Efficient validation of teaching and learning using multiple-choice exams.

Full Abstract

One purpose of this study was to quantify, by means of single-format, multiple-choice questions at the beginning and end of the course, the extent to which first-year medical students learn neuroscience material from an introductory course in their curriculum. Compared with their precourse test performance (mean = 41.8%), collectively, the students nearly doubled their grade by the end of the course (mean = 81.4%). Their scores in subcategories of the material improved in inverse proportion to what they knew initially. A second goal was to evaluate a two-dimensional, computer-generated matrix as a way to assess test question validity and value. The evaluation of individual test questions as assessed from the matrix often, but not always, was similar to the classical pedagogical analysis that uses difficulty and discrimination indexes. Strengths of the matrix are its ability to render data as a gestalt, as well as flexibility and intuitive ease of use.

Author information

Author/s: DeSantis, Mark (M); McKean, Thomas A (TA);

Affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences and WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA. starfish(-atsign-)uidaho.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Advances in physiology education (Adv Physiol Educ), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Dec; vol 27 (issue 1-4) : pp 3-14

Dates: Created 2003/02/20; Completed 2004/02/06; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12594068, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.