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The impact of feedback and personality type upon students’ ability to self-assess skills, attributes and aptitudes

Finn, G.M.; Sawdon, M

Authors

G.M. Finn

M Sawdon



Abstract

Background: We demonstrate the phenomenon of ‘incompetent and unaware’ in a real world setting. Summary of work: Medical students (193) participated in a self-assessment exercise, requiring predictions of exam grade in 3 domains; knowledge, skills, and behaviours. The exercise was completed 3 times; immediately after January exams, one week after January exams and immediately after May exams. Feedback on assessment ability was given between January and May. Personality type was correlated with self-assessment ability. Students assessed the Conscientiousness Index (CI) scores of themselves and peers. Summary of results: Failing students over predicted their exam performance. Merit students under assessed performance, and pass students accurately self-assessed. Students’ ability to self-assess was not improved after a week of contemplation. Feedback improved failing students’ ability to self-assess but had no impact upon under-assessing merit students. Students were unable to predict their CI scores, but were able to assess peers’ scores. Ability to self-assess was not related to personality type. Conclusions: Ability to self-assess was consistent across physical skills and cognitive aptitudes, but not attributes (conscientiousness). Take home messages: Failing students can become more self-aware with respect to exam performance if they are given appropriate feedback. Self-awareness is crucial for success; students need more guidance on this.

Citation

Finn, G., & Sawdon, M. (2010). The impact of feedback and personality type upon students’ ability to self-assess skills, attributes and aptitudes.

Conference Name 14th Ottawa Conference on the Assessment of Competence in Medicine and the Healthcare Professions.
Conference Location Miami, Florida
Start Date May 15, 2010
End Date May 20, 2010
Publication Date May 1, 2010
Deposit Date Jan 28, 2011
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Publisher URL http://www.ottawaconference.org/home.html
Additional Information Conference dates: 15-20 May 2010

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