Difference Between Formative and Summative Evaluation in DNP
Most students don’t know the difference between formative and summative evaluation in DNP. You’re possibly wondering why on earth you should ever want to know the differences, and you’re not alone!
I’ll separate you from the crowd with 7 potent tips to ace both formative and summative DNP coursework. That’s going to be our chaser, so let’s first deal with the entrée!
What Are Formative and Summative Evaluations in DNP?
Both formative and summative DNP evaluations make up vital measurement tools that assess learner progress and outcomes in nursing education. But why don’t we first define these scary mouthfuls?
Formative DNP Evaluation: Conducted throughout the learning process to monitor progress, provide feedback, and improve teaching and learning strategies.
Summative DNP Evaluation: Administered at the end of a program or course to assess overall achievement and readiness for certification or accreditation.
11 Differences Between Formative and Summative DNP Evaluation
In their 2019 paper, Bilal A. B. and Jeelani, B. collaborate Trumbull and Lash (2013) explanations on the typical dimensions of formative and summative DNP assessments. This perfectly fits Michael Scriven’s table of definition, objectives, differences, and how evaluation categories seek and use evaluation results.
The table below outlines 11 differences between formative and summative DNP evaluation.
Formative Evaluation |
Summative Evaluation |
| Purpose:
Scaffolded (with teacher support), brief, process-oriented DNP evaluation for improvement. |
Individually performed, extended, product-oriented DNP evaluation to measure outcomes. |
| Feedback:
Immediate and continuous feedback, usually provided by peers or the mentor. |
Delayed feedback (mostly provided by the professor, a team of lecturers, or assessors) with emphasis on final grades. |
| Focus:
Continually helps identify barriers to implementing best practices, leading to improved patient care. |
Determines if a healthcare student is ready for DNP certification and accreditation, usually at the end of the course.
|
| Impact:
Formative assignments help the teacher to identify problems with teaching methodologies (teaching / learning approaches) and to adjust their instruction strategies. |
Summative evaluation determines whether a student meets the program’s objectives or the faculty’s graduation criteria. |
| Benefits:
Formative evaluation aids instructors to improve student motivation and engagement by closing gaps between current and desired performance. |
Summative tests compare the particular school’s DNP program to a global standard, thereby helping institutions to make a judgment about the program’s quality. |
| Resubmission:
Formative assessment has opportunities for resubmission of task-based assignments. The instructor shares study or process strategies that a DNP student may use to succeed in a detailed assessment feedback. |
Summative evaluation doesn’t allow for resubmission, and the only feedback shared to the DNP student is the final grade that evaluates student success
|
| Criteria:
Often uses informal marking criteria and is highly subjective in awarding marks. |
Uses formal, standardized marking checklists to increase assessor(s) objectivity. |
| Research Methodology:
Ideally involves qualitative research methods. |
Summative DNP evaluation mostly involves quantitative research methodologies. |
| Control:
Spontaneous, teacher-controlled, individual evaluation embedded in lesson plans. |
Scheduled, student-initiated, group assessment that measures stand-alone nursing achievements. |
| Frequency:
Students are assessed throughout their institute life, the semester, or DNP program. |
Summative evaluation is a once-off affair, and is the last activity that closes your DNP course. |
| Examples:
Typical forms of formative DNP evaluations are clinical scenario simulations, sit-in exams, and the review of individual DNP courses, and in-person interviews. These may come in physical manifestations such as: One-minute papers, Self-assessment, Exit tickets / slips, Low-stakes group work, Pre-class open-ended questions, Dipsticks, 3x Summarization, and Think-Pair-Share tests. |
Examples include final exams, capstone papers, final essays / presentetions, and graded final project reports (portfolios). Standardized tests like Standardized Assessment Tests (SATs) and Medical College Admissions Tests (MCATs) are summative assessments. |
Table 1.1: The differences between formative and summative healthcare assignments.
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Modern Examples of Formative Assessments in Nursing Education
Formative DNP evaluation processes monitor progress and provide necessary feedback to help students learn and improve their healthcare skills. Apex nursing practice calls for cumulative competencies, and there’s no better way to monitor skill comprehension than a formative test. Modern examples of formative assessments in nursing education include:
- Requiring students to draw a concept map to represent topical understanding.
- Submission of one-page summaries of interconnected lectures.
- Clinical preceptor feedback (practice evaluations by mentors or faculty).
- Oral assignments and filling in survey tests.
- Turning in a detailed research proposal for approval and early feedback before starting off with your DNP capstone project.
- Weekly quizzes, scheduled homework assignments, and one-minute reflections at the end of a class.
4 Core Elements of Formative DNP Assessment
- Identifying the Gap ~ Formative DNP assessments helps both the learner and their professor to understand the gap between current and desired performance.
- Feedback ~ This type of evaluation provides actionable, timely guidance.
- Student Involvement – Formative DNP assignments encourage self-reflection and peer evaluations.
- Learning Progressions through setting clear milestones for continuous improvement.
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Summative evaluations assess whether students have achieved their learning objectives and are ready for professional practice. We’re home to the best online summative DNP assignment help. Some of the best practices we uphold include:
- Clear objectives that positively showcase a DNP student’s understanding of program goals.
- Organic assessments help convincing the assessor you’re ready to inject fresh medical insights in real-world nursing scenarios through evidence-based research.
- Compliance with standardized evaluation criteria. We consistently check all DNP assessment rubrics, ensuring you pass fair and square.
- Student involvement: we encourage self-assessment before placing an order and mentor you through DNP coaching to promote accountability.
- Help with Pilot Testing and Trial Evaluations to refine assessment tools against a global standard, no matter your geographical location.
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Sometimes, Formative and Summative DNP Evaluation Complement Each Other in Ipsative Assessments
In some cases, a single test can serve both formative and summative purposes. This test combination ensures that DNP learning is both adaptive and measurable. Capstone project phases submitted at various stages of completion are formatively assessed, while the whole project is considered a summative evaluation.
The above example may also fall under a third DNP evaluation sub-category, Diagnostic Assessments, if you include the project proposal! Med schools may choose this diagnostic examination to identify student strengths and weaknesses either before or during a learning cycle. This especially happens after changes in the DNP curriculum, when faculty heads wish to pinpoint areas to provide syllabus support.
Read more on Diagnostic Exams here.
7 Tips to Ace Formative and Summative DNP Assessments
If you want excellent grades in formative and summative DNP assignments, here’s 7 golden tips according to Robert E. Stake from the University of Illinois:
- Tip #1: Break down questions. Identify key themes in assignments or exams.
- Tip #2: Research thoroughly. Use reliable, peer-reviewed sources for your work.
- Tip #3: Start early. Avoid last-minute rushes by managing your time effectively.
- Tip #4: Plan strategically. Create outlines and set deadlines for milestones.
- Tip #5: Seek feedback. Consult with mentors, your professor, and peers and always gather constructive input.
- Tip #6: Practice and revise. Regularly revisit weak areas to strengthen your understanding.
- Tip #7: Finally, stay organized. Keep your study space tidy and distraction-free.
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Written by: Amy Kaufman DNP, MSN, RN