This study investigated a hybrid assessment format called Multiple-Choice with Elaboration Questions (MCEQs). In these questions, students not only select a multiple-choice answer but also must justify their choice in writing. The research was conducted across four sections of an upper-division psychology research methods course at a large public university. The researcher found that students performed better on the questions that required elaboration compared to traditional multiple-choice questions and students also rated them more positively, viewing them as better assessments of their learning. The study suggests that MCEQs can capture deeper student understanding than traditional multiple-choice items and may support better memory and engagement with material.
This research offers several actionable insights for faculty:
- MCEQs combine efficiency and depth: they retain the quick grading benefits of multiple-choice items while also requiring students to demonstrate their reasoning.
- Requiring justification can help students engage more critically with content, potentially improving conceptual understanding and reducing surface guessing.
- Written responses provide richer data for instructors to identify student misconceptions and tailor instruction or feedback accordingly.
- Students may view assessments as fairer and more authentic when they can explain their answers, which might support motivation and reduce test anxiety.
- Implementing MCEQs requires careful rubric design and possibly more grading time than standard multiple-choice. However, the educational payoff may justify the added effort.
Read the full article here:
Overono, A. (2025). Exploring the impact of required justifications in multiple-choice elaboration questions on student experiences and performance. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 25(4). https://doi.org/10.14434/josotl.v25i4.37317