Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine methods of measure¬ment in library science courses; to determine opinions and problems of measurement of the faculty and students in 5 institutions, namely Chulalongkorn University, Thammasart University, Chiangmai University, Khon Kaen University, and Prince of Songkhla University at Pattani Campus; and to submit recommendations to the faculty for the improvement of measurement in library science courses. In this study, the questionnaires were sent to 42 faculty teaching undergraduate library science courses and to 108 fourth-year library science students during the first semester of the academic year of 1983. Thirty-four questionnaires (80.95 %) were returned by the faculty, and seventy-seven questionnaires (71.29 %) were returned by the library science students. The collected data were then analyzed by percentile and median. The correlation of variables was tested by x^2 and a median test was used in analyzing the variance of the faculty's and students' opinions on the measurement of library science courses. In addition, the library science courses of 5 universities were divided into 2 groups : theoretical content group, and skills group. The results of the study were summarized as follows : Most faculty of these 5 universities prepared course outlines which include grades roughly assigned to students' works. Most faculty explained a method of the course measurement in the first class hour and gave 2 tests : a mid-semester test, and a final test, which were agreed upon by the majority of students. Yet, many teaching members expressed that test should be administered regularly thoughout the Courses. Both faculty and students agreed that, for the theoretical content courses in most cases, the faculty aimed at measuring students' memorization and applications of theories. For each skills course, the faculty aimed at measuring an application of rules to actual works and attainable skills. Analysis of data on the correlation of behavior desired, measured with the course contents, revealed that a faculty based what he wanted to measure upon the contents of the course. In most cases, the faculty and students agreed that measurement of both, theoretical content and skills courses was carried out in a medium appropriate degree. Written examinations and writing term papers were most used in evaluation of theoretical content courses, and written and practical assignments were most used in evaluation of skills courses. Statistically, there was no significant correlation of a course measurement with course contents. This signified that a method of measurement the faculty used was not only based upon only the contents of a course, but also based on the objectives and a method of teaching. The students indicated that a method of measuring each course should be improved from a medium to a high degree, while the faculty expressed that a method of measuring each course should be improve to a minimum degree. The type of written examination which was most used by the faculty was a subjective test, and a matching objective test was least used. Both faculty and students ¬agreed to improved different types of tests to a medium degree. For an apportion of test scores of each course, in most cases, a faculty apportioned 40-60 for a mid semester test and a final examina¬tion. The faculty felt that this apportion of test scores was relatively appropriate, while the students expressed that an appropriate apportion of test scores should be 50-50 or 70-30. In an apportion of scores for theoretical parts and practical parts, most faculty apportioned 60-40 and 50-50. The faculty Seemed to agree that this apportion was the most appropriate, while the students believed that the most appropriate apportion of scores should be 40-60. In measurement of library science courses, most faculty aimed at evaluating students' apprehension and various skills. Other objective: of a course were evaluated in a medium degree. The students asserted that the faculty should improve the objectives of a course evaluation to a high degree. Problems of evaluation experienced by mast faculty were a selection of a method of measurement appropriate to a course, limited amount of time, and excessive contents of a course. The problems of Measuring students' behavior and using various types of tests occured to a medium degree. The problem of evaluation which the students experienced most was that the faculty aimed at testing memorization rather than other achievements. Recomendations. The faculty should :- - familiarize themselves with a method of measurement, a construction of tests, and a grading system. - set clear-cut objectives which to give to the students. - emphasize on practical ability rather than memorization. - utilize not only written tests but also other methods of evaluation. - let the students make comments on their method of measurement of library science courses.