[Assessment of two evaluation methods in cognitive domain for dental students in orthodontic department: CBT versus PBT]

ABSTRACT

The computer-based testing [CBT] is now an accepted tool for assessment in fields of higher education but there is a lack of empirical research in the usefulness of computer in evaluation of medical sciences. The purpose of this study was to compare the dental students' performance test scores with computerized and paper-based testing [PBT]. This analytical study was carried out on 46 dental students at orthodontic department of Yazd University of medical sciences in 2004. The new software with selected questions and commercial paper-based testing were used for CBT and PBT, respectively. Analysis of data was carried out using t-test and correlation test of Spearman. There was a significant correlation between CBT and PBT for students' scores [r=0.6, p=0.000], however, no statically significant correlation was found between mean scores obtained for CBT and PBT. Our results indicated that the CBT could be reliably used for the purpose of student ranking but care should be taken in using it for grading