Evaluation of Pharmacology Written Question Papers of MBBS Professional Examinations

Abstract

This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted to observe the quality of Pharmacology professional written question papers of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), University of Chittagong (CU), University of Dhaka (DU), Rajshahi University (RU) and Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST).For this purpose total 82 SAQ papers of five universities dated from January 2007 to July 2015 were reviewed. Question papers were reviewed to find out the coverage of recall, understanding and problem solving type questions, content coverage and presence of marking scheme in SAQ papers.Mean percentage of recall, understanding and problem questions were 54.3%, 44% and 01.7% respectively in SAQ papers. Mean of the recall questions of SUST statistically significantly differed from curriculum standard 60%. Other universities had no significant differences with the standard. Mean of the understanding questions of all the universities statistically significantly differed from curriculum standard 30% except BUP. There was statistically significant difference between mean of the problem solving questions of all the universities and curriculum standard 10% .Most of the SAQ papers (62%) were without problem based questions. No question paper was found having different types question as per curriculum standard.Total 15(18.3%) SAQ papers contained 100 % topics (all the 11 groups). Thirty nine (47.6) contained 10 groups and 22% contained 9 groups out of 11. Twelve percent SAQ papers contained less 80% topics Total 29 (35.4%) SAQ papers of all the universities showed marking scheme on the questions papers, rest 64.6% were devoid of it. Maximum 87.5% SAQ papers of RU had marking scheme.Findings of this study may be used to redefine the distribution of different types question in SAQ papers and to improve the quality of question papers by ensuring their coverage.

Analysis of Undergraduate Pharmacology Written (SAQ) Question of Different Universities in Bangladesh

“…But in this study we observed that highest percentage of questions are recall in all universities i.e 80 to 90 percent. This findings are similar to othrer observations 14,18 Understanding type of questions were only 5 percent, application type were 4 percent and problem solving questions only 2 percent.…”

“…It was seen that different university under same curriculum prepare question for written examination in different format. In our country only one study 14 was found on focusing undergraduate pharmacology written question evaluation has been carried since 2002 curriculum. Therefore the present study was done with the aim to analyze the pharmacology written question (SAQ) held under different universities regarding content coverage, type of question and objectives of course.…”

Trend and Weightage of Problem-based Questions in Undergraduate Pharmacology Written Question Papers of Bangladesh

“…30 Problem based questions are for students to assess their knowledge and understanding level through which they can solve problem in a novel situation. 31 Current research found that percentage of problem based question had reduced dramatically over the last 10 years and this finding was concurrent to previous two studies conducted in Bangladesh 24,26 although there is already identified need by pharmacology educators of the country to incorporate problem based questions in undergraduate written exams. 32 Regarding weightage of problem based questions, another point is significant difference (<0.00001) was observed among different universities in current study.…”

“…19, 20 Several studies were conducted in Bangladesh to evaluate pharmacology education (curriculum, textbooks and question papers) from different perspectives. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 In this backdrop, current study was conducted to evaluate pharmacology written question papers of last 10 years with the attempt to find out the weightage and trend of problem-solving questions in the written assessment system.…”

Undergraduate Pharmacology Written Question Papers of Different Universities of Bangladesh: Analysis of One Decade

“…22 Seven public universities, Bangladesh University of Professionals textbooks and question papers through different perspectives. [23][24][25][26][27][28] In this background, current study was conducted to evaluate Pharmacology written question papers of different universities over last 10 years in the context of reflection of curricular objectives, content coverage and selective disease burdens.…”