Composite Indices in Anatomy Education Research: Reproducibility as a Minimum Requirement

Abstract

Reproducibility is a minimum requirement for composite indices in anatomy education. Sharma et al. recently introduced the Pedagogical Visualization index (PVI) in this journal, a composite of knowledge gain, engagement, and perceived clarity scaled to 0-1 and used to compare chalkboard and teaching, 3D models, and a hybrid approach. My concern is with the index itself and with what peer review currently asks of composite outcome measures. I would suggest that three conditions should be satisfied before any composite enters the literature as a comparative metric. The PVI is a useful worked example because the paper reports enough detail for a reader to check all three.