What is the Relationship Between Assessment and Evaluation?

Assessment is defined as a process of appraising something or someone, for example, the demonstration of gauging the quality, value or importance. As against, evaluation emphasizes judging values, numbers or performance of someone or something. Assessment helps identify the level of performance of an individual, whereas evaluation determines the degree to which objectives are attained. In this article, we will discuss the basic relationship between assessment and evaluation.

The essential difference between assessment and evaluation lies in the orientation, for example, while the assessment is process-oriented, evaluation is product-oriented.

Table of Contents

Definition of Assessment

Assessment is a methodical approach to acquiring, reviewing and using information about someone or something, to make improvements were vital. The term interprets in different ways, for example educational, mental, financial, taxation, human resource and so on.

As a rule, assessment is an ongoing interactive process, in which two gatherings (assessor and assessee) are involved. The assessor is someone who assesses the performance in light of the defined standards, while the assessor is someone who is being assessed.

The process targets determining the effectiveness of the overall performance of the assessee and the areas of improvement. The process involves, setting up objectives, collecting information (qualitative and quantitative) and using the information for increasing quality.

Definition of Evaluation

The term ‘evaluation‘ has been taken from the word ‘value’ which means ‘utility of something’. Therefore, evaluation is an examination of something to quantify its utility.

Evaluation is a precise and objective process of measuring or observing someone or something, with a point of concluding, using models, for the most part, governed by set standards or by making a comparison. It checks the performance of a person, finished project, process or product, to determine its worth or significance.

The evaluation includes both quantitative and qualitative analysis of data and is embraced once at some time. It ascertains whether the standards or objectives established meet or not. If they meet effectively, then it identifies the difference between genuine and intended results.

Key Differences Between Assessment and Evaluation

The significant differences between assessment and evaluation are discussed in the points given below:

The process of collecting, reviewing and using data, for the reason for improvement in the ongoing performance, is assessment. A process of passing judgment, based on defined rules and proof is evaluation.
Assessment is analytic as it will in general identify areas of improvement. On the other hand, evaluation is judgemental, because it targets providing an overall grade.
In an assessment, the relationship between the assessor and the assessee is reflective, for example, the models are defined internally. On the contrary, the evaluator and evaluatee share a prescriptive relationship, wherein the standards are forced remotely.
The models for assessment are set by both gatherings jointly. Rather than evaluation, wherein the models are set by the evaluator.
The estimation standards for assessment are absolute, which tries to achieve the quintessential result. As against this, standards of estimation for evaluation are comparative, which makes a distinction between better and worse.
The assessment gives criticism on performance and ways of enhancing performance in future. Contrarily, evaluation checks whether the correct standards are met or not.
The motivation behind assessment is formative, for example, to increase quality whereas evaluation is tied in with judging quality, therefore the design is summative.
Assessment concentrates on the process, while evaluation focuses on the product.
In an assessment, the criticism depends on observation and positive and negative points. In contrast to evaluation, in which the criticism depends on the level of quality according to set standards.

Also Read: Difference Between Methods and Techniques: A Closer Look

Relationship Between Assessment and Evaluation: Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Assessment	Evaluation
Meaning	Assessment is a process of collecting, reviewing and utilising data, for the improvement in the present performance.	Evaluation is defined as an act of judging the basis of a set of standards.
Nature	Diagnostic	Judgemental
Function	Offers constructive criticism on performance and areas of improvement.	Determines the extent to which goals are achieved.
Goal	Formative	Summative
Orientation	Process-Oriented	Product-Oriented
Feedback	Depends on observation and positive & negative points.	Emphasizes the level of quality as per set standards.
Relationship Between Assessment and Comparison	Reflective	Prescriptive
Criteria	Set by both evaluation and assessment together.	Set by the evaluator.
Standards of Measurement	Absolute	Comparative

Methods to Assess

It can happen through observations, interviews, tests, projects or some other information-gathering method. Observations are often used in youth and early essential rudimentary grades to assess learners. Teachers might use a checklist to note areas of proficiency or readiness and select to use marks or some other consistent means for record-keeping.

It is useful for a teacher to include the date, day, and time. This record-keeping might bring about emerging examples. Does the learner display certain behaviours or respond to learning exercises because of nearness to noon, morning or afternoon? Seating, normal and artificial lighting, noise, and temperature all influence how a student feels and interacts within the environment and can have an impact on cognitive behaviours.

Interviews can be used on the rudimentary or secondary levels as an assessment tool. Like some other very arranged assessment tools, they require careful planning and development of questions, positive rapport with the student, and an environment that is liberated from distractions, outside noise, and time constraints.

Tests offer yet another venue for assessment purposes. They might appear as paper or short responses, fill-in-the-blank, matching, or valid or bogus formats. Like any of the other methods, they should be legitimate and dependable. Carefully thought-out test questions should be attached to learning standards and an unmistakable and fair scoring measure should be set up.

Normally, assessment has been seen as the outcome; the letter or point appointed toward the finish of a task; however, assessment can and should come toward the beginning, end and all through the teaching and learning process. While assessment should drive instruction, it often misses the mark when determining instructional decisions

Objectives of Assessment

Assessment is two-crease in nature. It empowers the teacher to gather information and then determine what the learner knows or doesn’t have the foggiest idea and concurrently drives the planning stage. To address the issues of all learners, the teacher might have to differentiate the instruction.

The teacher is then responsible for providing positive criticism as quickly as possible to the student. This criticism should include specifically whether the student met the learning objective, specifically what should be improved upon, and who and how these objectives will be met.

Conclusion

So, after reviewing the points above, it would be certain that the relationship between assessment and evaluation is complimentary. While evaluation involves making judgments, assessment is concerned with correcting the lack of one’s performance. However, they assume a critical part in analyzing and refining the performance of a person, product, project or process.

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