Abstract
A sample of 206 second-year Education students completed questionnaires on issues relating to their preparation for and perceptions of two methods of assessment of the same course: an assignment essay and an end-of-course multiple choice question (MCQ) examination. The questionnaire required a simultaneous response for each assessment method to statements focusing on their learning approaches, their perceptions of the levels of intellectual abilities being assessed, and their preference for either the assignment essay or MCQ examination as an assessment method of the course and the reasons for their choices. The above variables were analysed in relation to each other and to performance outcome in both assessment tasks. Results suggest distinct patterns according to assessment method. Students were more likely to employ surface learning approaches in the MCQ examination context and to perceive MCQ examinations as assessing knowledge-based (lower levels of) intellectual processing. Poorer performance in the MCQ examination was associated with the employment of deep learning strategies. In contrast, students were more likely to employ deep learning approaches when preparing their assignment essays which they perceived as assessing higher levels of cognitive processing. Poorer performance in the assignment essays was associated with the employment of surface strategies. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beard, R.M. and Senior, I.J. (1980). Motivating Students. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Biggs J.B. (1973). ‘Study behaviour and performance in objective and essay formats’, Australian Journal of Education 17, 157–167.
Biggs, J.B. (1979). ‘Individual differences in study processes and the quality of learning outcomes’, Higher Education 8, 381–394.
Biggs, J.B. (1987a). Student Approaches to Learning and Studying. Melbourne: Australian Council for Educational Research.
Biggs, J.B. (1987b). Study Process Questionnaire Manual. Melbourne: Australian Council for Educational Research.
Biggs J.B. (1987c). ‘Process and outcome in essay writing’, Research and Development in Higher Education 9, 114–125.
Biggs, J.B. (1988). ‘Approaches to learning and essay writing’, in Schmeck, R.R. (ed.), Learning Strategies and Learning Styles. New York: Plenum Press, pp. 185–228.
Bloom, B.S. ed.), Engelhart, M.D., Furst, E.J., Hill, W.H. and Krathwohl, D.R. (1956). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: Cognitive Domain. New York: Longmans, Green & Co.
Boulton-Lewis, G.M. (1995). ‘The SOLO taxonomy as a means of shaping and assessing learning in higher education’, Higher Education Research and Development 14, 143–154.
Entwistle, A. and Entwistle, N. (1992). ‘Experiences of understanding in revising for degree examinations’, Learning and Instruction 2, 1–22.
Entwistle, N. and Tait, H. (1990). ‘Approaches to learning, evaluations of teaching, and preferences for contrasting academic environments’, Higher Education 19, 169–194.
Fransson, A. (1977). ‘On qualitative differences in learning. IV - effects of intrinsic motivation and extrinsic test anxiety on process and outcome’, British Journal of Educational Psychology 47, 244–257.
Frederickson, J.R. and Collins, A. (1989). ‘A systems approach to educational testing’, Educational Researcher 18, 27–31.
Hakstian, A.R. (1971). ‘The effects of type of examination anticipated on test preparation and performance’, The Journal of Educational Research 64, 319–324.
Marton, F. and Saljo, R. (1976). ‘On qualitative differences in learning. II - outcome as a function of the learner's conception of the task’, British Journal of Educational Psychology 46, 115–127.
Newble, D.I. and Jaeger, K. (1983). ‘The effect of assessments and examinations on the learning of medical students’, Medical Education 17, 165–171.
Prosser, M. and Millar, R. (1989). ‘The ‘how’ and ‘why’ of learning physics’, European Journal of Psychology of Education 4, 513–528.
Prosser, M. and Webb, C. (1994). ‘Relating the process of undergraduate essay writing to the finished product’, Studies in Higher Education 19, 125–138.
Ramsden, P. (1988a). ‘Context and strategy: Situational influences on learning’, in Schmeck, R.R. (ed.), Learning Strategies and Learning Styles. New York: Plenum Press, pp. 159- 184.
Ramsden, P. (1988b). ‘Studying learning: Improving teaching’, in Ramsden, P. (ed.), Improving Learning: New Perspectives. London: Kogan Page, pp. 13–31.
Ramsden, P. (1992). Learning to Teach in Higher Education. London: Routledge.
Scouller, K.M. and Prosser, M. (1994). ‘Students' experiences in studying for multiple choice question examinations’, Studies in Higher Education 19, 267–279.
Tang, K.C.C. (1992). ‘Perceptions of task demand, strategy attributions and student learning’, Research and Development in Higher Education 15, 474–481.
Thomas, P.R. and Bain, J.D. (1982). ‘Consistency in learning strategies, Higher Education 11, 249–259.
Thomas, P.R. and Bain, J.D. (1984). ‘Contextual dependence of learning approaches: the effects of assessments’, Human Learning 3, 227–240.
Trigwell, K. and Prosser, M. (1991). ‘Relating approaches to study and quality of learning outcomes at the course level’, British Journal of Educational Psychology 61, 265–275.
Van Rossum, E.J. and Schenk, S.M. (1984). ‘The relationship between learning conception, study strategy and learning outcome’, British Journal of Educational Psychology 54, 73–83.
Watkins, D. (1982). ‘Factors influencing the study methods of Australian tertiary students’, Higher Education 11, 369–380.
Watkins, D. (1983). ‘Depth of processing and the quality of learning outcomes’, Instructional Science 12, 49–58.
Watkins, D. and Hattie, J. (1985). ‘A longitudinal study of the approaches to learning of Australian tertiary students, Human Learning 4, 127–141.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Scouller, K. The influence of assessment method on students' learning approaches: Multiple choice question examination versus assignment essay. Higher Education 35, 453–472 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003196224280
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003196224280