The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services (한국응급구조학회지)

The Korea Society of Emergency Medical Services (한국응급구조학회)
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A study of the adequate number of questions in a mock test for the paramedic national examination using item response theory

문항반응이론을 적용한 1급 응급구조사 국가시험 대비 모의시험의 적정성 연구

  • Jung Eun Lee (Department of Paramedicin, Dongnam Health University) ;
  • Jundong Moon (Department of emergency medical service, Kongju National University) ;
  • Ajung Kim (Depatment of Paramedicine, Kyungil University)
  • 이정은 (동남보건대학 응급구조과) ;
  • 문준동 (국립공주대학교 응급구조학과) ;
  • 김아정 (경일대학교 응급구조학과)
  • Received : 2024.06.15
  • Accepted : 2024.08.13
  • Published : 2024.08.31
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Abstract

Purpose: To adjust item numbers in a national test, this study used item response theory to examine changes in average scores, reliability, difficulty, and discrimination according to the adjustment of item numbers. Methods: We analyzed the dichotomous coding of correct and incorrect answers of 473 examinees in a mock test conducted in 2023. Additionally, as an explanatory pilot study, we used an online questionnaire to survey experts on their perceptions of the appropriate item numbers for each test subject from January 18, 2024, to February 15, 2024. Results: Regarding the item numbers on the national exam, experts preferred to reduce the number of management of emergency patients (33.14±6.09, p<.05) and advanced emergency medical care: subtopics (104.49±11.55, p<.05), and the total number of questions (217.82±20.95, p<.05). In a simulation set in which items with low item fit were removed after fitting a two-parameter item response theory model, reliability was maintained at .910 until the 5th test consisting of 185 questions with little loss of difficulty, discrimination, and average score, and there was no correlation between item numbers and average score. Conclusion: Experts responded that reducing the number of items on the national exam was appropriate. As a result of the item reduction simulation, there was no significant loss in the average score, difficulty, discrimination, or reliability. More reliable results could be obtained if the results were based on a validity analysis and analyzed using actual national exams.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 동남보건대학교 연구비 지원에 의해 수행된 것이다.

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