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
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- Communication
- Learning Theory
- Problem Solving
- Research Design & Methodology
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- Societal Issues
- Student Characteristics
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- Applied Research
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- Informal Education
- Instructional Material Design
- Learning Environment
- Pedagogy
- Professional Development
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- 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:
Research in the Resources Framework: Changing environments, consistent exploration
by M. C. Wittmann.
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

Connecting Meaning and Mathematics
This page contains step-by-step tutorials and guided inquiry activities designed to help students discover physical properties and concepts by developing understanding from mathematics. Most of this material is written for upper level classical mechanics courses. Connections are made with the Intermediate Mechanics Tutorials by Ambrose and Wittmann.
Find more PER-based Curricular Materials: Course Packages | Student Activities | Pedagogy Guides
Research Instruments

Relativity Concept Inventory (RCI)
The Relativity Concept Inventory (RCI), developed by Aslanides and Savage, assesses student understanding of special relativity concepts commonly taught in introductory physics courses.
Latest Additions 
Latest Discussion Posts
January 23 at 5:56 PM EST
Patricia Soto
posted X-DBER 2023: Abstract submission (due Feb 12)
to the US - AAPT Physics Education Researc... thread.
January 19 at 6:12 PM EST
Patricia Soto
posted X-DBER 2023: Abstract announcement
to the US - AAPT Physics Education Researc... thread.
September 29 at 2:27 PM EST
Alice Churukian
posted PERLOC Councilor Nominations 2023
to the US - AAPT Physics Education Researc... thread.
July 12 at 10:57 PM EST
Lyle
posted Registered Reports
to the US - AAPT Physics Education Researc... thread.