Examining the Exams: Bloom and Database Modelling and Design

Abstract

This paper presents the development of an initial framework for the classification and analysis of questions in database modelling and design examinations. Guidelines are provided for the classification of these questions using the revised Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives. We report the results of applying the classification scheme to 122 questions from 19 introductory database examinations. We found that there was little variation in the topics and question styles employed and that the degree to which design and modelling is assessed in a typical introductory undergraduate database course’s examination varies widely. We also found gaps in the intellectual complexity of the questions with the examinations failing to provide questions at the analyse and evaluate levels of the revised Bloom’s taxonomy.