Effect of Two Retrieval Practices on Anatomy Scores among MBBS Students

To compare anatomy scores following retrieval practice (RP) using multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and short-answer questions (SAQs) in the head and neck and endocrinology modules.

A quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Anatomy, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan, from April 2023 to February 2024.

A total of 350 second-year MBBS students were equally divided into two groups: Group A (all the odd roll numbers) and Group B (all the even roll numbers). Group A practiced retrieval using SAQs and Group B using MCQs in the first module and vice versa in the second module. RP exercises were administered by the principal investigator at the end of lectures, followed by immediate feedback. At the end of each module, a formative assessment of 25 MCQs was administered to assess student performance. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 20. An independent samples t-test was used to compare scores between the groups within each module, whereas a paired samples t-test was employed to compare MCQ- and SAQ-based performance across the two modules.

Students engaged in RP using SAQs achieved significantly higher scores (mean = 81.734 ± 17.444) than those who practiced with MCQs (mean = 70.978 ± 17.027, p = 0.024). The student deemed the RP exercises to be beneficial.

RP is beneficial for improving academic performance. SAQs were more effective than MCQs in promoting retention.

Retrieval practice, Multiple-choice questions, Short-answer questions, Learning, Memory.