Learning in law: using MCQs for summative assessment in core law courses

Article

McNamara, Noeleen and Barnett, Eola. 2012. "Learning in law: using MCQs for summative assessment in core law courses." International Journal of Organisational Behaviour. 17 (3), pp. 46-61.
Article Title

Learning in law: using MCQs for summative assessment in core law courses

ERA Journal ID21951
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsMcNamara, Noeleen (Author) and Barnett, Eola (Author)
Journal TitleInternational Journal of Organisational Behaviour
Journal Citation17 (3), pp. 46-61
Number of Pages16
Year2012
Place of PublicationToowoomba, Australia
ISSN1440-5377
Web Address (URL)http://www.usq.edu.au/business-law/research/ijob/~/media/USQ/Business-Law/Journals/IJOB%20Vol%2017%203%20Paper%204.ashx
Abstract

This article reports on an investigation undertaken by the authors on the verity of multiple choice questions (MCQs) as components of summative assessment in first level core courses within a law program. Student results are compared across different years where the only variable was the use of MCQs substituted for a research assignment. Comparison will be made about results of the general student body, as well as higher performing students and those who failed the courses to gauge whether either group is favoured by having MCQs. Conclusions will be drawn about constraints and opportunities from the authors’ experience in using MCQs in these courses.

Keywordslegal education; pedagogy; multiple choice questions; summative assessment
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390102. Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development
390402. Education assessment and evaluation
520105. Psychological methodology, design and analysis
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Law
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q18q4/learning-in-law-using-mcqs-for-summative-assessment-in-core-law-courses

Log in to edit

Download files

Published Version
McNamara_Barnett_IJOB_v17n3_PV.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 2033
    total views
  • 463
    total downloads
  • 6
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Supporting First Year Online Law Students with Their Transition to University: Developing Law-Specific Resources on Academic Integrity and the Academic Ennvironment
McNamara, Noeleen and Braun, Kerstin. 2023. "Supporting First Year Online Law Students with Their Transition to University: Developing Law-Specific Resources on Academic Integrity and the Academic Ennvironment." Journal of the Australasian Law Teachers Association. 16, pp. 33-47.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: A Short History of Biosecurity Regulation in Australia
McNamara, Noeleen. 2023. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: A Short History of Biosecurity Regulation in Australia ." McKibbin, Sarah, Patrick, Jeremy and Harmes, Marcus K. (ed.) The Impact of Law's History: What's Past is Prologue. Switzerland. Springer. pp. 257-276
Environmental Public Interest Litigation in China: An Overview
Zhao, Xiaobo and McNamara, Noeleen. 2023. "Environmental Public Interest Litigation in China: An Overview." Wang, Xi, Zhao, Xiaobo and McNamara, Noeleen (ed.) Environmental Public Interest Litigation in China . Switzerland. Springer. pp. 3-19
LexisNexis Questions and Answers: Contract Law
McNamara, Noeleen and Crowley-Cyr, Lynda. 2023. LexisNexis Questions and Answers: Contract Law. Australia. LexisNexis Butterworths.
Law and Ethics for Australian Teachers
Butlin, Mark A, McNamara, Noeleen and Anglin, Kerrie. 2021. Law and Ethics for Australian Teachers. Cambridge, United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press.
Mentoring dyads in higher education: It feels lucky, but it's more than luck
Fitzgerald, Angela and McNamara, Noeleen. 2021. "Mentoring dyads in higher education: It feels lucky, but it's more than luck." International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. 10 (3), pp. 355-369. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMCE-12-2020-0088
The supermarket with no beer: A review of liquor licensing in Queensland
McNamara, Noeleen. 2018. "The supermarket with no beer: A review of liquor licensing in Queensland." James Cook University Law Review. 24, pp. 115-127.
Public participation and the Adani Syndrome
McNamara, Noeleen and Crane, William. 2018. "Public participation and the Adani Syndrome." Environmental and Planning Law Journal. 35 (3), pp. 320-330.
Adani Mining Pty Ltd v Land Services of Coast and Country Inc & Ors [2015] QLC 48
McNamara, Noeleen and Zhao, Xiaobo. 2016. "Adani Mining Pty Ltd v Land Services of Coast and Country Inc & Ors [2015] QLC 48." Australian Resources and Energy Law Journal. 35 (1), pp. 6-12.
Australian Aboriginal land management: constraints or opportunities?
McNamara, Noeleen. 2017. "Australian Aboriginal land management: constraints or opportunities?" James Cook University Law Review. 21 (2014-2015), pp. 25-40.
Authentic assessment in contract law: legal drafting
McNamara, Noeleen. 2017. "Authentic assessment in contract law: legal drafting." The Law Teacher. 51 (4), pp. 486-498. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069400.2016.1211853
Wine tasting: to charge or not to charge?
McNamara, Noeleen and Cassidy, Frances. 2015. "Wine tasting: to charge or not to charge?" International Journal of Hospitality Management. 49 (8), pp. 8-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2015.05.004
The Australian consumer law after the first three years - is it a success?
Taylor, Des and McNamara, Noeleen. 2014. "The Australian consumer law after the first three years - is it a success?" Curtin Law and Taxation Review. 1 (1), pp. 96-132.
Corporate social responsibility and compliance: transnational mining corporations in Tanzania
McNamara, Noeleen. 2013. "Corporate social responsibility and compliance: transnational mining corporations in Tanzania." Macquarie Journal of International and Comparative Environmental Law. 9 (2), pp. 1-17.
Wine tasting: should Granite Belt wineries charge for tasting?
McNamara, Noeleen and Cassidy, Frances. 2012. "Wine tasting: should Granite Belt wineries charge for tasting?" 2012 Regional Development: Connectedness, Business and Learning: Creating Sustainable Communities Workshop. Brisbane, Australia 20 Jun 2012 Toowoomba, Australia.
Supporting learning in law: using formative MCQ assessment in criminal law core courses
Barnett, Eola and McNamara, Noeleen. 2012. "Supporting learning in law: using formative MCQ assessment in criminal law core courses." International Journal of Organisational Behaviour. 17 (2), pp. 72-86.
The student behind the avatar: using Second Life (virtual world) for legal advocacy skills development and assessment for external students: a critical evaluation
Barnett, Eola and McKeown, Lindy. 2012. "The student behind the avatar: using Second Life (virtual world) for legal advocacy skills development and assessment for external students: a critical evaluation." Journal of Commonwealth Law and Legal Education. 8 (2), pp. 41-63.
The verity of summative MCQs assessment in first year law courses within a law program
Barnett, Eola and McNamara, Noeleen. 2011. "The verity of summative MCQs assessment in first year law courses within a law program." Building Business Communities: Justice, Performance and Change Creating a Sustainable Scholarly Community Colloquia (2011). Brisbane, Australia 09 Nov 2011 Toowoomba, Australia.
Embracing Wikipedia as a research tool for law: to Wikipedia or not to Wikipedia?
Barnett, Eola and Baer, Roslyn. 2011. "Embracing Wikipedia as a research tool for law: to Wikipedia or not to Wikipedia?" The Law Teacher. 45 (2), pp. 194-213. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069400.2011.578883
The verity of formative MCQs assessment in core criminal law courses within a law program
Barnett, Eola and McNamara, Noeleen. 2011. "The verity of formative MCQs assessment in core criminal law courses within a law program." Building Business Communities: Justice, Performance and Change Creating a Sustainable Scholarly Community Colloquia (2011). Brisbane, Australia 09 Nov 2011 Toowoomba, Australia.
A school's duty of care and the management of illicit drug related incidents
Barnett, Eola and McNamara, Noeleen. 2010. "A school's duty of care and the management of illicit drug related incidents." International Journal of Law and Education. 15 (1), pp. 41-53.
Sustainable juries: thinking outside peer criminal jury trials
Gray, Anthony and Barnett, Eola. 2010. "Sustainable juries: thinking outside peer criminal jury trials." Journal of Judicial Administration. 20 (1), pp. 18-38.