Introductory physics laboratory practical exam development: Investigation design, explanation, and argument
Authors:
- Steven F. WolfSWSteven F. Wolf
- Mark W. SpragueMSMark W. Sprague
- Feng LiFLFeng Li
- Annalisa Smith-JoynerASAnnalisa Smith-Joyner
- Joi P. WalkerJWJoi P. Walker
Open Access
- 13 January 2020
- conference paper
- Published by American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
- p. 657-662
Abstract
This study reports the development, validation, and implementation of a practical exam to assess science practices in an introductory physics laboratory. The exam asks students to design and conduct an investigation, perform data analysis, and write an argument. The exam was validated with advanced physics undergraduate students and undergraduate students in introductory physics lecture courses. Face validity has been established by administering the practical in 65 laboratory sections over the course of three semesters. We found that the greatest source of variability in this exam was due to instructor grading issues and discuss the implications of this result for our ongoing assessment efforts.Keywords
This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit:
- Using the laboratory to engage all students in science practicesChemistry Education Research and Practice, 2016
- Educational Implications of Choosing “Practice” to Describe Science in the Next Generation Science StandardsScience Education, 2015
- Learning to Argue and Arguing to Learn: Argument‐Driven Inquiry as a Way to Help Undergraduate Chemistry Students Learn How to Construct Arguments and Engage in Argumentation During a Laboratory CourseJournal of Research in Science Teaching, 2013
- Discipline-Based Education Research2012
- Argument‐Driven Inquiry as a way to help students learn how to participate in scientific argumentation and craft written arguments: An exploratory studyScience Education, 2010
- Disciplinary authority and accountability in scientific practice and learningScience Education, 2008
- Gender Differences in Both Force Concept Inventory and Introductory Physics Performance2008
- A History of Ideas in Science Education: Implications for PracticeHistory of Education Quarterly, 1992