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Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research
written by Vincent P. Coletta, Jeffrey A. Phillips, and Jeffrey J. Steinert
Preinstruction SAT scores and normalized gains (G) on the force concept inventory (FCI) were examined for individual students in interactive engagement (IE) courses in introductory mechanics at one high school (N=335) and one university (N=292) , and strong, positive correlations were found for both populations ( r=0.57 and r=0.46 , respectively). These correlations are likely due to the importance of cognitive skills and abstract reasoning in learning physics. The larger correlation coefficient for the high school population may be a result of the much shorter time interval between taking the SAT and studying mechanics, because the SAT may provide a more current measure of abilities when high school students begin the study of mechanics than it does for college students, who begin mechanics years after the test is taken. In prior research a strong correlation between FCI G and scores on Lawson's Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning for students from the same two schools was observed. Our results suggest that, when interpreting class average normalized FCI gains and comparing different classes, it is important to take into account the variation of students' cognitive skills, as measured either by the SAT or by Lawson's test. While Lawson's test is not commonly given to students in most introductory mechanics courses, SAT scores provide a readily available alternative means of taking account of students' reasoning abilities. Knowing the students' cognitive level before instruction also allows one to alter instruction or to use an intervention designed to improve students' cognitive level.
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education - Applied Research
- Active Learning
Education - Basic Research
- Assessment
= Standardized Tests
- Cognition
General Physics
- Physics Education Research
- High School
- Graduate/Professional
- Lower Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Research study
PER-Central Type Intended Users Ratings
- PER Literature
- Researchers
- Educators
- Professional/Practitioners
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© 2007 The American Physical Society
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.3.010106
PACS:
01.40.Fk
Keywords:
fci scores, sat scores, student assessment, student problem solving knowledge, text interpretation
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created July 4, 2008 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
September 15, 2008 by Vince Kuo
Last Update
when Cataloged:
May 23, 2007
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AIP Format
V. Coletta, J. Phillips, and J. Steinert, , Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 3 (1), 010106 (2007), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.3.010106).
AJP/PRST-PER
V. Coletta, J. Phillips, and J. Steinert, Interpreting force concept inventory scores: Normalized gain and SAT scores, Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 3 (1), 010106 (2007), <https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.3.010106>.
APA Format
Coletta, V., Phillips, J., & Steinert, J. (2007, May 23). Interpreting force concept inventory scores: Normalized gain and SAT scores. Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res., 3(1), 010106. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.3.010106
Chicago Format
Coletta, V, J. Phillips, and J. Steinert. "Interpreting force concept inventory scores: Normalized gain and SAT scores." Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 3, no. 1, (May 23, 2007): 010106, https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.3.010106 (accessed 12 December 2024).
MLA Format
Coletta, Vincent, Jeffrey A. Phillips, and Jeffrey J. Steinert. "Interpreting force concept inventory scores: Normalized gain and SAT scores." Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 3.1 (2007): 010106. 12 Dec. 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.3.010106>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Vincent Coletta and Jeffrey A. Phillips and Jeffrey J. Steinert", Title = {Interpreting force concept inventory scores: Normalized gain and SAT scores}, Journal = {Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res.}, Volume = {3}, Number = {1}, Pages = {010106}, Month = {May}, Year = {2007} }
Refer Export Format

%A Vincent Coletta %A Jeffrey A. Phillips %A Jeffrey J. Steinert %T Interpreting force concept inventory scores: Normalized gain and SAT scores %J Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. %V 3 %N 1 %D May 23, 2007 %P 010106 %U https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.3.010106 %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Coletta, Vincent %A Phillips, Jeffrey A. %A Steinert, Jeffrey J. %D May 23, 2007 %T Interpreting force concept inventory scores: Normalized gain and SAT scores %J Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. %V 3 %N 1 %P 010106 %8 May 23, 2007 %U https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.3.010106


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