What role do norms and expectations play in the quality assurance process?

Norms and expectations are critical components in the quality assurance process because they help establish a framework within which assessments can occur. By defining standard criteria and benchmarks, they promote clarity and consistency in evaluations. This means that everyone involved in the quality assurance process understands what is expected, which helps ensure that assessments are aligned with predetermined standards.

When norms and expectations are clearly articulated, they guide evaluators in their assessments, leading to more reliable and valid results, as parties involved can measure performance against these established benchmarks. This consistency is important for maintaining quality, as it allows for comparisons over time and across different entities or programs, ultimately enhancing the credibility of the evaluation process.

The other options do not accurately reflect the positive role that norms and expectations play. Creating ambiguity in assessments would undermine the purpose of quality assurance, limiting the effectiveness of evaluations. In contrast, limiting the scope of evaluations would hinder the ability to gain comprehensive insights into quality, and focusing solely on quantitative data would ignore qualitative factors that are also vital to understanding overall performance. Thus, establishing clarity and consistency through norms and expectations is what significantly enhances the quality assurance process.