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C o n t e n t s
Multiple choice questions: characteristics 49
Multiple true/ false type 50
Basic structure for One best type 52
Basic rules for one best items 53
Steps in writing one best type MCQs 55
T e m p l a t e f o r o n e b e s t i t e m s : 1st stage 57
T e m p l a t e f o r o n e b e s t i t e m s : 2nd stage 58
Guide to writing one best items for basic sciences 65
Extended matching example 66
Writing extended matching: procedure 67
Writing the item stems 70
Frequently asked questions 71
Templates for extended matching questions 74
ASSESSMENT OF COMPETENCE
S C H E D U L E
DAY TWO
Multiple choice questions: characteristics
Multiple true/ false type
Basic structure for One best type
Basic rules for one best items
Writing one best type MCQs
Extended matching
Writing extended matching: procedure
Critique
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS CHARACTERISTICS
1. FEASIBILITY: Difficult to make and easy to mark.
2. OBJECTIVITY: High because everyone marks them exactly the same.Key is pre-determined.
3. RELIABILITY: High. It depends on number of questions, number ofstudents and the quality of MCQs. If all these are optimum, thenreliability comes out to be very high.
4. FACE VALIDITY: Moderate to High. ( it does seem that you areexamining medical students and testing their cognitive abilities)
5. CONTENT VALIDITY: High. This is because of the possibility ofincreased sampling (of topics) within a given test time.
6. CONSTRUCT VALIDITY: High. It is possible to assess recall,interpretation and problem solving by MCQs easily. Since MCQs wellassess these ‘constructs’ (i.e. characteristics), their construct validityis high.
7. PREDICTIVE VALIDITY: High. It is possible to predict on the basis ofMCQ results whether a person can demonstrate problem solving orother higher cognitive abilities in the next level. However it is notpossible to predict whether he/ she will be a good doctor in the futurejust on the basis of MCQ results. So one needs to be very careful whatone wants to predict.
8. CONSEQUENCE VALIDITY: High. Students tend to do less selectivestudying when preparing for MCQ exams.
49Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
MULTIPLE TRUE/FALSE TYPE An initial statement (called stem) is followed by five completions (calleditems). Each item must be correctly identified as either "TRUE" or "FALSE".
EXAMPLE Instructions:Mark either "T" for TRUE or "F" for FALSE for each item given below, orshade the appropriate box for each correct answer in the response sheetwith the pencil provided to you.
1. Characteristic feature/s of "Cushing’s Syndrome" include:A. generalised obesityB. hypertensionC. menorrhagiaD. proximal muscle weaknessE. osteoporosisKEY : T :B,D,E F :A,C.
(It may be written in this form also) A/F, B/T, C/F, D/T, E
2. ONE BEST TYPEAn initial statement (called question stem) is followed by a statement /question (called lead-in statement/ question). Under this lead-in are fivecompletions (called options). The candidate is required to select the bestoption.
EXAMPLE:Instructions:Choose the BEST ANSWER from the options given below and shadethe appropriate box in the response sheet with the special pencilprovided to you.
1. A man of 68 years presents with a sudden episode of severe colickyabdominal pain. Within three days of admission to hospital, hebecomes jaundiced and develops high-grade fluctuating pyrexia. The most likely diagnosis in this patient is:A. infective hepatitisB. cirrhosis of liverC. a stone impacted in the common bile ductD. carcinoma of the head of pancreasE. an intrahepatic abscess
KEY: C
50Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MULTIPLE TRUE FALSE AND ONE BEST TYPE MCQs
ONE BEST TYPE● All the items may be correct but one is the most appropriate.● Opportunity of guessing is 1/5(20%)● Can measure a variety of learning objectives from simple to complex
MULTIPLE TRUE/ FALSE TYPE● Every item is absolutely correct or incorrect. ● Opportunity of guessing is (50%)● Can measure relatively simple learning objectives e.g. recall of facts
51Assessment of Competence
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TWO
BASIC STRUCTURE OF ONE BEST ITEMSAn item template or basic structure can depict the overall structure of an
item. By following the examples we are providing you with, it will become
very easy for you to construct high quality items. You can typically generate
many items for assessing basic science knowledge by using the same
template.
Different publications tend to use different names for the different parts
of MCQs and this can be quite confusing. This document uses the following
terms:
● The whole of an MCQ is called an item
● The main part of the item (that is, the part that presents the scenario)
is called the question stem
● The part of the item that tells the candidate what he has to do is the
lead-in statement. This could be in the form of a sentence (as in the
example below) or a question.
● The lead-in statement is followed by a list of 5 options from which
candidates have to select the best answer. This is called the option list.
52Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
A patient is broughtto the emergencydepartment. He isfeeling ill, reports a‘ringing’ in his ears,has a hear rate of90/min and the QRSintervals on his ECGare prolonged. Hesays he is taking a‘heart drug’ but doesnot know what it is.The drug he is mostlikely to be taking is:a) digoxinb) captoprilc) phenytoind) propanolole) quinidine*
( correct answer)
This is the QUESTIONSTEM
This is the LEAD-INSTATEMENT
This is the OPTIONLIST
The QUESTIONSTEM, LEAD-INSTATEMENT andthe OPTION LIST
is the ITEM
BASIC RULES FOR ONE BEST ITEMS
1. EACH ITEM SHOULD FOCUS ON AN IMPORTANT CONCEPT, TYPICALLY
A COMMON ONE:
Don’t waste testing time with questions assessing knowledge of trivial
facts. Focus on problems that would be encountered in real life by the
clinician. Avoid trivial, 'tricky' or overly complex questions.
2. EACH ITEM SHOULD ASSESS APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE, NOT
RECALL OF AN ISOLATED FACT:
Clinical scenarios provide a good basis for a question. For clinical
sciences, each should contain the following points:
● Presenting problems
● History (duration of signs and symptoms)
● Relevant physical findings
● Results of diagnostic studies
● Initial treatment
● Subsequent findings Information should be provided in this specified
order.
3. THE QUESTION STEM OF THE ITEM MUST POSE A CLEAR LEAD-IN
QUESTION, AND IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO ARRIVE AT AN ANSWER
WITH THE OPTIONS COVERED:
To determine if the question is focused, cover up the options and see if the
question is clear and if the examinee can pose an answer based only on
the stem. Rewrite the stem and/or options if they could not.
4. AVOID TECHNICAL ITEM FLAWS THAT PROVIDE SPECIAL BENEFIT TO
THE TESTWISE EXAMINEES OR THAT POSE IRRELEVANT DIFFICULTY.
(SEE APPENDIX I)
5. DO NOT WRITE ANY QUESTION OF THE FORM
"Which of the following is correct?" or "Each of the following is correct
EXCEPT".
These questions are unfocused and have heterogeneous options.
6. ALL ITEMS SHOULD REQUIRE APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE:This allows assessment of both, an examinees information base plus
ability to use that information.
53Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
.
7. THE OPTION ON WHICH THE QUESTION STEM IS BASED MUST BE:● Indisputably a better answer than any of the others, even though others
might be partially correct or correct in certain special circumstances.
● Clearly incorrect or inferior to the correct answer
● Plausible and attractive to the uninformed
● Similar to the correct answer in construction and length.
● Grammatically consistent and logically compatible with the stem
EXAMPLE FROM CLINICAL SCIENCESA man of 68 years presents with a sudden episode of severe colicky
abdominal pain. Within three days of admission to hospital, he becomes
jaundiced and develops high-grade fluctuating pyrexia. The most likely
diagnosis in this patient is:
A. infective hepatitis
B. cirrhosis of liver
C. a stone impacted in the common bile duct
D. carcinoma of the head of pancreas
E. an intrahepatic abscess
KEY : C
54Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
55Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
STEPS IN WRITING ONE BEST TYPE MCQs
The problem that almost all untrained item-writers run into is that theyinstinctively (and incorrectly) start in the wrong place! They tend to think ofthe question stem first and then the option list. It is MUCH easier to writethe options first.
The following steps are suggested:
1. Work in small teams of 3 or 4 people. These may be teams from withinthe same discipline or they may be multi-disciplinary teams. (For College examinations, teams from the same discipline might beeasiest at first, but a multi-disciplinary approach is more recommended).
2. Brainstorm in order to produce a list of possible topics/ themes to write items about (e.g. Abdominal pain, Anaemia, Back pain, Chestpain, Dizziness, Fatigue, Fever etc).
3. Select one topic from the list. Write the selected theme and sub-themeon the 1st stage form that we have provided.
4. Generate a list of possible options, based on the selected topic. It isusually a good idea if this list is of more than 5 options (although onlywill be used in the final item). This allows a couple of ‘spares’, whichoften comes in handy! It is important that this list is HOMOLOGOUS (i.e. all diagnoses, therapeutics, lab investigations, complications etc).
5. Select ONE of the options.
6. Write a question stem & lead-in statement based on this one option.
7. Ignore all other options temporarily.
8. Make sure that the question stem is reasonably short (a few lines long– see the example above) but contains all the relevant information forthe candidate to reach the correct answer.
9. Reduce the option list to 5 (including, of course, the correct answer).
10. Arrange the option list into a logical order (e.g. alphabetic, numeric).
11. Check your work: When your group is satisfied with its work so far, ifpossible pass the QUESTION STEM (but NOT the option list) to anothergroup. The other group should be able to reach the same answer asthat intended from the option list. If they have a problem in doing this,then the item probably needs some additional work.
12. If the other group is unable to guess the correct answer then you willhave to re-consider the options and the question stem that you havemade. Maybe it needs to be made simpler.
13. Repeat step number 11. (That means show it to another group again!)
14. Once you have finalized the please, transfer the item to the 2nd stageform. Make sure that you mention th/e level of importance and estimate of difficulty in this form.
15. Staple both the forms
16. Mail them to : DIRECTOR MCQ BANK CPSP, 7TH CENTRAL STREET,DHA PHASE V, KARACHI 75500.
56Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
57Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
One Best Item - 1st StageWriter(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
= Choose a theme (eg fatigue, antibiotics, enzymes, diet, cardiacarrhythmias) and sub-theme (eg diagnosis, laboratoryinvestigations, therapy):
Theme: _________________Sub-Theme_________________________(e.g. a presenting complaint)
== Make a list of 6 to 10 options (the provisional option list). Thesewill later form the branches of the question. They must behomologous (eg all diagnoses, antibiotics, blood gas values etc) andeach should be short normally only one or two words)
Provisional option list:More than 5 are needed- the list must be short and homologous1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 10
== Now select ONE of the provisional options and mark it with an asterisk.== Write a vignette (case scenario) that suits the selected option, to form
the question stem. This should normally be between two and fivesentences in length.
Question stem:
== Next, look at the other options in the provisional list and cross out anythat also suit the selected option well.
== Finally, reduce the option list to 5, containing the selected option plus 4others. The chosen option MUST be an indisputably better answer thanthe other 4 (although the other 4 do not have to be totally- incorrect).
58Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
One Best Item - 2nd StageWriter(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
Theme: _________________Sub-Theme_________________________
= Set out the 5 selected options from the 1st stage, arranged ina2logicalorder ( eg alphabetical, numerical) to form the item branches.
Option list (branches)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
= Identify the secret response in the option list with an asterisk. = Now write out the question stem
Question stem:-
== Please indicate the importance of the material being tested in this item,and also estimate how difficult you think the item is:.
Importance: Essential / Important / Supplementary
Estimate of Difficulty: Hard / Moderate / Easy
59Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
One Best Item - 1st StageWriter(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
= Choose a theme (eg fatigue, antibiotics, enzymes, diet, cardiacarrhythmias) and sub-theme (eg diagnosis, laboratoryinvestigations, therapy):
Theme: _________________Sub-Theme_________________________(e.g. a presenting complaint)
== Make a list of 6 to 10 options (the provisional option list). Thesewill later form the branches of the question. They must behomologous (eg all diagnoses, antibiotics, blood gas values etc) andeach should be short normally only one or two words)
Provisional option list:More than 5 are needed- the list must be short and homologous1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 10
== Now select ONE of the provisional options and mark it with an asterisk.== Write a vignette (case scenario) that suits the selected option, to form
the question stem. This should normally be between two and fivesentences in length.
Question stem:
== Next, look at the other options in the provisional list and cross out anythat also suit the selected option well.
== Finally, reduce the option list to 5, containing the selected option plus 4others. The chosen option MUST be an indisputably better answer thanthe other 4 (although the other 4 do not have to be totally- incorrect).
60Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
One Best Item - 2nd StageWriter(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
Theme: _________________Sub-Theme_________________________
= Set out the 5 selected options from the 1st stage, arranged ina2logicalorder ( eg alphabetical, numerical) to form the item branches.
Option list (branches)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
= Identify the secret response in the option list with an asterisk. = Now write out the question stem
Question stem:-
== Please indicate the importance of the material being tested in this item,and also estimate how difficult you think the item is:.
Importance: Essential / Important / Supplementary
Estimate of Difficulty: Hard / Moderate / Easy
61Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
One Best Item - 1st StageWriter(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
= Choose a theme (eg fatigue, antibiotics, enzymes, diet, cardiacarrhythmias) and sub-theme (eg diagnosis, laboratoryinvestigations, therapy):
Theme: _________________Sub-Theme_________________________(e.g. a presenting complaint)
== Make a list of 6 to 10 options (the provisional option list). Thesewill later form the branches of the question. They must behomologous (eg all diagnoses, antibiotics, blood gas values etc) andeach should be short normally only one or two words)
Provisional option list:More than 5 are needed- the list must be short and homologous1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 10
== Now select ONE of the provisional options and mark it with an asterisk.== Write a vignette (case scenario) that suits the selected option, to form
the question stem. This should normally be between two and fivesentences in length.
Question stem:
== Next, look at the other options in the provisional list and cross out anythat also suit the selected option well.
== Finally, reduce the option list to 5, containing the selected option plus 4others. The chosen option MUST be an indisputably better answer thanthe other 4 (although the other 4 do not have to be totally- incorrect).
62Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
One Best Item - 2nd StageWriter(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
Theme: _________________Sub-Theme_________________________
= Set out the 5 selected options from the 1st stage, arranged ina2logicalorder ( eg alphabetical, numerical) to form the item branches.
Option list (branches)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
= Identify the secret response in the option list with an asterisk. = Now write out the question stem
Question stem:-
== Please indicate the importance of the material being tested in this item,and also estimate how difficult you think the item is:.
Importance: Essential / Important / Supplementary
Estimate of Difficulty: Hard / Moderate / Easy
63Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
One Best Item - 1st StageWriter(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
= Choose a theme (eg fatigue, antibiotics, enzymes, diet, cardiacarrhythmias) and sub-theme (eg diagnosis, laboratoryinvestigations, therapy):
Theme: _________________Sub-Theme_________________________(e.g. a presenting complaint)
== Make a list of 6 to 10 options (the provisional option list). Thesewill later form the branches of the question. They must behomologous (eg all diagnoses, antibiotics, blood gas values etc) andeach should be short normally only one or two words)
Provisional option list:More than 5 are needed- the list must be short and homologous1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 10
== Now select ONE of the provisional options and mark it with an asterisk.== Write a vignette (case scenario) that suits the selected option, to form
the question stem. This should normally be between two and fivesentences in length.
Question stem:
== Next, look at the other options in the provisional list and cross out anythat also suit the selected option well.
== Finally, reduce the option list to 5, containing the selected option plus 4others. The chosen option MUST be an indisputably better answer thanthe other 4 (although the other 4 do not have to be totally- incorrect).
64Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
One Best Item - 2nd StageWriter(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
Theme: _________________Sub-Theme_________________________
= Set out the 5 selected options from the 1st stage, arranged ina2logicalorder ( eg alphabetical, numerical) to form the item branches.
Option list (branches)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
= Identify the secret response in the option list with an asterisk. = Now write out the question stem
Question stem:-
== Please indicate the importance of the material being tested in this item,and also estimate how difficult you think the item is:.
Importance: Essential / Important / Supplementary
Estimate of Difficulty: Hard / Moderate / Easy
GUIDE TO WRITING ONE BEST ITEMS FOR BASICSCIENCES
Traditionally, items are classified by the cognitive processes required to
answer the question (e.g., recall, interpretation, or problem solving;
memory, comprehension, or reasoning). Recall items are thought to test
examinees’ knowledge of isolated facts.
A simpler, more objective approach bases item classification on the task
of the examinee. If an item requires an examinee to reach a conclusion,
make a prediction, or select a course of action, it should be classified as
an application of knowledge item. If an item tests only rote memory for
isolated facts (without requiring their application), it should be classified as
a recall item. All items should require application of knowledge, allowing
assessment of both an examinee’s information base plus ability to use
that information.
The following pair of items illustrates the difference between a question
assessing recall of an isolated fact and a question assessing application
of knowledge.
APPENDIX ISummary of Technical Item FlawsIssues Related to Testwiseness● Grammatical cues - one or more options don’t follow grammatically from
the stem● Logical cues - a subset of the options is much longer than the other or
much shorter● Absolute terms - terms such as "always" or "never" are in some options● Long correct answer - correct answer is longer, more specific, or more
complete than other options● Word repeats - a word or phrase is included in the stem and in the
correct answer● Convergence strategy - the correct answer includes the most elements
in common with the other options Issues Related to Irrelevant Difficulty● Options are long, complicated, or double● Numeric data are not stated consistently● Terms in the options are vague (eg, "rarely," "usually")● Language in the options is not parallel● Options are in an illogical order● Stems are tricky or unnecessarily complicated● The answer to an item is "hinged" to the answer of a related item
And most important of all: Focus on important concepts; don’t wastetime testing trivial facts.
65Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
EXTENDED MATCHINGEXAMPLE
Theme: Fatigue. Sub-theme: diagnosis
Lead-In: For each patient with fatigue, select the most likely diagnosis.
Options:
Item Stems:1. A 19 year old woman has had fatgue, fever, and sore throat for the
past week. She has a temperature of 38.3oC ( 101F), cervical lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. Initial laboratory studies show aleukocyte count of 5000/mm3 ( 80% lymphocytes with many lymphocytes exhibiting atypical features), serum aspartate aminotransferase ( AST, GOT) activity is 200U/L. Serum bilirubin concentration and serum alkaline phosphatase activity are within normal limits.
2. A 15 year old boy has a two week history of fatigue and back pain. He has widespread bruising, pallor and tenderness over the vertebraeand both femurs. Complete blood count shows hemoglobinconcentration of 7.0 g/dl, leukocyte count of 2000/mm3, and plateletcount of 15,000/mm3.
KEY: 1. E2. A.
66Assessment of Competence
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TWO
A. Arteries.B. Nerves.C. Muscles.D. Amino acids.E. Hormones.F. Cell components.G. Blood components.H. Molecules.I. pathogensJ. Toxins.K. Vitamins/ minerals.L. Diagnoses.M. Endocrine structures.
N. Immune disorders.O. CNS components.P. Drugs.Q. Main presenting complaints.R. initial management steps.S. side effects of drugs.T. electrolyte abnormalities.U. most crucial investigation.V. management alternatives.W. neurotransmitters.X. cytokines.Y. secretory products.Z. causative agents.
WRITING EXTENDED MATCHINGPROCEDURE
1. Identify the theme and sub theme for the set of options.
2. Write the lead-in for the set. The lead-in indicates the relationship
between the stem and options, clarifying the question posed for the
examinees. It is an essential component of extended matching set.
Following is an example of a typical lead-in: “For reach of the following
cases of dyspnea, select the most appropriate investigation:”
3. Prepare the list of options based on the sub theme.
4. Select 2 or 3 options from the list. these become your key.
5. Write the items stems revolving around the selected key. These
contain patient vignettes. It is also possible to give lab data. For the
sake of better sampling of content,it is proposed that more than one
scenario be written per option list.
GUIDELINES FOR OPTION LIST:
● By research, it has been found that an optimum number of option list is
around 18.
● The list of options should be single words or very short phrases.
● They must be homogenous ( all diagnoses, all management options
etc.). Don’t use uncommon diagnoses or subtle distinctions.
● List the options in alphabetical order unless there is a logical order.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEME AND TOPIC
A theme is a broad area and is usually based on symptoms that patients
present with. For example, polyuria is a symptom and maybe designated
as a theme since it maybe caused by conditions other than Diabetes
Mellitus also. Contrary to this, topics are issues based on how the
discipline is divided. It is usually according to site of disease or body
systems, e.g. diseases of lower GIT. Infections of neonates, gram positive
bacteria, labour, Diabetes Mellitus etc.
So, the general rule of the thumb is:
If it is the name of a disease/ condition it is a topic.
If it is a symptom (that may have a variety of underlying causes, then it is
a theme.
67Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
List of Possible Themes:Abdominal mass dizziness lymphadenopathy melena
Abdominal pain easy bruising movement abnormalities
Anemia fatigue nausea
Ascites fever palpitations
Back pain GI bleeding sexual dysfunction
Chest pain headache shortness of breath
Confusion hematemesis skin lesion
Cough itching syncope
Developmental delay jaundice weight change
Diarrhea joint pain wheezing
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING LEAD-INS ● Lead-ins generally begin with a phrase such as " For each of the
following patients".● Often sets are organized around chief complaints or some other factor
that allows a more specific introductory phrase such as " For each ofthe following patients with fatigue…." Or " For each of the followingpatients with an enzyme deficiency…..".
● The second part of the lead-in describes the task and the option set: "select the most likely diagnosis"; " select the protein that is most likelyto be defective."
The following are some additional sample lead-ins and some suggested
topics for option lists:
= For each of the following patients, select the ( e.g. nerve) that is most
likely to be ( abnormal/ defective/ deficient/ nonfunctioning).
= Option sets could include list of nerves; list of muscles; list of enzymes;
list of hormones; list of proteins; list of types of cells; list of
neurotransmitters; list of pathologic processes.
= For each of the following patients, select the (finding) that would be
expected:
= Option sets could include list of lab results; list of additional physical
signs; autopsy results; list of microscopic examination of fluids,
muscles or joint tissue; DNA analysis results; hormone levels.
= For each of the following patients, select the most likely ( cause):
= Option sets could include list of underlying mechanisms of disease;
medications that might cause side effects; drugs or drug classes; toxic
agents; hemodynamic mechanisms, viruses, metabolic defects.
68Assessment of Competence
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TWO
= For each of the following patients, select the (drug) that should be
administered.
= Options sets could include list of drugs, vitamins, amino acids,
enzymes, hormones.
= For each of the following patients, select the most likely diagnosis.
= Options sets could include list of diagnoses, most often organized
around a chief complaint such as diseases that cause chest pain or
diseases that cause fever.
= For each of the following patients, select the most appropriate next step
in patient care.
= Options sets could include list of pharmacologic therapies, list of lab
studies, disposition alternatives, or the options could include a mixed
set of treatments and additional studies to assess whether the student
knows when sufficient data have been gathered.
69Assessment of Competence
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TWO
WRITING THE ITEM STEMS= Patient vignettes or clinical scenarios provide an excellent structure for
item stems.
= The vignette commonly provides the following information, though all of
it does not have to be present in one item set:
Age,
Gender,
Chief complaint,
Site of care,
Personal history,
Physical examination information,
Lab data.
Items to assess knowledge of basic sciences, particularly for courses
taught in the first or second professional years might include less
detailed descriptions.
= Each patient, the description should be similar in format to the others
in the set. For example, if lab data is included in one item then it should
be included in all the items.
= It is advisable not to mix adult and paediatric cases in the same set.
= The items should be straightforward.
= There is no reason to make them tricky; the extended option list makes
them difficult enough to allow you to distinguish the knowledgeable
student from the other students without resorting to trickery.
= Use the ' cover-the-option' rule that you used in the construction of one
best type.
Review the items:
● Check to make sure there is only a single best answer for each
question.
● Also make sure that there are at least four reasonable distractors for
each item.
● As a final check, it is recommended that you ask a colleague to review
the items without the correct answers indicated.
● If the colleague has difficulty in determining the correct answer, modify
the option list or item to eliminate the ambiguity.
70Assessment of Competence
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TWO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is CPSP changing to One-Best and Extended Matching Questions(EMQs)?Because they have been proven internationally to have a great ability totest higher cognitive processes and have a high degree of reliability.Internationally there is a lot of interest and work being done on EMQs andone best. USMLE already have mastered it… and the British are gettingtrained in it and are seriously considering introducing it in their Fellowshipand Membership exams.
Why do we need to do themes and sub themes?
As mentioned above, themes are usually symptoms. It is important for a
consultant to recognize symptoms and work onwards from there since that
is how he will encounter patients. If he is able to deal with problems on
paper based on how people will present to him, then it is safe to assume
that he will use the same mental process in real life also. Sub themes are
kept to focus the thoughts of the person making the MCQ and the person
attempting it towards a particular aspect of the theme. For example, if
polyuria were a theme, then the sub theme could be diagnosis (of polyuria)
for which the option list of diseases would be present. The sub theme may
also be investigations (of polyuria), for which the option list would contain
a list of investigations, all of which would be relevant to cases of polyuria.
Can you provide me with more examples of topics, themes and sub themes?Consider the following topics and related themes:
Topic Theme Sub themeAcute abdomen pain in Right investigations
hypochondrium
Upper respiratory Diseases cough drugs
Compoud fractures bleeding investigations
Pre-operative next step inAssessment weakness management
71Assessment of Competence
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What do we need to be careful about regarding critique of MCQs?Ensure that:a. The section of ‘theme’ ( and sub theme) does not have topics.b. The options are homologous (all diagnoses, all drugs, all investigations
etc.)
c. There are no illogical options that do not fit the theme or the sub theme.There might be a few that are easy to guess or maybe easy to exclude.However, if they are according to the theme and sub theme (as requiredin One best) then they may be retained.
d. Those options are deleted that are too close to the key. The concept isto discriminate the average students from the below average ones andnot to confuse them.
e. The item writers have marked about the difficulty and importance of theMCQ. So they must write at the end of an MCQ (both One Best and EMQ)whether it is hard, moderate or easy and whether it is essential,important or supplementary information that is asked.
f. The options are in logical order. Usually they should be in alphabetcialorder. Order is especially important where numbers are in the options.
For example, the following is an example of a bad option list:A. 10 mg/ dlB. 102 mg / dlC. 50 mg / dlD. 33 mg / dlE. 75 mg / dl
This can be improved to:A. 10 B. 30C. 50D. 70E. 90
The good points about the above option list are that it:1. is in ascending order2. the gap between the numbers is equal3. there is no repetition of mg/ dl. The units should be in the top one
option or part of the lead-in statement.
72Assessment of Competence
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TWO
How do we decide whether this question is hard or easy or essential orsupplementary?Considering the fact that you are assessing a to-be-consultant, you are thebest judge about how difficult an item is for the AVERAGE candidate.Always think in terms of the average student.
In order to decide about the importance, just think whether the informationbeing asked is so important that a person has no right to be a consultantif he does not know this. If such is the case then that item should belabeled essential. If you think an item is asking information aboutsomething that is very important for an average student (but a little less inimportance than the essential one) then it should be labeled as important.If there is an item that is asking about something that only the topstudents should know or that is not important for an average student toknow in order to be a safe consultant. Then it should be labeled assupplementary.
73Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
74Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS ANDSURGEONS PAKISTAN
EXTENDED MATCHING QUESTION
Writer(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
Theme: ___________________________________________________(e.g. a presenting complaint)
Sub-theme_________________________________________________(e.g. diagnosis, laboratory investigations, therapy)
Lead -In:___________________________________________________
(Sample Lead – in: For each patient with ________ (theme), select the
most likely ________ (sub-theme)
Options:
A N
B O
C P
D Q
E R
F S
G T
H U
I V
J W
K X
L Y
M Z
75Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
Item stem: (write atleast two scenarios for each option list)Scenario 1:
Scenario 2:
Key for Scenario 1: _________
Key for Scenario 2: _________
Please indicate the importance and difficulty levels of the material beingtested in this item:
Importance: Essential/Important/SupplementaryEstimate of difficulty: Hard/Moderate/Easy
76Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS ANDSURGEONS PAKISTAN
EXTENDED MATCHING QUESTION
Writer(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
Theme: ___________________________________________________(e.g. a presenting complaint)
Sub-theme_________________________________________________(e.g. diagnosis, laboratory investigations, therapy)
Lead -In:___________________________________________________
(Sample Lead – in: For each patient with ________ (theme), select the
most likely ________ (sub-theme)
Options:
A N
B O
C P
D Q
E R
F S
G T
H U
I V
J W
K X
L Y
M Z
Item stem: (write atleast two scenarios for each option list)Scenario 1:
Scenario 2:
Key for Scenario 1: _________
Key for Scenario 2: _________
Please indicate the importance and difficulty levels of the material beingtested in this item:
Importance: Essential/Important/SupplementaryEstimate of difficulty: Hard/Moderate/Easy
77Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
78Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS ANDSURGEONS PAKISTAN
EXTENDED MATCHING QUESTION
Writer(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
Theme: ___________________________________________________(e.g. a presenting complaint)
Sub-theme_________________________________________________(e.g. diagnosis, laboratory investigations, therapy)
Lead -In:___________________________________________________
(Sample Lead – in: For each patient with ________ (theme), select the
most likely ________ (sub-theme)
Options:
A N
B O
C P
D Q
E R
F S
G T
H U
I V
J W
K X
L Y
M Z
79Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
Item stem: (write atleast two scenarios for each option list)
Scenario 1:
Scenario 2:
Key for Scenario 1: _________
Key for Scenario 2: _________
Please indicate the importance and difficulty levels of the material beingtested in this item:
Importance: Essential/Important/SupplementaryEstimate of difficulty: Hard/Moderate/Easy
80Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS ANDSURGEONS PAKISTAN
EXTENDED MATCHING QUESTION
Writer(s)___________________________________ Date____/____/___
Specialty________________Sub-Speciality_______________________
Theme: ___________________________________________________(e.g. a presenting complaint)
Sub-theme_________________________________________________(e.g. diagnosis, laboratory investigations, therapy)
Lead -In:___________________________________________________
(Sample Lead – in: For each patient with ________ (theme), select the
most likely ________ (sub-theme)
Options:
A N
B O
C P
D Q
E R
F S
G T
H U
I V
J W
K X
L Y
M Z
81Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO
Item stem: (write atleast two scenarios for each option list)
Scenario 1:
Scenario 2:
Key for Scenario 1: _________
Key for Scenario 2: _________
Please indicate the importance and difficulty levels of the material beingtested in this item:
Importance: Essential/Important/SupplementaryEstimate of difficulty: Hard/Moderate/Easy
SCHOOL»S BACK IN SESSIONA high school teacher was giving a true/false test. He was strolling up and
down the aisles surveying the students at work. He came upon one
student who was flipping a coin, the writing.
Teacher: What are you doing?
Student: Getting the answers to the test.
The teacher shook his head and walked on. A little while later, when
everyone was finished with the test, the teacher noticed the student was
again flipping the coin.
Teacher: Now what are you doing?
Student: I’m checking the answers.
82Assessment of Competence
DAY
TWO