Title : Evaluation of competency based assessment in an undergraduate nursing research course
Abstract:
Competency Based Assessment and evaluation is the current recommendation by the American Academy for Colleges of Nursing. Competency Based Evaluation (CBE) encourages students to have accountability for their learning and allows the student to demonstrate their learning and understanding in ways in addition to examinations. When being evaluated through an exam, students focus on memorization and can have difficulty applying information. Transitioning to evaluating students through application-based activities, time and energy can be focused on understanding nursing research, research practices, and dissemination of evidence-based practice studies. Research is an important topic in nursing it strengthens evidence based practice which guides nursing practice. It is vital that nurses understand evidence-based practice in order to safely care for their patients. This study examined student understanding of research concepts through competency based assessments and evaluation. This was done by removing standard examinations in an undergraduate nursing research class and implementing competency based assessments through assignments and in-class activities. Measurements included self-reported surveys using the Research Competency Scale for Nursing Students (RCS-N) as well as final grades. Data were compared between two groups: those who were assessed through examinations in 2024 and those who were assessed through in-class assignments and activities in 2025. Students who were assessed through assignments reported a statistically significant higher level of familiarity of research concepts taught in the course compared to those were assessed through exams (p < .05). This was consistent for each of the 24 items on the RCS-N. Final grades did not show a significant change after implementation of competency-based assessments and evaluation compared to those final grades with use of exams. Subjectively, our results demonstrate that students feel familiar with topics that are taught in an undergraduate nursing research class. Objectively, this demonstrates that the removal of examinations for assessment did not negatively impact student grades.
