GlossaryGuide

Etym. Evaluation (noun) mid 19th century: back-formation from evaluation, from French évaluer, from es- (from Latin ex- ) ‘out, from’ + Old French value ‘value.’

A broad term for appraising data or placing a value on data gathered through one or more measurements. It involves rendering a judgment, including strengths and weaknesses. Evaluation measures quality and productivity against a standard of performance. (Bourke & Ihrke, 2016). Introduction to the evaluation process.

Definition
Formative Evaluation

• Evaluation wherein the facilitator’s focus is on the participant’s progress toward goal attainment through preset criteria; a process for an individual or group engaged in a simulation activity for the purpose of providing constructive feedback for that individual or group to improve. (National League for Nursing Simulation Innovation Resource Center, 2013).

Summative Evaluation

• Evaluation at the end of a learning period or at a discrete point in time in which participants are provided with feedback about their achievement of outcome through preset criteria; a process for determining the competence of a participant engaged in health care activity. The assessment of achievement of outcome criteria may be associated with an assigned grade. (ibid)