1Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, KMCH Institute of Health Sciences & Research, Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, bhuvana1421@gmail.com
2Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, Karpagam Faculty of Medical Sciences and Research, Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, p69kavi@yahoo.co.in
3Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, KMCH Institute of Health Sciences & Research, Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
4Tutor, Department of Pharmacology, Karpagam Faculty of Medical Sciences and Research, Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, deepikavenu26193@gmail.com
*Corresponding author email id: drs.vinotha@gmail.com
Online published on 12 December, 2019.
Uniformity in valuation is not there when corrected by a single evaluator. Multiple evaluators awarding marks may reduce variation. This study was planned to determine the difference in the marks awarded in undergraduate medical Pharmacology theory papers by single and multiple evaluators.
138 and 127 answer sheets of paper I and paper II were taken for the study. Papers were coded with dummy numbers and equally distributed to four evaluators by lottery method (eight groups). Marks were entered in the score sheet. Then each evaluator was allotted one set of questions to correct in all papers. Marks were again entered in separate score sheet. Mean marks awarded were analysed by unpaired t test.
There was a statistically significant difference in mean marks (p < 0.05) awarded by single and multiple evaluators in one group out of eight groups. There was a statistically significant difference in section wise mean marks (p < 0.05) awarded by single and multiple evaluators in 3 groups of essay and two groups of Short notes.
Though there was variation in marks awarded when a paper was corrected by single versus multiple evaluators, statistical significant difference was not observed in majority of groups. The essay and short notes showed greater variation in marks as compared to short answer questions. However it has to be confirmed with further studies.
Variation, Marks, Single, Multiple, Evaluators, Pharmacology, Medical undergraduate, Theory
