Comparison of Physical Science Misconceptions in Three Levels of Introductory University Physics Classes

Date of Graduation

Summer 1991

Degree

Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Physics

Department

Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science

Committee Chair

Betty Bitner

Abstract

The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to determine the range of physical science misconceptions held by three levels of introductory university physics classes (N = 160). An analysis of variance was used to analyze the differences in misconceptions among the groups. Based on the significant F-ratio, the Scheffé, a post hoc test, was used to determine where the significances were. Results indicated a significant difference in misconceptions between the Physics 203 classes and the Physics 100/101 classes and between the Physics 203 classes and the Physics 123 classes. No significant differences were found between the Physics 100/101 and the Physics 123 classes.

Subject Categories

Science and Mathematics Education

Copyright

© Rebecca Ann Baker

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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