Implementing Pre‐Post Test Designs in Higher Education Evaluations

Abstract This chapter outlines the implementation of a pilot project to evaluate courses and an education program with pre‐post designs in an undergraduate psychology program. This plan of evaluation incorporates a variety of pre‐post test designs to measure the change in student performance across different contexts—including traditional and online courses—rather than rely solely on outcome measures without controls as is common in higher education evaluation. In addition to building on the essential value of this design, this chapter examines a largely faculty‐directed evaluation program, which examines the need for expertise in instrument development and pedagogical scholarship, and demonstrates the importance of administrative support.