Extended matching items
Encyclopedia
Extended matching items/questions (EMI or EMQ) are a written examination format similar multiple choice
questions but with one key difference, that they test knowledge in a far more applied, in depth, sense.
It is often used in medical education
and other healthcare subject areas to test diagnostic reasoning.
The structure has three key elements:
Sources suggest using a minimum of eight answer options to a ratio
of five scenario
s or vignettes
to ensure that the probability of getting the correct answer by chance remains reasonably low.http://www.nbme.org/publications/item-writing-manual-download.html. The exact number of answer options should be dictated by the logical number of realistic options. This ensures that the test item has authenticity
and validity
.
This should be as specific as possible and on reading the lead in question it should be understand exactly what the student needs to do - without needing to look at the answer options. If you need to look at the answers to understand the question, the item has not been well written.
There should be at least two vignettes, otherwise this becomes an MCQ
. Because the item allows for an in depth test of knowledge each of the scenarios should be related to one another by a theme that summarises the question overall. Each scenario should be roughly similar in structure and content, and each has one 'best' answer from amongst the series of answer options given.
Students sitting this test item format have a greater chance of answering incorrectly if they cannot synthesise and apply their knowledge as shown through the work of Susan Case and David Swanson (1989).
Evidence suggests that this format works best when there is a single best answer to each successive scenario
or vignette.http://www.nbme.org/publications/item-writing-manual-download.html
Example of an EMI variant
List of options
Answer Key
Multiple choice
Multiple choice is a form of assessment in which respondents are asked to select the best possible answer out of the choices from a list. The multiple choice format is most frequently used in educational testing, in market research, and in elections-- when a person chooses between multiple...
questions but with one key difference, that they test knowledge in a far more applied, in depth, sense.
It is often used in medical education
Medical education
Medical education is education related to the practice of being a medical practitioner, either the initial training to become a doctor or additional training thereafter ....
and other healthcare subject areas to test diagnostic reasoning.
Structure
The structure has three key elements:
- Answer option list
Sources suggest using a minimum of eight answer options to a ratio
Ratio
In mathematics, a ratio is a relationship between two numbers of the same kind , usually expressed as "a to b" or a:b, sometimes expressed arithmetically as a dimensionless quotient of the two which explicitly indicates how many times the first number contains the second In mathematics, a ratio is...
of five scenario
Scenario
A scenario is a synoptical collage of an event or series of actions and events. In the Commedia dell'arte it was an outline of entrances, exits, and action describing the plot of a play that was literally pinned to the back of the scenery...
s or vignettes
Vignette (literature)
In theatrical script writing, sketch stories, and poetry, a vignette is a short impressionistic scene that focuses on one moment or gives a trenchant impression about a character, an idea, or a setting and sometimes an object...
to ensure that the probability of getting the correct answer by chance remains reasonably low.http://www.nbme.org/publications/item-writing-manual-download.html. The exact number of answer options should be dictated by the logical number of realistic options. This ensures that the test item has authenticity
Authentication
Authentication is the act of confirming the truth of an attribute of a datum or entity...
and validity
Validity
In logic, argument is valid if and only if its conclusion is entailed by its premises, a formula is valid if and only if it is true under every interpretation, and an argument form is valid if and only if every argument of that logical form is valid....
.
- Lead in question
This should be as specific as possible and on reading the lead in question it should be understand exactly what the student needs to do - without needing to look at the answer options. If you need to look at the answers to understand the question, the item has not been well written.
- Two or more scenarios or vignettes
There should be at least two vignettes, otherwise this becomes an MCQ
MCQ
MCQ may refer to* McQ, a 1974 crime drama* McQ Inc, a American defense company based in Pennsylvania* Mathematical Citation Quotient, a measure of the impact of a mathematics journal* Multiple choice question* McQuary limit, or McQ limit...
. Because the item allows for an in depth test of knowledge each of the scenarios should be related to one another by a theme that summarises the question overall. Each scenario should be roughly similar in structure and content, and each has one 'best' answer from amongst the series of answer options given.
Research evidence
Evidence suggests that this format works best when there is a single best answer to each successive scenario
Scenario
A scenario is a synoptical collage of an event or series of actions and events. In the Commedia dell'arte it was an outline of entrances, exits, and action describing the plot of a play that was literally pinned to the back of the scenery...
or vignette.http://www.nbme.org/publications/item-writing-manual-download.html
Other variants
There are some instances where EMIs do not follow the evidence based format. These other uses of the term have been criticised as they do not apply the key principles of the EMQ as stated above.http://www.nbme.org/publications/item-writing-manual-download.html E.g. a question where two lists are offered, one of terms and one of descriptions is often referred to as an EMI.Example of an EMI variant
- This organelle stores the genetic information of a eukaryotic cell.
- This organelle synthesises polypeptides using information provided by mRNA.
- This organelle, found in plants, contains chlorophyll.
List of options
- Chloroplast
- Mitochondrion
- Lysosome
- Nucleus
- Endoplasmic reticulum
- Peroxisome
- Golgi apparatus
- Ribosome
Answer Key
- 4
- 8
- 1