Analysis of multiple choice questions on health sciences at Health Faculty of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (2009)

Question analysis, is a set of methods through which the effectiveness and efficiency of each question and the entire exam questions can be measured. By recognizing the affecting factors, we will be able to design more appropriate and standard exams to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of every single question. Analyzing the questions makes it possible to evaluate the characteristics of each question as well as providing assurance on standard format of questions to be further assessed for expected ability or attributes. The present research was a descriptive study carried out at the School of Public Health (Qazvin University of Medical Sciences) in 2009-2010. A total of 592 questions designed for the final exams of different fields of study including the public health, environmental health, and occupational health were evaluated. Each question was evaluated for its difficulty ratio and distinction ratio to determine the strength and weak points of every single question and the whole exam. The results of this analysis demonstrated that most questions designed were so easy to answer (62%). Based on findings of the present study, it is suggested that in addition to continuous analysis of questions at the end of each semester, providing the academic staff by the feedback of such analyses could be of valuable help in improving the quality of exam questions.