Students’ attitudes toward a group coursework protocol and peer assessment system

Moraes, Caroline; Michaelidou, Nina and Canning, Louise (2016). Students’ attitudes toward a group coursework protocol and peer assessment system. Industry & Higher Education, 30(2) pp. 117–128.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5367/ihe.2016.0296

URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.5367/ihe.20...

Abstract

This paper addresses a knowledge gap in that it presents an empirical investigation of a group coursework protocol and peer assessment system (GCP&PAS) used in a UK university to support postgraduate marketing students in their assessed group activities. The aim of this research is to examine students’ understanding of the GCP&PAS, as well as their attitudes towards assessed group coursework and peer-assessments generally. The study also seeks to identify any differences in such attitudes as a result of group conflict. The study determines that students are supportive of the principles of assessed group work and peer evaluation, but that there are differences in students’ attitudes toward the GCP&PAS between those who experience group conflict and those who do not. The paper contributes to the literature in that it highlights what the research findings mean regarding students’ preparedness for work. It also recommends further examination of conflict and other factors such as culture and gender in the investigation of alternative peer evaluation systems.