selfevaluation

Self-evaluation is the process by which individuals assess their own performance, abilities, knowledge, or qualities against explicit criteria or standards. It is used in education, workplaces, clinical settings, and personal development to promote learning and professional growth.

Its purposes include identifying strengths and weaknesses, setting goals, monitoring progress, and guiding decisions about training or development. When conducted honestly and systematically, self-evaluation can foster metacognition and self-regulation, empowering people to take ownership of their learning or work.

Common methods include self-assessment checklists and rating scales, reflective journaling, portfolios, narrative reflections, and alignment with rubrics or performance standards. These methods are often paired with external feedback to provide a more balanced view and reduce bias.

Challenges include bias and inaccurate self-perception, limited time to reflect, and cultural or organizational resistance to admitting shortcomings. To be effective, self-evaluation should use explicit criteria, be linked to clear goals, be documented over time, and be followed by concrete action plans and opportunities for feedback.

In education and employment, structured self-evaluation supports continuous improvement and evidence-based development, while in research it can contribute to reflective practice and ethical accountability.