Grades in formative workplace-based assessment: a study of what works for whom and why

Janet Lefroy*, Ashley Hawarden, Simon P. Gay, Robert K. McKinley, Jennifer Cleland

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Context

Grades are commonly used in formative workplace-based assessment (WBA) in medical education and training, but may draw attention away from feedback about the task. A dilemma arises because the self-regulatory focus of a trainee must include self-awareness relative to agreed standards, which implies grading.

Objectives

In this study we aimed to understand the meaning which medical students construct from WBA feedback with and without grades, and what influences this.

Methods

Year 3 students were invited to take part in a randomised crossover study in which each student served as his or her own control. Each student undertook one WBA with and one without grades, and then chose whether or not to be given grades in a third WBA. These preferences were explored in semi-structured interviews. A realist approach to analysis was used to gain understanding of student preferences and the impact of feedback with and without grades.

Results

Of 83 students who were given feedback with and without grades, 65 (78%) then chose to have feedback with grades and 18 (22%) without grades in their third WBA. A total of 24 students were interviewed. Students described how grades locate their performance and calibrate their self-assessment. For some, low grades focused attention and effort. Satisfactory and high grades enhanced self-efficacy.

Conclusions

Grades are concrete, powerful and blunt, can be harmful and need to be explained to help students create helpful meaning from them. Low grades risk reducing self-efficacy in some and may encourage others to focus on proving their ability rather than on improvement. A metaphor of the semi-permeable membrane is introduced to elucidate how students reduced potential negative effects and enhanced the positive effects of feedback with grades by selective filtering and pumping. This study illuminates the complexity of the processing of feedback by its recipients, and informs the use of grading in the provision of more effective, tailored feedback.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)307-320
Number of pages14
JournalMedical Education
Volume49
Issue number3
Early online date18 Feb 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2015

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgements:
We are grateful to Geoff Wong and Chris Harrison for their helpful advice and comments on drafts of the paper. We also acknowledge all the medical students and their tutors who participated in this study. The authors would like to acknowledge the advice of Dr Geoff Wong who introduced us to and coached us in Realist Evaluation. We are also indebted to Dr Rob Jones who helped us to set up the study.

Funding:
Transcription costs of the study was funded by James Elder, Emeritus Professor of Surgery, Keele University.

Keywords

  • undergraduate medical-students
  • clinical-performance
  • feedback
  • perspectives
  • metaanalysis
  • education
  • seeking
  • skills
  • focus
  • power

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Grades in formative workplace-based assessment: a study of what works for whom and why'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this