Determining Value, Merit, and Worth
To evaluate quality or worth, specify what you are assessing, why, what information you need, and which standards apply. Elder and Paul distinguish questions answerable within an agreed system from those requiring judgment among competing views.
THE IDEA
Determining Value, Merit, and Worth
Evaluative questions are questions that call on us to determine the value, worth or quality of something or someone. Assessment is integral to virtually all human experience and can be done well or poorly. Our ability to effectively evaluate what is going on and how to act in a situation is directly determined by the quality of the questions we ask in the situation.
Essential Questions for Assessment
- What am I assessing and why?
- What precise questions am I trying to answer?
- What information will I need to adequately complete this assessment?
- What criteria or standards will I use in the assessment process?
- Are there any potentially negative implications of my mode of evaluation?
- Is my plan for evaluation logical, realistic, and practical?
Two Types of Evaluative Questions
All evaluative questions fall into two categories: one system and conflicting system. Evaluative questions are not to be confused with questions of preference (for which subjective choice is the determining factor). See page 9 for an introduction to the three types of questions.
Evaluative questions (that can be definitively answered):
- Given industry ratings, what are the best windows for withstanding strong winds?
- Which automobile has the best survival rate in head-on collisions?
- Given industry standards, is this a good hammer for general carpentry?
- What is the quality of air in the Los Angeles area?
Evaluative questions (that call for reasoned judgment between conflicting views):
- What type of car should I buy?
- What type of refrigerator will best suit our needs?
- How should we design this house so as to meet the needs of the family?
- Should I pursue a new career?
When to use it
An educator assessing student projects uses evaluative questions to determine quality based on predefined criteria.
A business evaluating product features for a new model applies a systematic assessment to compare alternatives.
A consumer faced with a major purchase decides by asking structured evaluative questions to weigh options.
A policy maker evaluating the effectiveness of a program uses the essential questions to frame the assessment.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Definitively Answered Questions
Examples: Given industry ratings, what are the best windows for withstanding strong winds? Which automobile has the best survival rate in head-on collisions? Given industry standards, is this a good hammer for general carpentry? What is the quality of air in the Los Angeles area?
Questions Requiring Reasoned Judgment
Examples: What type of car should I buy? What type of refrigerator will best suit our needs? How should we design this house so as to meet the needs of the family? Should I pursue a new career?
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
In your current project or decision, what evaluative question are you trying to answer? Is it definitively answerable or does it require reasoned judgment?
What criteria or standards are you using to assess value? Are they appropriate and well-defined?
Are you confusing a personal preference question with an evaluative question? What distinguishes them?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- The Art of Asking Essential Questions Based on Critical Thinking Concepts and Socratic Principles (Linda Elder, Richard Paul)