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Criterion 5

The assessment programme demonstrates a commitment to scholarship and innovation, including the dissemination of good practice. 

The panel takes a broad view of scholarship, recognising that an impact of ‘knowledge’ through educational research, publications and presentations can be challenging to achieve for some organisations. The panel encourage applicants to look how this activity can be evidenced in other ways - e.g. through the impact on ‘people’ (advisory and faculty development), improvements in ‘processes’ (e.g. assessment techniques or innovative uses of technology) and policies (e.g. contribution to work that enhances assessment policy more widely, such as leadership or membership of national or international groups). 

Examples of evidence that might be provided: 

• List of innovations in assessment with associated evaluation reports (local or external). 
• Description of what is new, different, unique about the institution’s approach to assessment. Explanation and evidence for these claims. 
• Evidence of the adoption of newer, evidenced-based assessment methods to replace older traditional methods. 
• Evidence that assessment methods are generally well supported by the assessment literature either as practical and effective processes or by good theoretical justification (this can be through the application of others’ work to justify the innovation in the applicant). 
• Reports of impact, innovation and scholarship, evidence of uptake elsewhere in the institution (e.g. supporting innovation in other departments) or at other institutions. Evidence can include testimonials, successful grant funding for work in assessment, and indications that the work described in these outlets has been implemented locally. 
• Evidence that a School is sufficiently confident in its processes as to be willing to share and debate them with others (e.g. providing support, guidance and critical friendship to other individuals and/or institutions). 

These examples are provided by reviewers and are intended to be indicative rather than exhaustive. You may have other evidence that would be equally important and which support your case for excellence.