Abstract / Description of output
Introduction: Interviews form part of the selection process in many veterinary and medical degree programmes worldwide. However, there is some debate on the reliability and validity of interviews, particularly in the medical sector. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the interview on selection decisions at the R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh.
Methods: An admissions cycle of interviews of 180 short-listed school-leaving applicants to the Veterinary Medicine degree programme was investigated. Selection panels (consisting of a chair and co-interviewer) independently evaluated groups of applicants before interview on the basis of their written application. The applicants were then interviewed and the selectors repeated their evaluations, both independently and after joint discussion. The results of the pre- and post interview evaluations of the applicants were analysed statistically, including with the use of the Kappa statistic.
Results: There was slight to moderate agreement between the chair and co-interviewer on selection decisions/rankings taken before interview but substantial agreement after interview. The agreement between post interview decisions/rankings and consensus decisions/rankings post interview was extremely high. The impact of candidate attributes and performance was further explored and certain attributes had more influence on selection decisions than others.
Discussion: There was significantly more agreement possible between interviewers with regard to selection decisions based on interview assessment compared to pre-interview assessment of written applications. The interview process influenced selection decisions and rankings of candidates.
This study suggests that the interview process for selecting veterinary students is important in facilitating decision making and is a useful selection tool.
Methods: An admissions cycle of interviews of 180 short-listed school-leaving applicants to the Veterinary Medicine degree programme was investigated. Selection panels (consisting of a chair and co-interviewer) independently evaluated groups of applicants before interview on the basis of their written application. The applicants were then interviewed and the selectors repeated their evaluations, both independently and after joint discussion. The results of the pre- and post interview evaluations of the applicants were analysed statistically, including with the use of the Kappa statistic.
Results: There was slight to moderate agreement between the chair and co-interviewer on selection decisions/rankings taken before interview but substantial agreement after interview. The agreement between post interview decisions/rankings and consensus decisions/rankings post interview was extremely high. The impact of candidate attributes and performance was further explored and certain attributes had more influence on selection decisions than others.
Discussion: There was significantly more agreement possible between interviewers with regard to selection decisions based on interview assessment compared to pre-interview assessment of written applications. The interview process influenced selection decisions and rankings of candidates.
This study suggests that the interview process for selecting veterinary students is important in facilitating decision making and is a useful selection tool.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 2012 |
| Event | VetEd 2012 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom Duration: 12 Jul 2012 → 13 Jul 2012 |
Conference
| Conference | VetEd 2012 |
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| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Edinburgh |
| Period | 12/07/12 → 13/07/12 |