Medical Students’ Perceptions of E-assessment: Multiple Choice Questions used as a Tool of Assessment for Preclinical Years

Rajani  Ranganath; Chitra Rajalaksmi; Miriam A Simon

doi:10.22037/jme.v16i1.14842

Journal of Medical Education for Future Demands

Former Title: Journal of Medical Education | The Official Journal of School of Medical Education and Learning Technologies

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https://doi.org/10.22037/jme.v16i1.14842

Medical Students’ Perceptions of E-assessment: Multiple Choice Questions used as a Tool of Assessment for Preclinical Years

Author(s):

Rajani Ranganath

^1,*,

Chitra Rajalaksmi²,

Miriam A Simon³

1Department of Pathology, Oman Medical College, Sohar, Sultanate of Oman

2Department of Microbiology, Oman Medical College, Sohar, Sultanate of Oman

3Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Oman Medical College, Sohar, Sultanate of Oman

Journal of Medical Education for Future Demands:Vol. 16, issue 1; e105563

Published online:Aug 02, 2017

Article type:Research Article

Received:Nov 10, 2016

Accepted:Mar 14, 2017

How to Cite:Rajani RanganathChitra RajalaksmiMiriam A SimonMedical Students’ Perceptions of E-assessment: Multiple Choice Questions used as a Tool of Assessment for Preclinical Years.J Med Edu.16(1):e105563.https://doi.org/10.22037/jme.v16i1.14842.

Abstract

Background: Assessments and examinations judge the learning capabilities and test the knowledge and skills that students have acquired during their academic courses. The general paper-pen exams are now slowly being replaced by online testing system. This online assessment is now widely used in medical colleges in western countries and is slowly being introduced in Middle East countries as well. The objectives of the present study were to assess medical student’s perceptions on multiplechoice questions (MCQs) based E-assessment and to analyze the strength and weakness of the online assessment method.Methods: The study was done on 280 year 2, 3, and 5 students of Oman Medical College (OMC). A 23-item questionnaire that addressed different variables associated with attitudes, perceptions, user comfort factors and type of questions used for assessment about using online examinations was employed.Data were analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: We included 125 (44.6%) students from 2nd year, 110 (39.3%) from 3rd year, and 45(16.1%) students from 5th year. The survey looked upon the four main domains about the use of online exams using multiple choice questions (MCQs): 1. Affective factors, 2. Validity factors, 3. Practicality, and 4.Reliability and Security. Most medical students were comfortable with the online assessment mode.They perceived that the use of MCQs was sufficient to test knowledge during their course. A major theme of concern was technical problems and security issues.Conclusion: Our survey indicated that most students preferred MCQs based E-assessment. However it is evident that the exam system needs to be improved in areas of preparation of well-constructed MCQs, its reliability and validity, practical and technical problems and also regarding the security of the exam system to prepare medical students global competent.

Keywords

E-Assessment

Undergraduate Medical Course

Well-Constructed Multiple Choice Questions

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Author(s):

Rajani Ranganath:[PubMed][Scholar]
Chitra Rajalaksmi:[PubMed][Scholar]
Miriam A Simon:[PubMed][Scholar]