27th Annual Student Research Conference
Assessment and Political Science: Using Outcomes to Improve Student Learning in Political Science
Ryan J. Kohler
Dr. Candy Young and Dr. Michael Rudy, Faculty Mentors
In coordination with Truman State University political science faculty member Dr. Candace Young, an American Political Science Association survey of political science departments was conducted to determine how political science departments use student learning outcomes and assessment to improve student learning. This was based on a previous study by the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) that stated that the social sciences lagged behind other disciplines in their use of learning outcomes. The results of the survey suggest that political science departments do possess learning outcomes, but rarely use them beyond program review. This paper examines the results of this survey and conducts a statistical analysis of the data to demonstrate when and where political science departments use student learning outcomes, while also attempting to answer why or why not. This is critical to understanding how the field of political science can improve student learning through assessment.
Keywords: Political Science, Assessment, Student Learning, Curricular Planning , Outcomes
Topic(s):Political Science
Education
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 105-2
Location: VH 1010
Time: 8:15