Impact of reduced idea density on pharmacy students’ attainment in pharmaceutical calculations: A study protocol for a single-blind multicentre randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: To register as a pharmacist in the United Kingdom, an exam set by the General Pharmaceutical Council must be undertaken. It involves pharmaceutical calculations and shows variable pass rates. Linguistic factors, such as idea density, affect and predict comprehension time. This trial will evaluate the effect of lowering question idea density on attainment in a pharmaceutical calculations exam aligned to that of the General Pharmaceutical Council
Methods: This is a single-blind, parallel 2-arm multicentre randomised controlled trial conducted in 14 Universities across the United Kingdom. A 1:1 randomisation and a sample size of 198 pharmacy students will be sufficient to detect a 1-point difference in the mean scores between the intervention and control group during a pharmacy calculation test with two-tails, 80% power and
5% significance level. Each school will recruit a minimum of 14/15 students. Participants will sit two 12-question pharmaceutical calculation tests. All students will take the same baseline test; then, will be randomised and undertake a second test 2-week after, with standard idea density for the control group and lower idea density for the intervention. Primary outcome: the scores obtained by the students undertaking the second calculation test 2-week after the baseline. Sec�ondary outcomes: percentage of students achieving a pass during the second test; effect of demographic characteristics (first or not-first English language speakers, age, ethnicity, year of study, specific learning disability) on students’ attainment when lowering idea density
Conclusion: Results could inform the development of new standards in pharmaceutical calcula�tions exams.
Trial registration number: NCT05526365 (registered 31/08/2022)