Checklist – An evaluation tool

A checklist is a type of informational job aid used to reduce failure by compensating for potential limits of human memory and attention. It helps to ensure consisting and completeness in carrying out a task. A basic example is to do list. A more advanced checklist which lays out tasks to be done according to time of a day or other factors. The checklist consists of a list of items with a place to check, or to mark yes or no.

Purpose of checklist

The main purpose of checklist is to call attention to various aspects of an object or situation, to see that nothing of importance is overlooked.

Responses to the checklist items are largely a matter of fact, not of judgment. It is an important tool in gathering facts for educational surveys.

Uses of checklist

Checklist is useful in educational field in the following way.

• To collect acts for educational surveys.
• To record behavior in observational studies.
• To use in educational appraisal, studies – of school buildings, property, plan, textbooks, instructional procedures and outcomes etc.
• To rate the personality.
• To know the interest of the subjects also. Kuder‘s interest inventory and Strong‘s Interest Blank are also checklists.

Hints on constructing checklist

• Items in the checklist may be continuous or divided into groups of related items.
• Items should be arranged in categories and the categories in a logical or psychological order.
• Terms used in the items should be clearly defined.
• Checklist should be continuous and comprehensive in nature.
• A pilot study should be taken to make it standardized.
• Checklist can be constructed in four different ways by arranging items differently.

Merits of checklist

• Students can measure their own behavior with the help of checklist.
• Easy and simple to use and frame the tools.
• Wanted and unwanted behaviors can be included.
• Personal – Social development can be checked.

Limitations of checklist

• Only the presence or absence of the ability can be tested.
• Yes or no type judgement can only be given.
• How much cannot be tested through checklist.

Advantages of checklist

• Quick and easy to implement.
• Provides specific information about specific objectives.
• Can point towards a trend of how and when skills have been acquired by the student as well as a group of students.