Programmers: more or less competent?

There is common agreement that computer programmers differ qualitatively in their abilities. Employers seek to know not only what programmers can do, but also how well they can do it. Yet National Qualifications Framework Unit Standards for programming do not currently provide for a qualitative evaluation of performance.

This paper explores both the feasibility and the desirability of awarding a merit grade in the assessment of competency-based unit standards for programming. It investigates problems in distinguishing levels of performance with an acceptable degree of validity and reliability. A means of assessing meritorious performance in programming is proposed, and its applicability to the wider field of computing and information technology is considered. Show less