Using Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) as an Effective Assessment Method in Postgraduate Orthodontic Education in Nigeria: A Review Article

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple choice questions (MCQs) have been effectively utilized as an assessment method in postgraduate
medical and dental education. The main objective of this article was to review MCQs in the medical education literature,
with the aim to suggest concepts and theories that can be applied to enhance the use and effectiveness of MCQs in
postgraduate orthodontic education in Nigeria.
Methods: An extensive review of the medical education literature was conducted to highlight the reasons for using MCQs
as an assessment method in medical education. In addition, there was a review of different assessment frameworks that can
be used to enhance learning by using MCQs. The Part I examination in Dental Surgery of the National Postgraduate
Medical College of Nigeria, was used as a case-study for this purpose. The different concepts highlighted from the literature
were applied to describe how the quality of learning and assessment with MCQs in the Part I Dental Surgery examination,
can be improved upon.
Results: Areview of the literature showed that MCQs can be used to test higher levels of knowledge and clinical reasoning.
Assessment frameworks such as Millard's theory and Learning Oriented Assessment were also used to highlight different
ways of enhancing the quality of assessment and the learning opportunities that can be created from the use of MCQs, using
the Part I examination of the NPMCN as a case study. The review also highlighted effective principles to take into
consideration in designing and setting good quality MCQs.
Conclusion: MCQs can be effectively utilized as an assessment tool to facilitate learning in postgraduate dental education.
The Part I examination in Dental surgery has been used as a case study to describe how MCQs can be used to facilitate
assessment and learning at higher levels of clinical reasoning, while also focussing on the right principles to design very
good MCQs.