Conducting the Performance Test - Continued

DOE-STD-1012-92

evaluation standard whether the trainee's response was satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and if

unsatisfactory, the given response.

If questions are not included as a part of the evaluation standard, the instructor should

ask questions to assess knowledge and record them as previously described.

The instructor has the option of asking several different types of questions during the

performance test. (This applies equally well to the instructional technologist developing

questions as part of an evaluation standard or to the instructor who is administering a

performance test that was developed without questions.) The two most common question

types are the open-ended question and the closed-ended question. A good mix of these two

types of questions should provide the instructor with enough information to determine

whether or not the trainee has adequate knowledge.

The open-ended question places the burden of conversation on the trainee and gives

the instructor time to analyze what the trainee is saying. It reduces the total number of

questions asked. It is very useful when starting a line of questioning in a new subject area.

Open-ended questions also minimize the trainee's use of "key words and tricky phrases" by

reducing the chance of a pat answer straight from the text book. The following are two

examples of open-ended questions:

Describe the procedure for starting the recirculation pump

Explain how other systems are affected by performing this task.

Closed-ended questions are specific questions that are often answered with only one

or two words (e.g., Yes, No, Open, Closed, 150 psig). They may be used to clarify a

statement the trainee made in response to an open-ended question. Closed-ended questions

place the burden of conversation on the instructor in that he/she spends much more time

thinking of and stating the question than it takes the trainee to answer it. The following are

two examples of closed-ended questions:

Is there a danger of electrical shock while working on an energized motor controller?

What indications of a loss of pump prime are available to you at this control panel?

The instructor's use of leading questions should be minimized or avoided altogether.

In a leading question the instructor gives the trainee a partial answer and expects the trainee

to complete it, or gives the complete answer and expects the trainee to agree or disagree with

it. The trainee will usually say whatever he/she thinks the instructor wants to hear.