PER Literature

Search the literature by:

Author Title All Fields

Or find an article by topic:

• Basic Research
• Achievement
• Alternative Conceptions
• Assessment
• Behavior
• Cognition
• Communication
• Learning Theory
• Problem Solving
• Research Design & Methodology
• Sample Population
• Societal Issues
• Student Characteristics
• Teacher Characteristics

• Applied Research
• Active Learning
• Careers
• Classroom Management
• Curriculum Development
• Informal Education
• Instructional Material Design
• Learning Environment
• Pedagogy
• Professional Development
• Recruitment
• School Improvement
• Teacher Preparation
• Technology

By Topic:
Astronomy, Classical Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Fluid Mechanics, General Physics, Mathematical Tools, Modern Physics, Optics, Oscillations & Waves, Other Sciences, Quantum Physics, Relativity, Thermo & Stat Mech

Reviews in PER

Volume 2 of Reviews in PER is dedicated to helping researchers get started in Physics Education Research.

In this review article, a member of the PER community presents an overview of an area of PER:

The Roles of Engagement: Network Analysis in Physics Education Research
by E. Brewe.

Find more articles introducing PER research methods in Volume 2 of Reviews in PER.

Community Resources

• PhysPort
• PER Wiki
• PER-Central Forums
• PERTG
• For the Media

• Reviews in PER
• PERC Proceedings
• AJP (AAPT)
• PR-PER
• Perticles

PER Programs

Browse the different PER groups and their descriptions on the PER Program Map.

For the Classroom

Paradigms in Physics: Quantum Activities
This web page provides activities for Quantum Mechanics classes. Each activity includes learning goals and a guide for instructors. Activities for Operators, Eigenstates, Probability Densities, Stern-Gerlach Simulations, Schrödinger's Equation, and Time Evolution are included.

Find more PER-based Curricular Materials: Course Packages | Student Activities | Pedagogy Guides

Research Instruments

PhysPort: Research-Based Assessments
PhysPort's collection of research-validated physics and astronomy learning assessments and science appreciation surveys are available for many topics and levels of student, from high school through upper division. Information is provided on the goal and structure of each assessment, research results, and best practices for using the assessments. The assessment database also includes the Data Explorer service that analyzes assessments results and compares to national outcomes. Access to the assessments is restricted to verified physics and astronomy educators and researchers.

Find more assessment instruments