Using Generalizability Theory to examine the effects of presentation order on classroom observation scores

BackgroundScores from classroom observations serve as important pieces of information for educational researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. However, scoring procedures typically remain untested. This study aims to investigate the effect of sequential and nonsequential scoring of lesson segme...

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Main Authors: Armin Jentsch, Bas Senden, Nani Teig, Trude Nilsen, Johannes König, Gabriele Kaiser
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Education
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1547204/full
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author Armin Jentsch
Bas Senden
Nani Teig
Trude Nilsen
Johannes König
Gabriele Kaiser
Gabriele Kaiser
author_facet Armin Jentsch
Bas Senden
Nani Teig
Trude Nilsen
Johannes König
Gabriele Kaiser
Gabriele Kaiser
author_sort Armin Jentsch
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundScores from classroom observations serve as important pieces of information for educational researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. However, scoring procedures typically remain untested. This study aims to investigate the effect of sequential and nonsequential scoring of lesson segments from videotaped Norwegian mathematics and science classrooms.MethodsUsing a cross-over design, we randomly assigned four raters to score 30 videotaped lessons in sequential (SEQ) or nonsequential (NON) 20-min segments. We explored means as well as correlations across conditions and conducted Generalizability Studies (G Studies) to estimate the precision of scores.ResultsWe found marginal fluctuations in scores across conditions, and correlation analysis indicated similar rankings of lessons and classrooms. However, G Studies reveal that nonsequential scoring captures a greater proportion of between-classroom variance, while sequential scoring captures more variance between lessons. This also implies that the precision of scores varies across conditions and the unit of analysis.ConclusionThe findings suggest that scoring procedures could affect decision-making drawing on scores from classroom observation. We argue, however, that results depend to some extent on the observation system used to generate the scores. Therefore, we encourage researchers to replicate our findings with other observation systems.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Education
spelling doaj-art-528eba6cd9294a7fb5403adb6850d5df2025-08-20T02:15:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2025-05-011010.3389/feduc.2025.15472041547204Using Generalizability Theory to examine the effects of presentation order on classroom observation scoresArmin Jentsch0Bas Senden1Nani Teig2Trude Nilsen3Johannes König4Gabriele Kaiser5Gabriele Kaiser6Department of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayFaculty of Human Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, GermanyFaculty of Education, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, GermanyFaculty of Education and Arts, Nord University, Bodø, NorwayBackgroundScores from classroom observations serve as important pieces of information for educational researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. However, scoring procedures typically remain untested. This study aims to investigate the effect of sequential and nonsequential scoring of lesson segments from videotaped Norwegian mathematics and science classrooms.MethodsUsing a cross-over design, we randomly assigned four raters to score 30 videotaped lessons in sequential (SEQ) or nonsequential (NON) 20-min segments. We explored means as well as correlations across conditions and conducted Generalizability Studies (G Studies) to estimate the precision of scores.ResultsWe found marginal fluctuations in scores across conditions, and correlation analysis indicated similar rankings of lessons and classrooms. However, G Studies reveal that nonsequential scoring captures a greater proportion of between-classroom variance, while sequential scoring captures more variance between lessons. This also implies that the precision of scores varies across conditions and the unit of analysis.ConclusionThe findings suggest that scoring procedures could affect decision-making drawing on scores from classroom observation. We argue, however, that results depend to some extent on the observation system used to generate the scores. Therefore, we encourage researchers to replicate our findings with other observation systems.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1547204/fullteaching qualityobservation systemsgeneralizability theoryclassroom observationvalidity
spellingShingle Armin Jentsch
Bas Senden
Nani Teig
Trude Nilsen
Johannes König
Gabriele Kaiser
Gabriele Kaiser
Using Generalizability Theory to examine the effects of presentation order on classroom observation scores
Frontiers in Education
teaching quality
observation systems
generalizability theory
classroom observation
validity
title Using Generalizability Theory to examine the effects of presentation order on classroom observation scores
title_full Using Generalizability Theory to examine the effects of presentation order on classroom observation scores
title_fullStr Using Generalizability Theory to examine the effects of presentation order on classroom observation scores
title_full_unstemmed Using Generalizability Theory to examine the effects of presentation order on classroom observation scores
title_short Using Generalizability Theory to examine the effects of presentation order on classroom observation scores
title_sort using generalizability theory to examine the effects of presentation order on classroom observation scores
topic teaching quality
observation systems
generalizability theory
classroom observation
validity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1547204/full
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