
RESEARCH LIBRARY
RESEARCH LIBRARY
View the latest publications from members of the NBME research team
Diagnosis: Volume 10, Issue 1, Pages 54-60
This op-ed discusses the advantages of leveraging natural language processing (NLP) in the assessment of clinical reasoning. It also provides an overview of INCITE, the Intelligent Clinical Text Evaluator, a scalable NLP-based computer-assisted scoring system that was developed to measure clinical reasoning ability as assessed in the written documentation portion of the now-discontinued USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills examination.
Behavior & Information Technology
This study builds upon prior work in this area that focused on developing a machine-learning classifier trained on gaze data from web-related tasks to detect ASD in adults. Using the same data, we show that a new data pre-processing approach, combined with an exploration of the performance of different classification algorithms, leads to an increased classification accuracy compared to prior work.
Applied Psychological Measurement: Volume 46, issue 2, page(s) 571-588
This study evaluates the degree to which position effects on two separate low-stakes tests administered to two different samples were moderated by different item (item length, number of response options, mental taxation, and graphic) and examinee (effort, change in effort, and gender) variables. Items exhibited significant negative linear position effects on both tests, with the magnitude of the position effects varying from item to item.
Academic Medicine: June 2022
This study examines the associations between Step 3 scores and subsequent receipt of disciplinary action taken by state medical boards for problematic behavior in practice. It analyzes Step 3 total, Step 3 computer-based case simulation (CCS), and Step 3multiple-choice question (MCQ) scores.
JMIR Medical Education: Volume 8 - Issue 2 - e30988
This article aims to compare the reliability of two assessment groups (crowdsourced laypeople and patient advocates) in rating physician error disclosure communication skills using the Video-Based Communication Assessment app.
Academic Medicine: Volume 97 - Issue 4 - Pages 476-477
Response to to emphasize that although findings support a relationship between multiple USMLE attempts and increased likelihood of receiving disciplinary actions, the findings in isolation are not sufficient for proposing new policy on how many attempts should be allowed.
Educational Measurement: Issues and Practices: Volume 41 - Issue 1 - Pages 95-96
Often unanticipated situations arise that can create a range of problems from threats to score validity, to unexpected financial costs, and even longer-term reputational damage. This module discusses some of these unusual challenges that usually occur in a credentialing program.
Journal of Applied Technology: Volume 23 - Special Issue 1 - Pages 30-40
The interpretations of test scores in secure, high-stakes environments are dependent on several assumptions, one of which is that examinee responses to items are independent and no enemy items are included on the same forms. This paper documents the development and implementation of a C#-based application that uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to produce prioritized predictions of item enemy statuses within a large item bank.