Nursing Students' Perceptions of Peer Evaluation in Group Work at Bethlehem University, Palestine
In: Maǧallat Ǧāmiʿat Bait Laḥm: Maǧalla ʿilmīya muḥkama = Bethlehem University journal, Band 38
ISSN: 2410-5449
This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of peer evaluation
(PE) in group work (GW) among nursing students at the Faculty of Nursing and
Health Sciences, Bethlehem University, Palestine in spring 2016. While previous
studies have examined the importance of PE in GW in a variety of disciplines in
higher education, researchers have not paid much attention to PE in the
assessment of nursing students in Palestine. A qualitative approach was used on
a sample population of third- and fourth-year nursing students (n = 70) at
Bethlehem University who had participated in PE in previous courses at least
three times. Results revealed that participation in GW promoted the students'
leadership skills, team spirit, self-confidence, and respect for others, while
significantly contributing to their professional growth. The results also
highlighted challenges to GW such as distributing assignments to groups and
providing clear specifications for the group leader's role. Results also showed
that the main challenges facing PE were the lack of objectivity, fairness,
anonymity, and clear evaluation criteria, as well as the limited items in the
evaluation forms. The study recommended the development of a faculty handbook
containing guidelines for GW and PE, conducting training sessions for students,
and encouraging all faculty members to use GW and PE routinely in their teaching
practices.