1
,Learning model
° Learning outcome: the purpose of learning achieved by producing specific outcome products.
° Outcome product: the result of the learning activities a learner engages in during the learning process.
The learner produces outcome products during learning.
° Production method: how an outcome product is produced. A series of actions constitute an activity, and
a series of activities form a method.
° Learning opportunity: work towards achieving the required learning outcomes by producing particular
outcome products. A learning opportunity has three elements
(a) an outcome product
(b) the method for producing the outcome product, and
(c) a reference to the resource required for producing the outcome product.
The outcome product is the most important element, each activity of a learning opportunity is geared
towards the production of the outcome product. An outcome product has to fulfil certain standards. If a
learner produces an outcome product that fulfils certain minimum criteria the learner can be declared
competent.
Basic measurement and questionnaire design
Outcome product
A questionnaire and its mini-manual
Production method
1. Identify a suitable content domain
2. Design a questionnaire
3. Write items for the questionnaire
4. Pilot-test the questionnaire
5. Evaluate the questionnaire’s reliability and validity
6. Compile a mini-manual for users of the questionnaire
7. Evaluate the questionnaire
8. Evaluate the mini-manual
1. Content domain: Identify the content domain for a questionnaire
Outcome product
1. Identification of a content domain
2. A discussion on the suitability of a questionnaire as measuring instrument
Method
Activity 1.1: Describe the relevant content domain
Activity 1.2: Evaluate the suitability of a questionnaire as a measure for this content domain
Resource reference
1. Content domain: Identify the content domain for a questionnaire
2. Suitability of a questionnaire as measuring instrument
The function of the questionnaire is measurement.
1 Identifying the focus of a questionnaire
The purpose of the questionnaire refers to what it intends to measure and for whom it will be used.
The first step is to identify the general topic of interest, select a problem area within that topic that you
want to investigate, reduce the general problem to more specific questions. Do they all relate to each
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, other? Can you combine them into one question? Should you rather choose one question and leave the
others for separate questionnaires?
The content domain therefore consists of the tasks, behaviours, attitudes, etcetera related to one or more
of these questions.
2 Limiting the scope of the questionnaire
Decide on what is relevant. By limiting the scope in this way, you can cover your topic adequately but do
not ask irrelevant questions and still have a questionnaire that is relevant and not too long.
Suitability of a questionnaire as measuring instrument
The main purposes of a questionnaire are to
(1) obtain accurate factual information
(2) provide a standard format for recording facts, comments and attitudes and
(3) facilitate data processing.
The measuring instrument and approach you use depends on the topic you have chosen and the
purpose of your investigation.
The questionnaire is ideal for collecting opinions, preferences and facts for a specific purpose from a
defined set of respondents, typical use is a population census or an opinion poll. Educational and
psychological questionnaires measure knowledge, interests, and other constructs.
Exercise: Indicate whether a questionnaire would be a suitable measuring instrument
TOPIC YES OR NO REASON
1 support for political parties Yes You want to find out facts
2 preference for different types Yes
of beer
3 typing skills No looking at a practical ability
4 opinions about the parole Yes
system
5 parenting practices Yes attitudes, to examine effectiveness use observation
6 effect of personality on Yes and No questionnaire to measure aspects of personality, need a
intelligence separate test to measure intelligence, the relation
between personality and intelligence, you would need the
right kind of research design
3
,Learning model
° Learning outcome: the purpose of learning achieved by producing specific outcome products.
° Outcome product: the result of the learning activities a learner engages in during the learning process.
The learner produces outcome products during learning.
° Production method: how an outcome product is produced. A series of actions constitute an activity, and
a series of activities form a method.
° Learning opportunity: work towards achieving the required learning outcomes by producing particular
outcome products. A learning opportunity has three elements
(a) an outcome product
(b) the method for producing the outcome product, and
(c) a reference to the resource required for producing the outcome product.
The outcome product is the most important element, each activity of a learning opportunity is geared
towards the production of the outcome product. An outcome product has to fulfil certain standards. If a
learner produces an outcome product that fulfils certain minimum criteria the learner can be declared
competent.
Basic measurement and questionnaire design
Outcome product
A questionnaire and its mini-manual
Production method
1. Identify a suitable content domain
2. Design a questionnaire
3. Write items for the questionnaire
4. Pilot-test the questionnaire
5. Evaluate the questionnaire’s reliability and validity
6. Compile a mini-manual for users of the questionnaire
7. Evaluate the questionnaire
8. Evaluate the mini-manual
1. Content domain: Identify the content domain for a questionnaire
Outcome product
1. Identification of a content domain
2. A discussion on the suitability of a questionnaire as measuring instrument
Method
Activity 1.1: Describe the relevant content domain
Activity 1.2: Evaluate the suitability of a questionnaire as a measure for this content domain
Resource reference
1. Content domain: Identify the content domain for a questionnaire
2. Suitability of a questionnaire as measuring instrument
The function of the questionnaire is measurement.
1 Identifying the focus of a questionnaire
The purpose of the questionnaire refers to what it intends to measure and for whom it will be used.
The first step is to identify the general topic of interest, select a problem area within that topic that you
want to investigate, reduce the general problem to more specific questions. Do they all relate to each
2
, other? Can you combine them into one question? Should you rather choose one question and leave the
others for separate questionnaires?
The content domain therefore consists of the tasks, behaviours, attitudes, etcetera related to one or more
of these questions.
2 Limiting the scope of the questionnaire
Decide on what is relevant. By limiting the scope in this way, you can cover your topic adequately but do
not ask irrelevant questions and still have a questionnaire that is relevant and not too long.
Suitability of a questionnaire as measuring instrument
The main purposes of a questionnaire are to
(1) obtain accurate factual information
(2) provide a standard format for recording facts, comments and attitudes and
(3) facilitate data processing.
The measuring instrument and approach you use depends on the topic you have chosen and the
purpose of your investigation.
The questionnaire is ideal for collecting opinions, preferences and facts for a specific purpose from a
defined set of respondents, typical use is a population census or an opinion poll. Educational and
psychological questionnaires measure knowledge, interests, and other constructs.
Exercise: Indicate whether a questionnaire would be a suitable measuring instrument
TOPIC YES OR NO REASON
1 support for political parties Yes You want to find out facts
2 preference for different types Yes
of beer
3 typing skills No looking at a practical ability
4 opinions about the parole Yes
system
5 parenting practices Yes attitudes, to examine effectiveness use observation
6 effect of personality on Yes and No questionnaire to measure aspects of personality, need a
intelligence separate test to measure intelligence, the relation
between personality and intelligence, you would need the
right kind of research design
3
