A Generalizability Analysis of a Veterinary School Multiple Mini Interview: Effect of Number of Interviewers, Type of Interviewers, and Number of Stations

Abstract

Background: The number of Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) stations and the type and number of interviewers required for an acceptable level of reliability for veterinary admissions requires investigation. Purpose: The goal is to investigate the reliability of the 2009 MMI admission process at the University of Calgary. Methods: Each applicant (n = 103; female = 80.6%; M age = 23.05 years, SD = 3.96) participated in a 7-station MMI. Applicants were rated independently by 2 interviewers, a faculty member, and a community veterinarian, within each station (total interviewers/applicant N = 14). Interviewers scored applicants on 3 items, each on a 5-point anchored scale. Results: Generalizability analysis resulted in a reliability coefficient of G = 0.79. A Decision study (D-study) indicated that 10 stations with 1 interviewer would produce a G = 0.79 and 8 stations with 2 interviewers would produce a G = 0.81; however, these have different resource requirements. A two-way analysis of variance showed that there was a nonsignificant main effect of interviewer type (between faculty member and community veterinarian) on interview scores, F(1, 1428) = 3.18, p = .075; a significant main effect of station on interview scores, F(6, 1428) = 4.34, p < .001; and a nonsignificant interaction effect between interviewer-type and station on interview scores, F(6, 1428) = 0.74, p = .62. Conclusions: Overall reliability was adequate for the MMI. Results from the D-study suggest that the current format with 7 stations provides adequate reliability given that there are enough interviewers; to achieve the same G-coefficient 1 interviewer per station with 10 stations would suffice and reduce the resource requirements. Community veterinarians and faculty members demonstrated an adequate level of agreement in their assessments of applicants.

Notes

Please contact the first author with requests for access to the 5-point anchored scales used.