Ensuring cataloging students meet the mark: testing the validity of a cataloging worksheet marking scheme

The cataloging courses in Temasek Polytechnic aim to teach students skills and knowledge required of paraprofessional catalogers in industry. Thus the major part of the assessment examines the quality of students cataloging. However, cataloging quality varies as to measurement, as questions arise whether the examiners measures of cataloging record quality are in line with that of the profession. Worksheets were given to catalogers from different institutions to grade, weighing specific errors and omissions. This paper discusses the findings and suggests possible reasons for the degree of correlation between examiners.