness (Dancik, 1991) to students’ cohort and material covered. Assessment moderation is a significant component of a quality education system (Smith, 2012).
