RESEARCH ARTICLE: Perceptions of undergraduate pharmacy students towards online assessments used during the COVID-19 pandemic in a public university in Malaysia

Authors

  • Usman Abubakar Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
  • A'isyah Humaira' Mohd Salehudin International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Nik Afiqah Athirah Nik Mohd Asri International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Nur Atiqah Mohammad Rohi International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Nur Hasyimah Ramli International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Nur Izzah Mohd Khairuddin International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Nur Fariesya Saiful Izham International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Siti Hajar Nasrullah International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Auwal Adam Sa’ad International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2022.221.191198

Keywords:

Emergency remote teaching and learning, Malaysia, Online assessment, Perception, Pharmacy student

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the perceptions of undergraduate pharmacy students towards online assessments used during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, validated and pre-tested online questionnaire. The data were collected from December 2020 to January 2021 and analysed using descriptive and inferential tests.  

Results: Of the 233 respondents (response rate: 72%), approximately 45% strongly disagree or disagree that online assessment is better than the conventional method of assessment. Only 23.6% were very satisfied or satisfied with online assessment, while 28.8% were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied. About 80% experienced problems with online assessment including failure of portal/online server (63.5%), slow or failure of internet connection (45.5%) and a problem with laptop/gadget (40.8%). Females, final year students, and those who have access to very fast internet speed had significantly better perceptions towards online assessment.  

Conclusion: Undergraduate pharmacy students have negative perceptions towards online assessment used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the students experienced difficulties with online assessment and this may affect their performances. The challenges identified should be addressed in order to improve the use of online assessment in the future.

Author Biographies

Usman Abubakar, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

A'isyah Humaira' Mohd Salehudin, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Kulliyah of Pharmacy

Nik Afiqah Athirah Nik Mohd Asri, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Kulliyah of Pharmacy

Nur Atiqah Mohammad Rohi, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Kulliyah of Pharmacy

Nur Hasyimah Ramli, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Kulliyah of Pharmacy

Nur Izzah Mohd Khairuddin, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Kulliyah of Pharmacy

Nur Fariesya Saiful Izham, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Kulliyah of Pharmacy

Siti Hajar Nasrullah, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Kulliyah of Pharmacy

Auwal Adam Sa’ad, International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia

IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance

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Published

11-03-2022

How to Cite

Abubakar, U. ., Salehudin, A. H. M. ., Asri, N. A. A. N. M. ., Rohi, N. A. M. ., Ramli, N. H. ., Khairuddin, N. I. M. ., Izham, N. F. S. ., Nasrullah, S. H. ., & Sa’ad, A. A. . (2022). RESEARCH ARTICLE: Perceptions of undergraduate pharmacy students towards online assessments used during the COVID-19 pandemic in a public university in Malaysia. Pharmacy Education, 22(1), p. 191–198. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2022.221.191198

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Research Article

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