Title: Effect of question type on the performance of Information Technology students

Authors: Toufik Taibi, Walid Ibrahim, Mohammad Hayajneh

Addresses: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada. ' College of Information Technology, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17555, Al Ain, UAE. ' College of Information Technology, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17555, Al Ain, UAE

Abstract: This paper presents the findings of a formal experiment aiming to assess the effect of question type on the performance of students. The experiment was complemented by a survey given to students to express their views on the subject matter. Analysis of quantitative results of the experiment revealed that students at entry-level performed better in MCQs, while junior and senior students performed better in ETQs. Analysis of the qualitative results gathered through the survey revealed that students at all levels prefer MCQs in exams but believe understanding and achievement of learning outcomes can only be done through ETQs.

Keywords: MCQs; multiple-choice questions; ETQs; essay-type questions; formal experiment; quantitative analysis; qualitative analysis; question types; information technology; IT education; student performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2009.026300

International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies, 2009 Vol.2 No.1, pp.76 - 91

Received: 05 Feb 2008
Accepted: 30 Dec 2008
Published online: 05 Jun 2009 *

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