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Reliability Programme research projects

Last updated on: 15/09/2009

Reliability programme to look at GCSE, A levels and vocational qualifications (June 2009)

Ofqual is commissioning a second round of research projects as part of the Reliability Programme.

Research teams and awarding bodies have been invited to submit bids to work on the programme, which aims to find out more about the reliability of results of assessments, tests and examinations.

The latest round of projects will look at a number of areas. These will include:

  • Internal consistency reliability of assessments. This research will focus on assessments where unreliability is seen as a major source of error, such as those using multiple choice.
  • Inter-awarding body grading consistency reliability. This research will focus on consistency of reliability of GCSE and A level grades from different awarding bodies.
  • Teacher assessment reliability.
  • Reliability of vocational and occupational qualifications.
  • Estimates of reliability of GCE A level and GCSE subjects.
  • Literature review of awarding body research into reliability.

All submissions must be with Ofqual by September 18 2009.

Dennis Opposs, Head of Standards, said: "We're very pleased to be commissioning the second round of research. These projects should help us to gain a much more detailed picture of the reliability of results of assessments at present, and will help us to create an Ofqual policy on reliability. This area is extremely important to learners who rely on their results to give an accurate picture of their achievements and this research will help us to understand more about exactly what students can expect from their results."

Research teams are currently working on the first round of projects and are set to report back before the end of the year.

Ofqual conducted a learner panel on the Reliability Programme with members of the UK Youth Parliament at their annual sitting in Canterbury in July. A report is being written and will be published shortly.

For more information on the Reliability Programme email reliabilityprogramme@ofqual.gov.uk