Performance-based assessments in higher education: How ethnic background impacts stakeholders’ fairness perceptions of structured versus unstructured assessment methods

Performance-based assessments (PBAs), like literature reviews, evaluate students’ professional skills (e.g., analytical thinking). However, unclear evaluation criteria in PBAs lead to grading inconsistencies and biased outcomes. This diminishes perceptions of fairness among stakeholders. A possible solution to reduce such inconsistencies is to structure methods (e.g., rubrics). Through an online survey, we collected data on two samples: students ( N = 387) and assessors ( N = 469). Using linear mixed modelling, we analysed their fairness perceptions via three vignettes, that varied assessment structure through the availability of evaluation criteria and a scoring strategy. Structured methods were rated as fairer by both samples. Ethnic minority students rated unstructured and moderately structured methods less fair compared to ethnic majority students. The findings highlight that structuring PBAs improves fairness perceptions, which are especially influenced by students’ ethnic background.