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Alignment of pharmacotherapy course assessments with course objectives
Kristina Wittstrom1, Catherine Cone, Krista Salazar
1University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA. kwittstrom@salud.unm.edu
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
|August 28, 2010
Summary
Pharmacotherapy course assessments generally aligned with learning objectives, but uneven coverage of specific goals indicates areas for improvement in curriculum design. This study highlights alignment assessment
Area of Science:
- Pharmacotherapy Education
- Educational Assessment
- Curriculum Development
Background:
- Effective pharmacotherapy education requires alignment between course objectives and student assessments.
- Evaluating this alignment is crucial for ensuring comprehensive learning and continuous quality improvement in pharmacy curricula.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the alignment of instructor-prepared classroom examinations with stated course goals and objectives in pharmacotherapy.
- To identify specific areas where assessment items may not adequately reflect course objectives.
Main Methods:
- Exam assessment items from two pharmacotherapy courses were systematically evaluated.
- Four alignment categories were employed: depth of knowledge, categorical concurrence, range of knowledge, and balance of representation.
- Alignment was measured against established course goals and objectives.
Main Results:
- Examinations demonstrated acceptable overall alignment with course goals and objectives.
- Significant unevenness was observed in the assessment of specific goals, with one goal accounting for 45% of assessment items.
- While all content categories and knowledge ranges were covered, the assessment distribution across objectives under specific goals was not uniform.
Conclusions:
- The study provides quantitative data to guide the revision of pharmacotherapy course objectives and assessments.
- Alignment assessment serves as a valuable tool for continuous quality improvement in pharmacy education.
- Refining assessment strategies can enhance the congruence between learning objectives and student evaluation.
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