The Use of Global Rating Scales and Checklists in Clinical Simulation-Based Assessments: A Protocol for a Scoping Review
Abstract Background Assessment in health sciences education remains a hotly debated topic, with measures of competency and how to determine them in simulation-based assessments enjoying much of the focus. Global rating scales (GRS) and checklists enjoy widespread use within simulation-based education but there is a question regarding how the two strategies are used within clinical simulation assessment. The aim of this proposed scoping review is therefore to explore, map and summarise the nature, range and extent of published literature available relating to the use of GRS and checklists in clinical simulation-based assessment. Methods We will follow the methodological frameworks and updates described by Arksey and O’Malley, Levac, Colquhoun and O'Brien, and Peters, Marnie and Tricco et al and will report using the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. We will search PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, Cochrane Library, Scopus, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, the DOAJ, and several sources of grey literature. We developed a search strategy in collaboration with an experienced research librarian and include an example of a full electronic search in this article. We will screen all titles and abstracts and relevant full-text articles and extract the relevant data using the data extraction form. Quantitative data will be presented as will a narrative account of all included studies. We will import the narrative into Atlas.ti and use thematic analysis to identify themes and map the data. We will be including all identified sources published in English after 1 January 2010 that relate to the use of GRS and/or checklists in clinical simulation-based assessments. Discussion The overview of literature produced will help to identify knowledge gaps and inform future research in the use of GRS and checklists in clinical simulation-based assessments. This information will be valuable and useful for all stakeholders that are interested in clinical simulation-based assessments. Scoping review protocol registration: Open Science Framework (OSF) submitted on 26 November 2021 and available at https://osf.io/7yfbq.