This document discusses a research study that investigated whether implementing peer review of learner assignments would alleviate the time required for marking assignments and improve the marking process. The study involved four participants marking assignments with and without peer review. Results showed an observed time savings of 9 minutes per hour of marking on average among participants. Participants also observed improvements in learner work such as fewer mistakes and better answers to questions. Most participants said they would recommend the peer review practice to their peers due to the time savings in marking.

1. Will implementing a peer review policy for learner assignments
alleviate time required for marking and improve the marking
process?
Adam
Peters
Supporting
Presentation

2. Will
implementing a
peer review
policy for learner
assignments
alleviate time
required for
marking and
improve the
marking process?
Adam
Peters
Research
Design

3. ReflectionWriting Up
Analysing
data
Collecting
data
MethodEthics
Gaining
access
Literature
review
The
research
question
Choosing a
topic
1
Figure 1:
Research Pathways.
Adapted from Hitchcock et al. (1995 p.78)

4. 2
Figure 2:
The Action
Reflection Cycle.
Adapted from
McNiff (1988 p.44)

5. 3
Peer reviews work against
assignment brief, grading
criteria and checks for SPAG.
Learner completes work for
the deadline and submits to
peer for review.
Amendments suggested and
returned to learner for
updating, or, work approved
for submission to lecturer.
Usual marking process
adhered to by lecturer.
Amendments
Posed
Approved for submission
Figure 3
The Peer-
Review Process
Map

6. 4
I developed a clear research question which provided a foundation to refer any potential
survey questions back to and ensure they are pertinent to the enquiry. The overarching
research question helped create sub-questions to explore the topic.
From the broader and sub-questions generated ,those most relevant can be selected and
the best format for the question considered. The author provided six key formats to
ensure clarity and purpose.
The main consideration was to ensure the questions were in a logical order. As all the
questions are related to the same topic they were able to fall within the same section.
As the research question is relatively focussed, the survey will be short and succinct, this
makes analysis easier to complete. Utilising an online platform such as survey monkey
means that the questionnaire was accessible, easy to complete and well presented
This is an area that was not fully addressed due to time restrictions. This is likely to lead to
issues with its design and is mentioned later in the critique of the research process.
At this point all participants were been briefed and provided with information on the
process to take place. Questionnaires were emailed to participants email addresses
directly. The data was able to be coded and exported for further analysis.
Application of Anderson’s (2002) six-step model for creating high quality questionnaires.Figure 4:

7. Will
implementing a
peer review
policy for learner
assignments
alleviate time
required for
marking and
improve the
marking process?
Adam
Peters
Key
Findings

8. 5
PARTICIPANT
A
PARTICIPANT
B
PARTICIPANT
C
PARTICIPANT
D
16
19
14
20
NUMBER OF SCRIPTS MARKED
100 %
Observed “noticeable” time
saved on marking
15 %
Mean perceived time saved
marking

9. 6
Participant perceived time saving. Represented as minutes per
hour of marking.
Maximum Minimum Average
12 6 9

10. 7
A B C D
Questions were answered
fully.
Less mistakes were required
to be corrected.
Less scripts were returned
to learners for
amendments.
Less re-submissions were
set.
Scripts required less
annotation.
More students passed the
assignment first time.
Observed time saving
consequences:
Questions were answered
fully.
Less mistakes were required
to be corrected.
Less scripts were returned
to learners for
amendments.
Observed time saving
consequences:
Less mistakes were required
to be corrected.
Less re-submissions were
set.
Scripts required less
annotation.
Scripts were quicker to
read.
Observed time saving
consequences:
Questions were answered
fully.
Less mistakes were required
to be corrected.
Less scripts were returned
to learners for
amendments.
Scripts required less
annotation.
More students passed the
assignment first time.
Observed time saving
consequences:
Scripts were quicker to
read.

11. 8
Participants observed improvements in Spelling
Participants observed improvements in punctuation
Participants observed improvements in grammar
Participants observed improvements in structure
4
3
2
2
Observed
non-topic related
improvements in
learner work

12. 25%
One participant
suggested learners
would tire of the
practice and would
struggle to regularly
engage them
75%
All 3 of these
participants cited time
saving reasons for
wanting to recommend
the practice to peers
Would you recommend peers adopt this
practice?
No
Yes
9

13. Will
implementing a
peer review
policy for learner
assignments
alleviate time
required for
marking and
improve the
marking process?
Adam
Peters
References

14. 10
Anderson (2002) Fundamentals of Educational Leadership, London, Routledge-Falmer
Hitchcock, D.H., Hitchcock, G. and Hughes, D., (1995) Research and the teacher: A qualitative
introduction to school-based research. London. Psychology Press.
McNiff, J. (1988) Action Research: Practice and Principles. London: Routledge.