PEER EVALUATION PROCESS

In most human organizations, it is common for one's performance and rewards to be dependent upon the actions and performance of others. This is also the situation in this course through the professor’s evaluation of various group assignments.

We are also constantly being evaluated by our peers; groups frequently have the power to give rewards to individual members. This will also be your experience in this course through the process of peer evaluation and subsequent adjustments of the group grade. As a result, individual members of a group may receive different grades for a given assignment.

The peer evaluation process not only simulates reality but also highlights several aspects of group functioning. These include:

* Peer evaluation and its impact on a group

* Group pressures, both positive and negative

* Power distribution in the group

* Individual influence and potential to resolve problems resulting from the above

* The value and impact of open discussion of differing contributions to group performance

* The impact of differential rewards on group performances and internal relationships

* The possibility of individual learning through knowledge of others' perceptions, feelings, and needs

Each group may want to establish explicit criteria for peer evaluation and to openly discuss those evaluations so that each member has the benefit of others' perceptions of her/his actions.

 

1. Group assignments will be graded by the instructor. Grades will be numerical.
2. Each group assignment must be accompanied by instructions from each group for the distribution of the grade in terms of the contribution of each individual member. Give the professor 2 copies of the grade sheet.
3. Contribution to the assignment must be indicated by percentage and must average out to 100 percent for the group. Each group determines the nature of appropriate contribution.
4. The percentage given to any participating individual member can vary between 60 percent and 120 percent. Discussion is recommended on standards.
5. A percentage score of 0 percent must be given to group members who do not participate--no matter what the reason--in the production of the group assignment. This is the only reason for a 0 percentage for individual contribution. (Requests for excuses from participation in a group assignment can be made to the instructor; this will be granted only under exceptional circumstances and only with the assent of the group. The maximum score an individual working alone can receive in this circumstance is 70%.)
6. If a 0 percentage is assigned to a group member, the average of 100 percent for the group will be determined by excluding the absent member. Only active participants receive an individual contribution score.
7. Group grades will be returned together with the grades of individuals, determined by multiplying the group grade times the contribution percentage assigned to the individual.

EXAMPLE...The group has received a score of 90% on its assignment.

1

2

3
Group Members (List Full Names in Alphabetical Order)

Individual Contribution %*

Group Grade

Individual Grade
Alpha

95%

90%

85%
Beta

100%

90%

90%
Gamma

95%

90%

85%
Seta

120%

90%

100%**
Guessed

80%

90%

72%
Wondered

110%

90%

99%
Total

600

539
Average

100%

90

* The group determines appropriate individual contributions in advance.

** The maximum individual grade assigned by the professor is 100%.

Column 1 will be filled out by each group and accompanies the group assignment. The instructor scores the assignment and returns the form with columns 2 and 3 filled in. This format may be used.

Since each group is a self-organizing system, the decision making process will vary.