Scriven describes the process of “evaluation” or “assessment” as requiring the gathering of data, establishing weightings, selecting goals and criteria in order to compare performances and justify each of these. In other words, to make a judgement we must decide on what elements are important, why these are important, how each element is important in relation to the others and finally, provide a justification of all the choices made. Assessment, according
to this definition, represents a choice which may require an ethical justification. It is not just an opinion which can be laden with our own prejudices and feelings, but a process which at least attempts to provide accountability for the action and decision.
This is the working definition which is used in the paper and it provides the justifications which are critical in ethical assessment.
The results of an assessment and what we do with these are directly linked to the parameters which have been decided before the assessment took place. That is, the criteria have indicated what the important points of focus, the outcome(s) signal the purpose(s) or function(s) of the assessment and the standards demonstrate and provide guidelines to the level required of the work. Any deviation or change in these aspects either during or after the assessment should
be signalled, explained