Do multiple true-false items beat the commonly used one-best-answers questions regarding to the Ottawa Criteria for Good Assessment? Results of a literature review

Background: Multiple True-False-Items (MTF-Items) might offer some advantages compared to one-best-answer-questions (TypeA) as they allow more than one correct answer and may better represent clinical decisions. However, in medical education assessment MTF-Items are seldom used. Summary of Work: With this literature review existing findings on MTF-items and on TypeA were compared along the Ottawa Criteria for Good Assessment, i.e. (1) reproducibility, (2) feasibility, (3) validity, (4) acceptance, (5) educational effect, (6) catalytic effects, and (7) equivalence. We conducted a literature research on ERIC and Google Scholar including papers from the years 1935 to 2014. We used the search terms “multiple true-false”, “true-false”, “true/false”, and “Kprim” combined with “exam”, “test”, and “assessment”. Summary of Results: We included 29 out of 33 studies. Four of them were carried out in the medical field Compared to TypeA, MTF-Items are associated with (1) higher reproducibility (2) lower feasibility (3) similar validity (4) higher acceptance (5) higher educational effect (6) no studies on catalytic effects or (7) equivalence. Discussion and Conclusions: While studies show overall good characteristics of MTF items according to the Ottawa criteria, this type of question seems to be rather seldom used. One reason might be the reported lower feasibility. Overall the literature base is still weak. Furthermore, only 14 % of literature is from the medical domain. Further studies to better understand the characteristics of MTF-Items in the medical domain are warranted. Take-home messages: Overall the literature base is weak and therefore further studies are needed. Existing studies show that: MTF-Items show higher reliability, acceptance and educational effect; MTF-Items are more difficult to produce

On the decline of life in health and disease, being an attempt to investigate the causes of longevity : and the best means of attaining a healthful old age

by Barnard van Oven

Membrane Systems Working with the PFactor: Best Strategy to Solve Complex Problems.

A membrane system is a massive parallel system, which is inspired by the living cells when processing information. As a part of unconventional computing, membrane systems are proven to be effective in solving complex problems. A new factor is introduced. This factor can decide whether a technique is worthwhile being used or not. The use of this factor provides the best chances for selecting the strategy for the rules application phase. Referring to the “best” is in reference to the one that reduces execution time within the membrane system. A pre-analysis of the membrane system determines the P-factor, which in return advises the optimal strategy to use. In particular, this paper compares the use of two strategies based on the P-factor and provides results upon the application of them. The paper concludes that the P-factor is an effective indicator for choosing the right strategy to implement the rules application phase in membrane systems.

Difference Blindness vs. Bias Awareness: Why Law Firms with the Best of Intentions Have Failed to Create Diverse Partnerships

This Article uses the example of BigLaw firms to explore the challenges that many elite organizations face in providing equal opportunity to their workers. Despite good intentions and the investment of significant resources, large law firms have been consistently unable to deliver diverse partnership structures - especially in more senior positions of power. Building on implicit and institutional bias scholarship and on successful approaches described in the organizational behavior literature, we argue that a significant barrier to systemic diversity at the law firm partnership level has been, paradoxically, the insistence on difference blindness standards that seek to evaluate each person on their individual merit. While powerful in dismantling intentional discrimination, these standards rely on an assumption that lawyers are, and have the power to act as, atomistic individuals - a dangerous assumption that has been disproven consistently by the literature establishing the continuing and powerful influence of implicit and institutional bias. Accordingly, difference blindness, which holds all lawyers accountable to seemingly neutral standards, disproportionately disadvantages diverse populations and normalizes the dominance of certain actors - here, white men - by creating the illusion that success or failure depends upon individual rather than structural constraints. In contrast, we argue that a bias awareness approach that encourages identity awareness and a relational framework is a more promising way to promote equality, equity, and inclusion.

An Analysis of U.S. Air Force Policy and Installation CO2 Emissions to Determine Best Practices for the Implementation of Executive Order 13514

United States Air Force (USAF) energy policy is a measured but aggressive response to federal energy policy guidance. Previous USAF efforts, like those of the federal government, focused primarily on energy intensity reduction, cost, and BTU savings, and in certain cases have resulted in facility greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. The USAF now faces the challenge of integrating GHG reduction goals and inventory requirements set forth in Executive Order 13514. Using USAF reported energy consumption data, facility GHG emission estimates have been synthesized to identify trends and elucidate existing energy best practices to be applied as part of overarching USAF GHG mitigation efforts and to highlight areas of possible concern for the integration of EO 13514 into operational USAF policy.

The entomologist's useful compendium; or, An introduction to the knowledge of British insects, comprising the best means of obtaining and preserving them, and a description of the apparatus generally used; together with the genera of Linné, and the modern method of arranging the classes...according to the views of Dr. Leach...with instructions for collecting and fitting up objects for the microscope.

1821

The American farrier; containing a minute account of the formation of every part of the horse, with a desription of all the diseases to which each part is liable; the best remedies to be applied, and the most approved mode of treatment for preventing disorders: acompanied with a list of medicines.

Mode of access: Internet.

The variorum teacher's edition of the Holy Bible : containing the Old and New Testaments ; translated out of the original tongues; and with the former translations diligently compared and revised, by His Majesty's special command ; with various renderings and readings from the best authorities, and the aids to the student of the Holy Bible.

Pref. signed: C.J. Ball.

A bibliography of philosophy : being the sections relating to that subject in the Best books and the Reader's guide /

Mode of access: Internet.

The railway anecdote book : a collection of the best and newest anecdotes and tales, to the present day : selected for the reading of railway passengers.

Printed wrapper.

Every-day cookery for every family : containing nearly 1,000 receipts adapted to moderate incomes and comprising the best and most economical methods of roasting, boiling, broiling, and stewing all kinds of meats, fish, poultry, game and vegetables : simple inexpensive instructions for making pies, puddings, tarts and all other pastry : how to pickle and preserve fruits and vegetables : suitable cookery for invalids and children : food in season and how to choose it : the best ways to make domestic wines and syrups : and ample receipts for bread, cake, soups, gravies, sauces, desserts, jellies, brandied fruits, soaps, perfumes, etc., etc. : and ample directions for carving /

"Domestic wines and liquors": p. 226-236.

Bibliotheca politica: or, An enquiry into the antient constitution of the English government, with respect to the just extent of the regal power ... In fourteen dialogues. Collected out of the best authors, antient and modern.

Mode of access: Internet.

Afro-American encyclopaedia : or, the thoughts, doings, and sayings of the race, embracing addresses, lectures, biographical sketches, sermons, poems, names of universities, colleges, seminaries, newspapers, books, and a history of the denominations, giving the numerical strength of each. In fact, it teaches every subject of interest to the colored people, as discussed by more than one hundred of their wisest and best men and women /

Mode of access: Internet.

Modern English literature; a selection of the best known works circulated, with which is embodied a guide to popular works of fiction.

Mode of access: Internet.