Student Outcome Data--How Accurate is it?

[BurgeoningPhD2]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi Student Docs,

I've reviewed many student out come data reports (as I am sure you have too), and can't help but feel that these are not the most accurate parcels of information.

Experienced members-- any thoughts?


Thanks,

BURGE

 

[WisNeuro]

I always check against the APPIC numbers and EPPP pass rates, probably the best objective sources of info, and presented independently. At least the programs I have been involved in have posted accurate data, they can get into trouble if it's not accurate, those are things that will get looked at in a site visit. Some places, I have seen a few diploma mills, present their data tables in a misleading way. Not technically inaccurate, but definitely misleading.

 

[MCParent]

I talked about this in APPIC meetings a few years ago--I'd tried to do some analyses and some schools had numbers wildly off the APPIC data (in the direction not not counting all their applicants; so the denominator in the (got internships)/(applied for internship) equation gets smaller and the % match gets bigger). At the time it didn't get attention but the CoA has finally recognized this is a problem and emphasized that programs needs to be honest. They actually do annual reviews of all C-20 outcome data against their data.

 

[modestmousktr]

What happens when schools combine CPA and APA match rates? I feel this is dishonest and I would like to see the APA-only match rates. Is it appropriate to email them?

 

[WisNeuro]

I think that would be relatively rare. I had one canadian student in my entire program. I don' think it is that disingenuous. This isn't like California schools saying that CAPIC is equivalent, when it is far from the truth. Granted, it'd be nice to see those separately, which you may be able to get another way.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I know I've seen some programs fudging attrition data, and I believe there was a paper out several years ago showing that many programs appear to fudge match data (vs APPIC numbers).

 

[MCParent]

I know I've seen some programs fudging attrition data, and I believe there was a paper out several years ago showing that many programs appear to fudge match data (vs APPIC numbers).

this one

http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2008-05693-008

 

[modestmousktr]

I think that would be relatively rare. I had one canadian student in my entire program. I don' think it is that disingenuous. This isn't like California schools saying that CAPIC is equivalent, when it is far from the truth. Granted, it'd be nice to see those separately, which you may be able to get another way.

Sorry to be late on this, but I was going through my postings to make sure if anyone identified me they were all appropriate, and I realized I never responded! When I wrote this originally I had thought CPA stood for California, not Canada. I don't mind them being combined at all, I doubt the numbers change much when they are separated. Thanks so much for the clarification!