Comparative judgement: an overview

Abstract

There is a growing demand for the use of digital tools in assessment. Few approaches show innovative benefits beyond being logistical aids. Comparative judgment (CJ) has the potential to enhance educational practices by providing a mechanism for reliable assessment, supporting formative feedback, and by supporting critical discourse on evidence of learning. This chapter provides an overview of CJ as it has been used in educational assessment and describes how it can be facilitated by digitalisation by providing illustrative examples of research studies, mainly undertaken for formative purposes. Specifically, this chapter provides an introduction to CJ and a description of its theoretical roots, presents possible approaches and agendas for the use of CJ ranging from being a pedagogical tool in a classroom to being a mediator for continuing professional development, and discusses implications for practice and future research needs. Ultimately, it is envisaged that this chapter will act as a source of inspiration for educational stakeholders who wish to use CJ to add value to their practice.