Current Research

The current research activity of the Assessment and Evaluation Unit falls into four main areas:

  1. Research into mathematics assessment;
  2. Research into the use of ICT in assessment;
  3. Research into gender effects in assessment;
  4. Research into the assessment of gifted and talented students.
Each of these is associated with a number of projects and publications, most noticeably those arising from our involvement in World Class Tests.

For example, the Unit has recently completed projects, commissioned by QCA:

  • to investigate the process of the design, production and delivery of computer based tests, and to compile a report in the form of a guide to procurement of such tests;
  • to consider and report on the advantages and limitations of the computer as a medium for assessment;
  • to explore the relationship between gender and performance in mathematics tests; and
  • to analyse the performance of the most successful students to try discern what it means to be gifted and talented in mathematics.

Last updated by Matt Homer on 24th October 2005