Assessment schemes in engineering courses using spectral techniques

This paper studies assessment schemes with regard to attitudes and understanding in engineering undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Griffith University, Australia. A survey was conducted consisting of eight typical assessment schemes: seminar, open-book mid-semester test, closed-book mid-semester test, problem-based assignment, presentation, multiple-choice question, closed-book final examination and open-book final examination. F-test, Relative Important Indices (RII), and rankings of each scheme are estimated. An additional insight into the student responses is given by using a novel spectral technique of computing the power spectrum of the data. Detailed comparisons are made. Recommendations are given. Further work is also outlined.