Measures Matter: Exploring Direct vs. Indirect Measures

How do we measure the success of our students? Given the increased role of assessment in justifying resources both within and outside a university, the question of how we examine, describe, and improve college student success is more important than ever. As part of this process, we sometimes get stuck in discussions about how to measure outcomes. One of the common questions is whether we should use direct or indirect measures. This webinar will explore direct and indirect measures, discuss strengths and weaknesses, and challenge commonly-held myths about both approaches.

Presented by Dr. Sherry Woosley, Skyfactor's Director of Analytics & Research

[lt]

Isn’t direct measurement redundant? And that would mean Indirect measurements are oxymoronic. Fundamentally the process of measurement uses measurement systems to sense the measurand (‘measurement’) and give a value (logical or numerical). That’s direct.

I can see how one uses measurement on objects/variable which are INDIRECTLY related to the object/variable of interest so as to, by analysis, calculate for that object/variable.

I know that indirect measurements are a thing that many industries use and the message is clear - but does that actually make fundamental sense?