Item analysis: An evaluation of multiple choice questions in Physiology examination

• DOI: 10.5455/jcme.20151011041414
• Publication Date: 2015-10-27T01:24:11Z
• Authors: Anjali Shete; Afshan Kausar; Kunda Lakhkar; S Khan
• Keywords: Multiple choice

Background: Item analysis is the process of collecting, summarizing and using information from student’s responses to assess quality test items. Difficulty index discrimination are two parameters which help evaluate standard multiple choice question (MCQ) used in an examination. Materials and Methods: An internal examination Physiology was conducted at end one term. 148 students, out 150, attended exam. A total 40 MCQ were given analyzed. The data analyzed by Microsoft Excel recorded as mean ± deviation. relationship between difficulty (P) and (D) for each item determined by Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The mean score 0.54 0.26 0.21 0.14. On average, about 10 MCQs easy (P ≥ 70%) while 12 difficult ≤ 30%) remaining 18 items were acceptable range = 30-70%). In all, 2 items showed negative 13 exhibited poor discrimination. 25 excellent The discrimination exhibited slight positive with (r 0.3076 P 0.05). However, it not statistically significant. maximal (d 0.55) observed easy/difficult items 0.6). Conclusion: majority far and discrimination indices concerned. Moderately easy/difficult had discriminative ability. Too too gave poor index.