Exploring Fairness in Online Nursing Assessments: Insights from Nursing Professors and Students

Background: Fairness in online assessment encompasses the equitable and unbiased evaluation of students' knowledge and skills within a digital learning environment, and it is one of the most critical aspects of assessment. This study examined the perceptions of nursing professors and students regarding the fairness of online exams at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS), Shiraz, Iran.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using content thematic analysis. The participants were seven nursing professors and 21 nursing students selected from the school of nursing at SUMS, Iran, using purposive sampling from June 2021 to September 2022. To collect data, semi-structured interviews were conducted individually and online across various platforms until data saturation was reached. The study incorporated researcher reviews, peer evaluations, and oversight by an external observer to ensure data accuracy. Four criteria of Lincoln and Guba were considered to evaluate scientific accuracy and strength.Results: The research revealed three primary themes: fairness, challenges, and strategies for practical online nursing assessments. These themes encompassed 10 categories and 33 subcategories. Both participant groups highlighted the significance of content validity and assessing diverse cognitive skills. However, potential nursing faculty bias and constraints of online testing formats were identified as challenges to achieving fair evaluation.Conclusion: The study highlighted the necessity for ongoing enhancements in the design and execution of online nursing examinations to achieve increased fairness and effectiveness. Established procedures ensured data accuracy and research strength.