Assessment of item-writing flaws in multiple-choice questions

J Nurses Prof Dev. 2013 Mar-Apr;29(2):52-7; quiz E1-2. doi: 10.1097/NND.0b013e318286c2f1.

Abstract

This study evaluated the quality of multiple-choice questions used in a hospital's e-learning system. Constructing well-written questions is fraught with difficulty, and item-writing flaws are common. Study results revealed that most items contained flaws and were written at the knowledge/comprehension level. Few items had linked objectives, and no association was found between the presence of objectives and flaws. Recommendations include education for writing test questions.

MeSH terms

  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Choice Behavior*
  • Clinical Competence
  • Education, Nursing, Continuing
  • Educational Measurement / methods*
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Mental Recall
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*
  • Writing / standards*