Libraries: Empirical &amp; Quantitative Skills: Core Objective Recommendations

Definining Q&E Skills

Texas Higher Education and Coordinating Board

Manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions

Houston Community College

The ability to draw conclusions based on the systematic analysis of topics using observation, experiment, and/or numerical skills

Develop a definition of Empirical and Quantitative Skills that is relevant to your program. Your definition should be consistent with THECB's and HCC's definitions of EQS and include these elements:

Manipulation of data
Manipulation of observable facts
Methods of systematic analysis such as observation, experiment, mathematical analyses
Process of reaching informed conclusions

Sample Q&A Questions

Examples of Assessments

Assess how well students can:

summarize the pattern of results in a graph without making inappropriate inferences,
evaluate how strongly correlational data support hypotheses,
provide alternative explanations for a pattern of results that has many possible causes,
identify additional information needed to evaluate a hypothesis/interpretation,
evaluate whether spurious relationships strongly support a claim,
provide alternative explanations for spurious relationships,
identify additional information needed to evaluate a hypothesis/interpretation,
determine whether an invited inference in an advertisement is supported by information,
provide relevant alternative interpretations of information,
separate relevant from irrelevant information,
analyze and integrate information from multiple sources to solve a real-world problem,
use basic math skills to solve a real-world problem,
identify suitable solutions for a real-world problem using relevant information
identify and explain the best solution for a real-world problem using relevant information, and
explain how changes in a real-world problem might affect the solution.

Adapted from the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College.

Use Performance Indicators

Core Assessment Faculty Survey Q&E Performance Indicators
These are results from a survey of HCC faculty.

AACU Quantitative Literacy Rubric
The VALUE rubrics were developed by teams of faculty experts representing colleges and universities across the United States through a process that examined many existing campus rubrics and related documents for each learning outcome and incorporated additional feedback from faculty.
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The rubrics articulate fundamental criteria for each learning outcome, with performance descriptors demonstrating progressively more sophisticated levels of attainment. The rubrics are intended for institutional-level use in evaluating and discussing student learning, not for grading. The core expectations articulated in all 16 of the VALUE rubrics can and should be translated into the language of individual campuses, disciplines, and even courses. The utility of the VALUE rubrics is to position learning at all undergraduate levels within a basic framework of expectations such that evidence of learning can by shared nationally through a common dialog and understanding of student success.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills Toolbox
Student demonstration of empirical skills and quantitative skills often includes:

(1) understanding mathematical forms;
(2) using relevant information to make accurate mathematical representations;
(3) successfully completing calculations in an organized manner; and
(4) making judgments and drawing conclusions from the analysis of mathematical data.

University of Virginia Quantitative Reasoning Outcomes
At the associate level, the student:
Presents accurate calculations and symbolic operations, and explains how such calculations and operations are used in either his or her specific field of study or in interpreting social and economic trends.
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A graduating fourth-year undergraduate at the University of Virginia will be able to
Interpret mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and schematics, and draw inferences from them.

Communicate mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically, and verbally.
Use arithmetical, algebraic, and geometric methods to solve problems.
Estimate and check answers to mathematical problems in order to determine reasonableness.
Solve word problems using quantitative techniques and interpret the results.
Apply mathematical/statistical techniques and logical reasoning to produce predictions, identify optima, and make inferences based on a given set of data or quantitative information.
Judge the soundness and accuracy of conclusions derived from quantitative information, recognizing that mathematical and statistical methods have limits and discriminating between association and causation.
Solve multistep problems.
Apply statistics to evaluate claims and current literature.
Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental issues of statistical inference, including measurement and sampling.

Empirical & Quantitative Skills: Core Objective Recommendations

Definining Q&E Skills

Sample Q&A Questions

Examples of Assessments

Use Performance Indicators

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