Introduction

Random sampling is a probabilistic strategy where all students in the course have a non-zero chance of being selected. There are many different ways to perform random sampling:

• Draw names out of a hat.
• Select every "nth" student (where n = number of students / number of products to report).
• Use a random number generator or a list randomizer.
• Use the "=rand()" function in Microsoft Excel and select the students with the largest random number.

Random sampling can be performed at the course level or, in the case of courses with large numbers of sections, at the section level.

How Many Student Products Should be Selected?

The ACE Governance Documents require a "reasonable sample (at least three)" of student products. However, class size, assessment product characteristics, and the procedures described in the approved ACE course proposal are important considerations in selecting the number of products. Because some class sizes can be very large, it is recommended that when random sampling, an instructor should select 10% of student products to fairly represent the potential distribution of performances across students in the course.

Examples

I teach a course that enrolls 25 students each semester. The ACE assessment product is a final research paper.
Suggested strategy: Draw the names of three students out of a hat. Submit the final research paper for each of these three students. Include the student NUID number on each paper.

I teach a large introductory course with over 100 students each semester. The ACE assessment product is a multiple-choice exam.
Suggested strategy: Use the random number generator in Microsoft Excel to identify three student names. Submit the multiple-choice exams for each of these three students. Include the student NUID number on each exam. In addition, submit a summary of student achievement (e.g., mean number correct, etc.) across all students in the course.

I teach a capstone course that enrolls 13 students each spring. The ACE assessment product is a group project completed in groups of three.
Suggested strategy: Submit all five student group products. Include the student NUID numbers on each product.