Education research is our focus
Welcome to PER-Central, a resource collection for physics education researchers. Here you may find articles, theses and dissertations, research groups, curricular material, and news and events of interest to the PER Community. Learn more about PER-Central.
PER Literature
Search the literature by:
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:
Identifying and Addressing Difficulties: Reflections on the empirical and theoretical basis of an influential approach to improving physics education
by P. R. L. Heron.
Find more articles introducing PER research methods in Volume 2 of Reviews in PER.
Community Resources
PER Programs

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

Intermediate Mechanics Tutorials
This web site provides small-group learning materials for teaching intermediate mechanics. The physics is Newtonian with very little Lagrangian formalism. Materials are a mix of conceptual, mathematical, and problem solving University of Washington-style tutorials, as well as related research results, examination questions, and suggested course outlines.
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.
PER Announcements 
Announcing the PhysRev PER Statistical Modeling Review Committee
New committee will support high-quality statistical modeling techniques published and/or referenced in PhysRev PER. Committee chair and members will serve three-year terms.
PER Events 
Physics Education Research Conference 2023
PERC 2023 will be held July 19-20, 2023 in Sacramento, California. The theme will be "Working together to Strengthen the PER Community of Practice."
Latest Additions 
Latest Discussion Posts
May 6 at 2:00 PM EST
Tom
posted Think Aloud Protocol
to the US - Solo Physics Education Researc... thread.
November 7 at 1:14 PM EST
Steve Maier
posted PERLOC Councilor Elections!
to the US - Solo Physics Education Researc... thread.
February 22 at 1:23 PM EST
Steve Maier
posted Call for PERC Proceedings Editor
to the US - Solo Physics Education Researc... thread.
October 29 at 10:45 PM EST
Steve Maier
posted Upcoming Talk!
to the US - Solo Physics Education Researc... thread.