what is the validity and reliability of MCQs based assessment for physical therapy students?
is only MCQs based assessment are sufficient to evaluate physical therapy students?
if not then what should be an appropriate combination of different methods to effectively evaluate physical therapy students?
this questions is for both levels, entry level DPT and specialized MS programs in Physical Therapy.
It will depend on the questions and the sample. Some tests using multiple choice questions(MCQs) have low reliability and validity. Others perform much better. Further, some tests may be good for some samples, but not good for others.
Good question. MCQs, when done well, can be a significant part of student assessment. I've added a link for suggestions for good multiple choice questions.
With a clinical field like PT, you also need an assessment that involves interactions with clients, real or simulated. Coming from a nursing background, I've seen students who were great with patients but not great test takers. Unfortunately have the the reverse - students who could ace most tests but could not interact well with patients of apply learning in the clinical situation. I am not aware of how much simulation has been developed for PT. There is a considerable amount in nursing and medicine.
Good luck
https://testing.byu.edu/handbooks/14%20Rules%20for%20Writing%20Multiple-Choice%20Questions.pdf
Hello,
Agreeing with statements above I would suggest not to rely exclusively on one even reliable for of assessment. Especially in the specific are like yours.
Regards
We use MCQs but with a case-based or scenario for context; MCQs then can be in relation to the case presented, which makes it more real and requires higher level thinking rather than memorization.
Best regards
These students are supposed to be evaluated through skills or competency tests, with the observation mechanism applied.
This link relates to multiple choice questions and terms of use:
https://worldwidescience.org/topicpages/m/multiple-choice+test+questions.html
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