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Oversubscribed social work (SW) courses and a workforce review in Northern Ireland prompted a review of admissions, to ensure recruitment of applicants with strong core values. Concerns regarding authorship, plagiarism and reliability of personal statements, and calls for values-based recruitment underpinned this research. This study evaluates psychometric properties of an SW specific personal statement (PS) and a values-based psychological screening tool, Social Work Match (SWM). Social Work students (n = 112), who commenced the 3-year undergraduate route (UGR) or the 2-year relevant graduate route (RGR) were invited to participate. Their PS scores and SWM scores permitted investigation of scoring outcomes and psychometric properties. Statistical analysis was conducted using Minitab 17. Forty-nine participants (5 male, 44 female) completed SWM on two occasions (October 2020 and January 2021). Findings provide practical, theoretical, statistical, and qualitative reasons for concluding that the PS has substantial limitations as a measure of suitability. It does not compare well with international test standards for psychometric tests. In contrast, SWM is a valid and reliable measure with good discriminatory power, standardized administration and consistent marking. SWM is a viable alternative to the PS for assessing suitability/shortlisting applicants for social work interviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursing students' integration of theoretical knowledge and practical abilities is facilitated by their practice of nursing skills in a clinical environment. A key role of preceptors is to assess the learning goals that nursing students must meet while participating in clinical practice. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to explore the current evidence in relation to competency assessment and assessment approaches, and the willingness of preceptors for assessing nursing students' competency in a clinical setting. The scoping review used the five-stage methodological framework that was developed by Arksey and O'Malley, as well as the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Relevant studies were searched by applying a comprehensive literature search strategy up to April 2024 across the following databases: CINAHL, OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PUBMED. A total of 11,297 studies published between 2000 and April 2024 were revealed, and 38 were eligible for inclusion, which the research team categorised into three main themes: definitions of competence, tools for assessing competence and preceptors' and mentors' viewpoints in relation to the assessment of nursing students' competence. This review established that there are a multitude of quantitative instruments available to assess clinical competence; however, a lack of consistency among assessment instruments and approaches between countries and higher education institutions is prevalent. Existing research evidence suggests that the preceptors carried out the assessment process clinically and they found difficulties in documenting assessment. The assessing of nursing students' competency and the complexity of assessment is a concern for educators and mentors worldwide. The main concern centers around issues such as the interpretation of competence and complex measurement tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This paper is a review protocol that will be used to identify, critically appraise and synthesise the best current evidence relating to the use of online learning and blended learning approaches in teaching clinical skills in undergraduate health professionals. Background: Although previous systematic reviews on online learning vs. face to face learning have been undertaken a systematic review on the impact of online learning and blended learning for teaching clinical skills has yet to be considered in undergraduate health professionals. By reviewing the students' online learning experiences, systems can potentially be designed to ensure all health professional students' are supported appropriately to meet their learning needs. Methods/design: The key objectives of the review are to evaluate how online learning teaching strategies assist students learn; to evaluate the students' satisfaction with this form of teaching; to explore the variety of online learning strategies used; to determine what online learning strategies are more effective and to determine if supplementary face to face instruction enhances learning. A search of the following databases will be made MEDLINE, CINAHL, BREI, ERIC and AUEI. This review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance for systematic reviews of quantitative and qualitative research. Conclusion: This systematic review protocol intends to support the undertaking of a systematic literature review which will report on a combination of student experience and learning outcomes therefore increasing its utility for educators and curriculum developers involved in health care education.

Aims The aim of this study was to complement existing evidence on the suitability of Multiple Mini Interviews as a potential tool for the selection of nursing candidates on to a BSc (Hons) nursing programme. Background This study aimed to trial the Multiple Mini Interview approach to recruitment with a group of first year nursing students (already selected using traditional interviews). Design Cross-sectional validation study. This paper reports on the evaluation of the participants' detailed scores from the Multiple Mini Interview stations; their original interview scores and their end of year results. Methods This study took place in March 2015. Scores from the seven Multiple Mini Interview stations were analysed to show the internal structure, reliability and generalizability of the stations. Original selection scores from interviews and in-course assessment were correlated with the MMI scores and variation by students' age, gender and disability status was explored. Results Reliability of the Multiple Mini Interview score was moderate (G = 0·52). The Multiple Mini Interview score provided better differentiation between more able students than did the original interview score but neither score was correlated with the module results. Multiple Mini Interview scores were positively associated with students' age but not their gender or disability status. Conclusion The Multiple Mini Interview reported in this study offers a selection process that is based on the values and personal attributes regarded as desirable for a career in nursing and does not necessarily predict academic success. Its moderate reliability indicates the need for further improvement but it is capable of discriminating between candidates and shows little evidence of bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]