TY - JOUR
T1 - The effectiveness of short answers test papers in evaluating academic nursing programs : a review of the literature
AU - Stunden, Annette
AU - Jefferies, Diana
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Short answer tests (SAT) are an assessment that examines nursing students' knowledge and can be used to evaluate expectations for student educational success. The purpose of this literature review is to combine the best available evidence as to whether short answer test papers meet nursing facility curricula learning outcomes. A literature review was performed consisting of data bases which included; ERIC, SCOPUS, CINAHL MEDLINE, COCHRANE LIBRARY and JOHANNA BIGGS INSTITUTE (JBI). The following keywords were used: Short answer test, written assessment, quiz, organisations, university, higher degree education, tertiary education, nursing, perceptions, attitude, opinions, thoughts, feeling and belief. The majority of studies demonstrated that short answer tests equip nursing students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills for the clinical setting. Three major themes were identified: the effects of increasing class sizes; authenticity and the validity of short answer tests. Short answer tests are commonly used in undergraduate nursing programs to evaluate students’ level of knowledge which consists of their ability to critically analyse and problem solve. To maintain authenticity and validity of an assessment, there is a need for an evidence-based approach to their design to meet the core learning objectives within the curriculum.
AB - Short answer tests (SAT) are an assessment that examines nursing students' knowledge and can be used to evaluate expectations for student educational success. The purpose of this literature review is to combine the best available evidence as to whether short answer test papers meet nursing facility curricula learning outcomes. A literature review was performed consisting of data bases which included; ERIC, SCOPUS, CINAHL MEDLINE, COCHRANE LIBRARY and JOHANNA BIGGS INSTITUTE (JBI). The following keywords were used: Short answer test, written assessment, quiz, organisations, university, higher degree education, tertiary education, nursing, perceptions, attitude, opinions, thoughts, feeling and belief. The majority of studies demonstrated that short answer tests equip nursing students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills for the clinical setting. Three major themes were identified: the effects of increasing class sizes; authenticity and the validity of short answer tests. Short answer tests are commonly used in undergraduate nursing programs to evaluate students’ level of knowledge which consists of their ability to critically analyse and problem solve. To maintain authenticity and validity of an assessment, there is a need for an evidence-based approach to their design to meet the core learning objectives within the curriculum.
KW - academic achievement
KW - critical thinking
KW - education, higher
KW - learning
KW - nursing
UR - http://handle.westernsydney.edu.au:8081/1959.7/uws:49162
U2 - 10.1016/j.nepr.2018.09.004
DO - 10.1016/j.nepr.2018.09.004
M3 - Article
VL - 33
SP - 94
EP - 101
JO - Nurse Education in Practice
JF - Nurse Education in Practice
ER -