Developing, Evaluating and Demonstrating the Use of a Conceptual Survey in Mechanical Waves

Autor/inn/en	Tongchai, Apisit; Sharma, Manjula D.; Johnston, Ian D.; Arayathanitkul, Kwan; Soankwan, Chernchok
Titel	Developing, Evaluating and Demonstrating the Use of a Conceptual Survey in Mechanical Waves
Quelle	In: International Journal of Science Education, 31 (2009) 18, S.2437-2457 (21 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0950-0693
Schlagwörter	Multiple Choice Tests; Diagnostic Tests; High School Students; Physics; Scientific Concepts; Research Reports; Mechanics (Physics); Interviews; Surveys; Foreign Countries; Statistical Analysis; Validity; College Curriculum; Evaluation; Australia; Thailand + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Multiple choice examinations; Multiple-choice tests, Multiple-choice examinations; Multiple-Choice-Verfahren; Diagnostic test; Diagnostischer Test; High school; High schools; Student; Students; Oberschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Physik; Research report; Forschungsbericht; Mechanik; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Survey; Umfrage; Befragung; Ausland; Statistische Analyse; Gültigkeit; Evaluierung; Australien
Abstract	An understanding of mechanical waves is a pre-requisite for the study of many topics in advanced physics, and indeed in many other disciplines. There have been many research studies in mechanical waves, all of which have revealed that students have trouble with the basic concepts. Therefore, in order for teachers to prepare appropriate instruction for their classes, it is useful to diagnose their students' conceptions--if possible before they enter class. It is for this purpose that many diagnostic instruments have been developed, often in the form of multiple-choice tests. In this study, we have used the open-ended Wave Diagnostic Test to develop a multiple-choice conceptual survey in an evolutionary manner. The two-year development procedure included open-ended surveys and interviews involving 299 Thai students and 88 Australian students. The final version, called the Mechanical Waves Conceptual Survey, has been administered to 632 Australian students from high school to second-year university and 270 Thai high school students. Standard statistical analyses show that the survey is reliable and valid. Further validity checks, including consultation with experts, were also carried out. The survey has four subtopics--propagation, superposition, reflection, and standing waves--and the teachers can choose the subtopics relevant for their students. In this paper we also demonstrate the use of a typical survey question to test students' conceptual understanding and identify common alternative conceptions. (Contains 1 note, 7 tables and 8 figures.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10