We believe TOTALEXAM is an appropriate measure of learning outcomes in this study for two reasons. First, the key members of the teaching team responsible for delivering the subject remained constant across the period examined. Perhaps as a consequence, the format of the examination was consistent for each semester comprising the period under
study, in terms of both the types of questions asked and the subject content assessed. Second,the examination results used in the study were ascertained after the application of specific and detailed marking guides. While we recognize that such measures will not guarantee complete objectivity and consistency, we are confident that, taken together, these
factors work to enhance the consistency and objectivity of our learning outcomes measure.