PERC 2021 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Bias on the Force Concept Inventory across the intersection of gender and race |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Education researchers often compare performance across race and gender on research-based assessments of physics knowledge to investigate the impacts of racism and sexism on physics student learning. These investigations' claims rely on research-based assessments providing reliable, unbiased measures of student knowledge across social identity groups. We used classical test theory and differential item functioning (DIF) analysis to examine whether the items on the Force Concept Inventory (FCI) provided unbiased data across social identifiers for race, gender, and their intersections. The data was accessed through the Learning About STEM Student Outcomes platform and included responses from 4,848 students posttests in 152 calculus-based introductory physics courses from 16 institutions. The results indicated that the majority of items (22) on the FCI were biased towards a group. These results point to the need for instrument validation to account for item bias and the identification or development of fair research-based assessments. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
| Session Time: | Poster Session 2 Room C |
| Poster Number: | 2C-2 |
| Contributed Paper Record: | Contributed Paper Information |
| Contributed Paper Download: | Download Contributed Paper |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
John B. Buncher North Dakota State University Fargo, ND 58108 Phone: 218-303-6935 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Jayson M. Nissen, Nissen Education Research and Design Ben Van Dusen, School of Education, Iowa State University Robert M. Talbot, School of Education and Human Development, University of Colorado Denver Hannah Huvard, School of Education and Human Development, University of Colorado Denver |
