Grant Application Key Definitions

Below are commonly used terms related to assessment.

Term	Definition
Accountability	Data collection and reporting to external audiences (e.g., university leaders, funders, legislators) to demonstrate effectiveness and transparency.
Assessment	Any effort to gather, analyze, and interpret evidence describing effectiveness at the institutional, departmental, or program level.
Direct Measure of Student Learning	Evidence that directly shows what students have learned (e.g., written reflection, test, performance).
Indirect Measure of Student Learning	Evidence based on perceptions of learning (e.g., surveys asking students to rate their understanding).
Evaluation	The use of assessment data to determine organizational or programmatic effectiveness.
Improvement	Using data internally to strengthen the quality of services, programs, and student outcomes.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)	The university body that reviews and approves all research involving human subjects.
Learning Outcome	What a person should know, think, or be able to do after a program or experience.
Measurement	The method or tool used to collect assessment data (e.g., survey, focus group, observation).
Qualitative Methodology	Research using non-numeric data (e.g., interviews, open-ended responses, observations).
Quantitative Methodology	Research using numeric data and statistical analysis.
Rubric	A scoring guide outlining expectations and levels of performance.
Sampling	The method by which participants are selected for assessment.
Stakeholder	Any individual or group with a vested interest in the outcomes of a program or initiative.