Exploring the experiences of content experts with item vetting during item bank development

  • Anbreen Aziz HBS Medical and Dental College, Islamabad.
  • Mashaal Sabqat Riphah International University, Islamabad
  • Faiza Kiran Army Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi.
  • Tayyeba Iftikhar Mirza Foundation University Medical college, Islamabad
Keywords: Examination questions, Quality assessments, Medical education

Abstract

Objective: To explore content experts’ experiences with item vetting during item bank development at a public sector medical university of Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Methods: An exploratory study was carried out from December 2022 to February 2023 at a public sector medical college of Rawalpindi. A purposive sampling technique was employed to collect data from all content experts of the study institute who participated in item vetting activity during pre-exam moderation in the university. A pilot-tested semi-structured interview guide was utilized, interviews were audio recorded and later transcribed. Participants’ anonymity was ensured. Various quality assurance strategies were employed to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings. Thematic analysis was performed on the transcribed data and themes were finalized by achieving consensus among all authors.

Results: Six themes overarching the fourteen subthemes emerged from the data. Participants expressed a profound sense of satisfaction and valued their experience in refining expertise in constructing multiple-choice questions (MCQs). It was widely acknowledged that such activities not only contribute to the enhancement of item development skills but also improve quality of items.

Conclusions: The consistent implementation of item vetting routines, in conjunction with diligent adherence to item writing protocols, contributes to quality assurance measures in assessment. Item bank development for fair and transparent assessment ensures production of competent healthcare professionals filtering incompetent ones hence improving health care services in the community.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.8664

How to cite this: Aziz A, Sabqat M, Kiran F, Mirza TI. Exploring the experiences of content experts with item vetting during item bank development. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(6):1241-1246. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.8664

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Author Biographies

Anbreen Aziz, HBS Medical and Dental College, Islamabad.

Anbreen Aziz, BDS, MHPE, AFHEA

Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Education

HBS Medical and Dental College, Islamabad.

Faiza Kiran, Army Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi.

Faiza Kiran, MBBS, MHPE

Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Education

Army Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi.

Tayyeba Iftikhar Mirza, Foundation University Medical college, Islamabad

Tayyeba Iftikhar Mirza, MBBS, MHPE

Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Education

Foundation University Medical college, Islamabad

Published
2024-05-22
How to Cite
Aziz, A., Sabqat, M., Kiran, F., & Iftikhar Mirza, T. (2024). Exploring the experiences of content experts with item vetting during item bank development. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 40(6). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.6.8664
Section
Original Articles