Hj. Burford et al., DEVELOPMENT OF PHARMTEST - A UNIQUE PERSONAL COMPUTER-MEDIATED TOOL FOR ASSESSMENT OF PHARMACOLOGY, Journal of clinical pharmacology, 33(5), 1993, pp. 400-404
This report concerns the development of an assessment model (PharmTes
t)dagger for further evaluation by academic pharmacologists. The conte
nt area chosen for this model is the pharmacology of affective disorde
rs. The components of the PharmTest system are: 1) a cognitive map of
the content area used to develop the learning objectives (Figure): 2)
both lower- and higher-level objectives developed jointly by basic and
clinical faculty; 3) a bank of multiple choice questions (MCQ) judged
to be congruent to the objectives by an expert panel; 4) a software p
rogram (SP) to manage the testing process; and 5) an annotated self-st
udy document to aid students in their review after computer self-testi
ng. PharmTest is designed to assist faculty in producing tests, making
possible student self-testing and study. PharmTest was developed duri
ng a 6-month cooperative project between a faculty member from the Uni
versity of North Carolina (HJB) and faculty of the University of Dunde
e. This report presents the learning objectives and cognitive map deve
loped for the model content topic of ''Pharmacology of Affective Disor
ders.'' Also it suggests a recipe for development of other content are
as of pharmacology based on this project. Also, it presents the develo
pment process for PharmTest. Finally a plan for collecting evaluation
data from academic pharmacology faculty is presented. Implications of
the increased efficiency to faculty in linking learning objectives and
testing are discussed, and a suggestion is made for national evaluati
on of learning in pharmacology.