A quantitative and qualitative study of changes in the use of learning outcomes and distractions by students and tutors during a biology poster assessment

Learning outcomes are statements of intended learning within a module. In practice, students may consider various options when undertaking assessments. They may feel they can meet the stated learning outcomes by demonstrating other aspects of study which are termed distractions. Thirty-three undergraduate students' constructed scientific posters and completed questionnaires prior to and on the day of poster submission. Additionally, ten of these students were interviewed. Analysis of questionnaire data using principle components analysis and interview data by clustering units of relevant meaning revealed that students did not differentiate between learning outcomes and distractions, both of which steered their learning during the assessment. These results are discussed within the context of assessment tasks and implications for practice.