Item analysis of multiple-choice questions in pharmacology among medical undergraduates

Mangala Srinivas; Chandralekha Netharakere; Padmaja Udaykumar; Nicole Pereira

doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.09458202304102023

2024, Vol: 14, Issue: 4

14 / 4Current Issue Online First Archive Aims and Scope Abstracting & Indexing Most Accessed Articles Most Downloaded Articles Most Cited Articles

Required files to be uploaded

Authorship Declaration

« Previous Article

Original Research

Online Publishing Date:
16 / 10 / 2023

Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2024; 14(5):

doi: 10.5455/njppp.2023.13.09458202304102023

Item analysis of multiple-choice questions in pharmacology among medical undergraduates

Mangala Srinivas, Chandralekha Netharakere, Padmaja Udaykumar, Nicole Pereira.

Abstract
Background: Assessment plays an essential role in the evaluation of learning, and multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are one of the components of examinations. Item analysis enables identifying good MCQs based on difficulty index (DIF I), discrimination index (DI), and distractor effectiveness (DE). The assessment of learning will be more meaningful with routine item analysis.

Aims and Objectives: The item analysis helps us to assess the validity and reliability of MCQs and to generate a valid MCQ question bank for future use.

Materials and Methods: A set of 30 single best response type MCQs or items was used for assessment in 155 phase II MBBS students at a medical college in Mangalore. Each item was pre-validated before and later analyzed for its DIF I, DI, and DE.

Results: In the study, the means of DIF I were 55.91 ± 18.48%, DI, was 0.35 ± 0.16%, and distractor efficiency was 72.19 ± 29.15%. Out of 30 items, 22 had a “good to acceptable” level of DIF I, and 18 items had “good to excellent” discrimination power. 81% were functional distractors among 120 distractors. A correlation r = 0.1968 indicates a positive correlation between DIF I and DI.

Conclusion: The majority of the MCQs in this study fell within the acceptable range when measured against the three factors analyzed. This suggests that the key to developing valid and reliable MCQs is possible only when regular item analysis is done for all MCQ-based tests.

Key words: Multiple-choice Questions; Item Analysis; Validation; Assessment; Reliability; Difficulty Index; Discrimination Index; Nonfunctional Distractors

	ARTICLE TOOLS
	Abstract
	PDF Fulltext
	How to cite this article
	Citation Tools
	Related Records
	Articles by Mangala Srinivas Articles by Chandralekha Netharakere Articles by Padmaja Udaykumar Articles by Nicole Pereira
	on Google
	on Google Scholar

How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Srinivas M, Netharakere C, Udaykumar P, Pereira N. Item analysis of multiple-choice questions in pharmacology among medical undergraduates. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. Online First: 16 Oct, 2023. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.09458202304102023

Web Style

Srinivas M, Netharakere C, Udaykumar P, Pereira N. Item analysis of multiple-choice questions in pharmacology among medical undergraduates. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=170285 [Access: March 15, 2024]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.09458202304102023

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Srinivas M, Netharakere C, Udaykumar P, Pereira N. Item analysis of multiple-choice questions in pharmacology among medical undergraduates. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. Online First: 16 Oct, 2023. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.09458202304102023

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Srinivas M, Netharakere C, Udaykumar P, Pereira N. Item analysis of multiple-choice questions in pharmacology among medical undergraduates. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, [cited March 15, 2024]; Online First: 16 Oct, 2023. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.09458202304102023

Harvard Style

Srinivas, M., Netharakere, . C., Udaykumar, . P. & Pereira, . N. (2024) Item analysis of multiple-choice questions in pharmacology among medical undergraduates. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, Online First: 16 Oct, 2023. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.09458202304102023

Turabian Style

Srinivas, Mangala, Chandralekha Netharakere, Padmaja Udaykumar, and Nicole Pereira. 2024. Item analysis of multiple-choice questions in pharmacology among medical undergraduates. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Online First: 16 Oct, 2023. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.09458202304102023

Chicago Style

Srinivas, Mangala, Chandralekha Netharakere, Padmaja Udaykumar, and Nicole Pereira. "Item analysis of multiple-choice questions in pharmacology among medical undergraduates." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology Online First: 16 Oct, 2023. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.09458202304102023

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Srinivas, M., Netharakere, . C., Udaykumar, . P. & Pereira, . N. (2024) Item analysis of multiple-choice questions in pharmacology among medical undergraduates. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Online First: 16 Oct, 2023. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.09458202304102023

Author Login Reviewer Login About Publisher Editorial Policies Editorial Review Policy Peer Review Policy Editorial & Peer Review Process Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement Conflict of Interest Policy Plagiarism Policy Protection of Research Participants (Statement On Human And Animal Rights)Corrections, Retractions & Expressions of Concern Self-Archiving Policies Statement of Informed Consent Advertising Policy Terms of Use License Information Copyright Information

About National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Contact Information

How to cite this article


About National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology is a monthly peer reviewed journal. The journal is having open access polic ... Read more. For best results, please use Internet Explorer or Google Chrome.	Contact Information Publisher publishernjppp@gmail.com Editorial query editornjppp1@gmail.com MOB - 8780040272