A Three-Step Framework for Assessment Design for Academic Integrity

A Three-Step Framework for Assessment Design for Academic Integrity

While no single approach to assessment design is adequate to solve academic integrity challenges, there is growing consensus that a combination of design approaches can be helpful. There is litle guidance, however for how to go about implementng this kind of multi-faceted approach to design. This paper reports on the findings of a funded project focussed on developing a website for assessment design in Pathways programs. We undertook students-as-partners workshops, staff interviews, and a literature review to inform a three-step framework for assessment design decisions aimed at supporting educators to mitigate academic integrity issues. The framework recommends assessment designers begin with the first step of designing the assessment to be meaningful and valuable for students. The second step is to incorporate a robust capacity for deterrence and detection. Two broad approaches to doing this are outlined: live demonstration or performance, and the development of close relationships between the assessor and the student work. A third step comprises an “assessment AI hygiene check” to eliminate obstacles to integrity caused by poor design, such as reusing questions, or failing to use detection software. Our framework provides suggestions and examples for each of the two first stages, and a checklist for the third.