Practice of written feedback in nursing degree programmes in Karachi: the students' perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To identify students' perceptions about the practices of provision and utilization of written feedback in the nursing degree programmes in Karachi.


METHODS
Cross-sectional descriptive study.


METHODS
Nine Nursing Institutions in Karachi, Pakistan were selected for the study, from February to October 2011.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 379 second year nursing students from nine institutions in Karachi. The data was collected through a modified Assessment Experience Questionnaire (AEQ) developed by Gibbs and Simpson. The data obtained through AEQ was analyzed in the SPPS.


RESULTS
Students reported wide variations in the practices related to written assignments, and the provision of written feedback. Although 80% of the students, reported receiving written feedback with or without oral feedback, 20% of them, received only verbal feedback on their assignments. For 44 - 46% of the students, the quality, quantity, timing, and utilization of feedback was below the reference scores, which is indicative of negative perceptions. Only 40% reported receiving feedback on regular basis. Assignment guidelines were not always provided in a written form. In most cases, the guidelines were ambiguous as well as the feedback was not always reflective of the guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings have implications for teachers, students, and institutions similar to the context of this study. Teachers need to be aware of the role and the impact of written feedback on students' learning and develop competence for giving effective feedback. Finally, institutional commitment and policies are needed to promote the practices of written feedback.
School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Amina Aijaz
AA
Khowaja
School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Raisa B
RB
Gul
School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Arusa
A
Lakhani
Institute of Educational Development, The Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Nusrat Fatima
NF
Rizvi
Institute of Educational Development, The Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Faiza
F
Saleem
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014956:Writing; D055815:Young Adult