Difference Between Measurement and Evaluation

Measurement is a systematic process of determining the attributes of an object. It ascertains how fast, tall, dense, heavy, broad, something is. However, one can make measurements of physical attributes only and if one has to measure those attributes which cannot be measured with the help of tools. That is where the need for evaluation arises. It helps in passing value judgement about the policies, performances, method, techniques, strategies, effectiveness, etc. of teaching.

Measurement provides a solid base to make an evaluation, as you have something concrete to make a comparison between the objects. Further, Evaluation has a crucial role to play in reforming the learning and teaching process and suggesting changes in the curriculum.

In this post, we will talk about the differences between measurement and evaluation.

Content: Measurement Vs Evaluation

Comparison Chart

Definition of Measurement

When one of the sets of numerals is assigned to each set of objects, be it person or commodity, as per the accepted rules or standards and described in standard words, units and symbols, so as to characterize the status of that object it is called as measurement. In education, measurement implies the quantitative assessment of the student’s performance in an exam.

It is a mechanical process, which involves the systematic study of the attributes with the help of appropriate assessment tools. It transforms the variable into variate, which is effective in making deductions. For instance, Intelligence is measured in terms of IQ, and the result variable is measured as scores.

Further, it is helpful in comparing the performance of various students as well as in highlighting their positive and negative points.

Types of Measurement

• Physical Measurement: The measurement of an object which materially exists, it is called as physical measurement. For instance, measurement of height or weight of an individual using a measuring tape or weighing machine, starting from zero points.
• Mental Measurement: Otherwise called as psychological measurement. It is not defined in absolute terms, rather it is relative. It is not measured with the help of any instrument but on the basis of the individual’s response or critical observation. For instance, measuring the amount of work done by an individual is psychological or mental measurement.

Definition of Evaluation

Evaluation can be defined as the act of assigning value to the measure. It is a systematic and continuous process wherein the analysis of the outcome derived from the measurement of the characteristic of the object, person or activity is performed as per the defined standards. Further, the relative position of the person, object or activity is ascertained, on the basis of the characteristic.

In evaluation. what we do is, we pass judgement regarding how suitable, desirable or valuable something is. In education, evaluation alludes to the overall assessment of the progress of the student, with respect to:

• Defined objectives
• Efficiency of teaching and
• Effectiveness of the curriculum.

It acts like an ‘inbuilt monitor’, within the system, that tends to review the learning progress, at various points in time. It also provides feedback on various aspects of the educational systems, such as on teaching to the teachers and on learning to the learners.

So we can conclude that:

Evaluation = Quantitative description + Qualitative Description + Value Judgement

where, the quantitative description includes facts and figures and the qualitative description includes ranking, weightage and value.

Hence, in evaluation, the knowledge of the student/learner is not the only aspect which is considered, rather all the aspects which are important for his/her development are taken into consideration.

So, evaluation covers four different aspects, namely:

• Objectives
• Learning Experiences
• Learner’s appraisal
• Relationship between the above three

It aims at ascertaining the progress of the student, reforming the system of education and increasing the answerability for outcomes.

Key Differences Between Measurement and Evaluation

Check out the point stated below, to understand the differences between measurement and evaluation:

1. Measurement can be understood as the process of determining the attributes and dimensions of a physical object. On the other hand, evaluation is an ongoing process of measuring and assigning qualitative meaning, by passing value judgements.
2. Measurement accounts for the observations which can be expressed numerically, i.e. quantitative observations. Conversely, evaluation includes both quantitative and qualitative observations.
3. Measurement entails the assignment of numerals to the person or object as per the certain rules. As against, evaluation involves the assignment of grades, level or symbols according to established standards.
4. While measurement focuses on one or more attributes or traits of a person or object, evaluation covers all the aspects including cognitive, affective and psychomotor learning.
5. Measurement analyses how much, how tall, how fast, how hot, how far or how small something is and that too in numerical terms. In contrast, evaluation answers how well something is which is done by adding meaning or value judgement to the measurement.
6. With measurement, one cannot make logical assumptions about the learner, but this is not in the case of evaluation.
7. Measurement consumes less time and energy as it uses tools or measuring devices, to serve the purpose. As against, evaluation requires observation and it passes value judgement, which consumes time and energy.
8. When it comes to scope, measurement has a limited scope because it takes into account only a number of dimensions of personality or attribute. But, evaluation covers all the dimensions before passing value judgement. Moreover, the evaluation includes measurement. Hence, its scope is wider.
9. Measurement is content-oriented whereas evaluation is objective oriented.

Examples

Let us take an example, in which we will take some attributes of a student of 5th standard, to measure and evaluate

Explanation
In the first case, the measurement of weight of the student is 42 kg, wherein kg denotes the rule according to which weight is to be measured. On the other hand, in case of evaluation, the weight is categorized into three groups, i.e. 18 kg to 28 kg is considered as thin, 28 kg to 38 kg is considered as average, while 38 kg to 48 kg is considered as Fat.

Similarly, in the second case, we measured that the student covered the 100-meter distance in just 40 seconds, wherein m/s is the unit of measurement. Now when we evaluate, the running speed is categorized into three parts, i.e. up to 50 seconds fast, 50 to 75 seconds average and more than 75 seconds is slow.

In the last case, the student scored 350 marks in the test out of total 500 marks, wherein marks are the unit of measurement. Now when we evaluate, the mental ability is divided into three parts, in which the students scoring 400 to 500 marks will be allotted Grade A, 300 to 400 marks will be allotted Grade B and students scoring less than 300 marks will be allotted Grade C.

So, what we have done here is, we divided the weight, running speed, marks into different grades and then made a comparison of the actual achievement of the student with the predetermined standards for the purpose of evaluation.

Conclusion

So, with the above discussion, you might have understood that evaluation is an indispensable part of the educational system which includes measurement. It helps in making improvement in teaching and learning, establishing objectives, determining learning experiences and assessing the performance of the learner.