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Measuring the effect of content updates in an undergraduate non-major's physics laboratory

Boyle, William Patrick, IV

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science, Miami University, Physics.
Physics laboratories are a staple of any physics education. They exist to expose students to the material world of physics so that they may have a chance to cement their understanding of abstract ideas. Often these laboratories have students confirming the value of different physical constants or performing experiments to show that a physical law will hold true. While ubiquitous, there is little evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of the physics laboratory. Most research on the matter highlights the ineffectiveness of such courses. Research groups have suggested different methods to improve the effect of laboratory classes; many focus on improving the conceptual understanding gained from the course. This experiment aims to measure the conceptual understanding and scientific reasoning ability of students in a non-major’s physics laboratory and then update the course to be in closer accord with current research based designs and then measure students again. In this way, any change in conceptual understanding or scientific reasoning ability could be claimed to be a result of the updated laboratory material. After running the experiment, it was found that there was a small measurable difference in conceptual understanding between students who completed the reformed laboratory when compared to the classic laboratory.
Jennifer Blue, Dr. (Advisor)
Stephen Alexander, Dr. (Committee Member)
Karthik Vishwanath, Dr. (Committee Chair)

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Boyle, IV, W. P. (2017). Measuring the effect of content updates in an undergraduate non-major's physics laboratory [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1498261226912787

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Boyle, IV, William. Measuring the effect of content updates in an undergraduate non-major's physics laboratory . 2017. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1498261226912787.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Boyle, IV, William. "Measuring the effect of content updates in an undergraduate non-major's physics laboratory ." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1498261226912787

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)