Norm across responses

The Norm across Responses group element calculates the average of all responses in a group such as department or college. The averages are calculated based on a grouping field that is specified in the element. This grouping field is any of the available course or instructor fields present in the datasource.

In a department level report, this group element returns the average of all responses for the courses in that particular department that share a particular attribute (such as all lab sessions).

Each rater response has the same weight as all the other responses, that is, Norm across responses is calculated as:

Group element configuration

The above image is taken from a regular course-instructor evaluation. There is one rater group (Students) which must be selected to enable the block to function properly. In a 360 implementation or in a scenario where multiple groups exist, any combination of raters can be selected to define the group element.

• Course Field lists all available course fields in the datasources that are used to group responses and calculate the relevant averages.
• Instructor Field lists all available instructor fields in the datasources that are used to group responses and calculate the relevant averages.

Enable Apply Report Filter if you wish for all of your report filters to apply to this group element.

Report block configuration and usage

**Question - Score **

Norm across Responses elements will enable report readers to quickly compare the results across questions, since all responses have been condensed into one final figure. Ultimately, other group elements can be selected also to compare them with each other.

Chart mode

Table mode

Question - frequency block

By default, this type of block will produce statistics that are relevant to the report’s level. In other words, for an individual report, this block will output the individual course/survey statistics, whereas for a group by report, it will output statistics that are calculated according to this group. By using a Norm across Responses group element, we can switch the output from the default statistics to any level we choose through the group element.

Question - Scale Distribution Block

By default, this type of block will produce statistics that are relevant to the report’s level. In other words, for an individual report, this block will output the individual course/survey statistics, whereas for a group by report, it will output statistics that are calculated according to this group. By using a Norm across Responses group element, we can switch the output from the default statistics to any level we choose through the group element.

Special consideration for Group By reports

In the example below, Group By Faculty reports will be generated from the data.

If you choose the Subject Field “Department” in the Subject Field drop-down list, your (Norm Across Responses) group element will contain no data. This is because not all the entries in “Department” are exclusive to one Faculty. Specifically, both Professional Service AND Sales point to Law.