Any examination that involves moderate to high stakes implications for examinees should be psychometrically sound and legally defensible. Currently, there are two broad and competing families of test theories that are used to score examination data. The majority of instructors outside the high-stakes testing arena rely on classical test theory (CTT) methods. However, advances in item response theory software have made the application of these techniques much more accessible to classroom instructors. The purpose of this research is to analyze a common medical school anatomy examination using both the traditional CTT scoring method and a Rasch measurement scoring method to determine which technique provides more robust findings, and which set of psychometric indicators will be more meaningful and useful for anatomists looking to improve the psychometric quality and functioning of their examinations. Results produced by the more robust and meaningful methodology will undergo a rigorous psychometric validation process to evaluate construct validity. Implications of these techniques and additional possibilities for advanced applications are also discussed.
Formaldehyde (FA) has been classified by The International Agency for Research on Cancer as a human carcinogen (Levine et al, 1984; IEQ, 2006; Kriebel, 2001) and as a probable carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (1999). The purpose of this research was to compare personal FA exposure and sensory irritation levels between subjects in the human anatomy laboratories at five Physical Therapy (PT) programs in the United States. There was no significant correlation between FA levels and irritation levels. There was not a significant difference in FA exposure between students and instructors but there was a significant difference (p=0.015) in irritation levels reported by students and instructors, with instructors reporting lower irritation levels. There was a significant difference (p=0.001) in irritation levels between institutions but no significant difference in FA exposure levels between institutions. At one institution the FA levels in donors that were reperfused with Infutrace were significantly lower (p=0.002) than those of donors that were non‐reperfused. Future studies that compare teaching strategies, dissection techniques, and ventilation systems should be conducted to help determine the healthiest combination of methods (chemicals, ventilation systems, teaching strategies, personal protective equipment) to reduce FA and irritation levels among students and instructors.
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