Why are some questions marked as "needing improvement" when clearly they do not need improving?
When questions or feedback are marked as "needing improvement," it is often due to several reasons that may not be immediately apparent to the person receiving the feedback. Here are some possible explanations:
Misalignment with Expectations
The feedback provider may have certain expectations or standards that the question or performance does not meet. This could be due to a misunderstanding of the criteria or a difference in perspective on what constitutes improvement4.
Specific Behavioral Focus
Feedback is often more effective when it focuses on specific behaviors or actions rather than general judgments. If the feedback is too vague or targets personality rather than behavior, it may be seen as needing improvement to make it more actionable and less defensive4.
Lack of Clarity or Specificity
Questions or performances might be marked as needing improvement if they lack clarity, specificity, or clear goals. For instance, in the ARCH feedback model, it is emphasized that feedback should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, engaging, and rewarding (SMARTER goals) to help the learner understand what needs to be improved and how to achieve it2.
Contextual Factors
The context in which the question or performance is evaluated can also play a role. For example, in a professional or academic setting, certain standards or best practices may need to be adhered to, and any deviation from these could result in feedback indicating a need for improvement.
Subjective Judgment
Feedback can sometimes be subjective, and what one person sees as clear and effective, another might view as needing improvement. This subjective nature can lead to discrepancies in how feedback is received and interpreted.
In summary, questions or performances are marked as needing improvement typically because they lack specificity, do not meet certain expectations or standards, or require a more focused and actionable approach to correction.