This essay describes Rasch analysis psychometric techniques and how such can be used by life sciences education researchers to guide the development use of surveys tests. Specifically, document evaluate measurement functioning instruments. also allow construct “Wright maps” explain meaning a test score or survey develop alternative forms tests surveys. provide mechanism which quality sciences–related optimized context (e.g., what topics student has mastered) when explaining results.

Abstract This article presents an empirical study on initial learning progression of energy, a concept central importance to the understanding science. Learning progressions have been suggested as one vehicle support systematic and successful teaching core science concepts. Ideally, will provide teachers with framework assess students' level guide students towards more sophisticated understanding. Taking existing research point departure, developing involves recurring cycles validation...

The purpose of this study was to discover what extent certain common alternative conceptions are held by preservice elementary teachers, determine the relationship between science teaching efficacy and number held, holding specific conceptions. A survey that measured both administered 619 teachers. found participants with greatest correct answers had significantly higher self-efficacy measures than those fewest answers; however, there no efficacy. This also associated persons low...

Abstract This study was conducted in order to identify the intensity of Turkish students' views with regard environmental issues presented national curriculum and determine how these differ by gender, grade level, previous science achievement, socio‐economic status (SES), school location. For this project, a 51‐item Attitude Toward Environmental Issues Scale (ATEIS) created utilized. In total, scale involved 30 distinct issues. These are emphasized current education curriculum. A total 458...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact a mixed-reality teaching environment, called TeachME™ Lab (TML), on early childhood education majors' science self-efficacy beliefs. Sixty-two preservice teachers participated in study. Analysis quantitative (STEBI-b) and qualitative (journal entries) data revealed that personal efficacy outcome expectancy beliefs increased significantly after one semester participation TML. Three key factors impacted teachers' (PST) context TML: PSTs'...

In order to progress as a field, school psychology research must be informed by effective measurement techniques. One approach address the need for careful is Rasch analysis. This technique can (a) facilitate development of instruments that provide useful data, (b) data used confidently both descriptive and parametric statistics, (c) outcome measures offer clinically meaningful guidance researchers practitioners. this paper, we first introduce basic principles undergird use analysis in...

[This paper is part of the Focused Collection on Quantitative Methods in PER: A Critical Examination.] The Rasch model a probabilistic which describes interaction persons (test takers or survey respondents) with test items and governed by two parameters: item difficulty person ability. measurement parallels physical processes constructing using linear measures that are independent particular characteristics sample along unidimensional construct. model’s properties make it especially suitable...

Recent international studies note that countries whose students perform well on science assessments report the need to change education. Some use for diagnostic purposes assist teachers in addressing their students' needs. However, United States, standards-based reform has focused national discussion documenting attainment of high educational standards. Students' achievement is one those standards, and many states, "high-stakes" tests determine resultant measures. Policymakers administrators...

Student conceptual understanding and change is an active area of research in many science disciplines. In the geosciences, alternative conceptions held by students, particularly college are not well documented or understood. To further this body research, students enrolled introductory courses at four institutions completed 265 open-ended questionnaires participated 105 interviews. Data were collected a small private university, two large state schools, one public liberal arts college....

Abstract Over many decades, science education researchers have developed, validated, and used a wide range of attitudinal instruments. Data from such instruments been analyzed, results published, public policies influenced. Unfortunately, most are not developed using guiding theoretical measurement framework. Moreover, ordinal‐level data routinely analyzed as if these equal interval, thereby violating requirements parametric tests. This paper outlines how can use Rasch analysis to develop...

Given the important role that teachers play in supporting student mental health, it is critical feel confident their ability to fill such roles. To inform strategies intended improve teacher confidence a psychometrically sound tool assessing school health self-efficacy needed. The current article details initial development and psychometric functioning of survey (SMH-SETS). A component included Rasch analysis pilot data provide appraisal SMH-SETS evidence. Results suggest exhibits strong...

Social communication is a critical skill for adolescents at risk disorders as they transition from compulsory education to adult contexts. Identifying intervention goals that are well tailored the individual requires information assessments 1) describe examinee's present level of social ability and 2) identify skills just beyond current may challenge examinee. The purpose this study was evaluate psychometric properties new assessment adolescents, explore whether Rasch keyform - scoring...

Achieving competence in scientific inquiry or mastering practices is an essential element of literacy. Clearly, if students’ Scientific Inquiry Competence (SIC) to be improved, a critical step reliably measure it and provide from this measurement feedback for teaching. Although numerous instruments were presented literature assess SIC, the specific potential Rasch integration research assessment individual onto SIC so far underestimated. This article presents details regarding design...

Teachers’ diagnostic competences are essential with respect to student achievement, classroom assessment, and instructional quality. Important components of teachers’ professional knowledge including content (CK), pedagogical (PK), (PCK), their activities as a specification situation-specific skills, accuracy. Accuracy is determined by comparing teacher’s observation incidents subject-specific challenges be identified from scripted situations. To approximate situations close real-life, the...

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is becoming more widely used for performance assessment in dentistry. department of pediatric dentistry at Baylor College Dentistry (BCD) began incorporating the OSCE into its curriculum 1995. This article describes evolution department's use and impact on teaching curriculum. discussion focuses logistics station design, curricular content order, student anxiety, writing scoring exams, assessment. BCD has found that using an OSCE‐based...

Abstract This study examines the relationship between biology teachers' evolution teaching practices and their regard use of Indiana state standards. A survey developed by authors contained five subscales: standards; attitude toward practices; demographic information. was administered to 229 teachers. Data were analyzed using Rasch model convert Likert rating scale data into ratio used for parametric analyses. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships standards standards,...

The so-called control-of-variables strategy (CVS) incorporates the important scientific reasoning skills of designing controlled experiments and interpreting experimental outcomes. As CVS is a prominent component science standards appropriate assessment instruments are required to measure these evaluate impact instruction on development. A detailed review existing suggests that they utilize different, only few four, critical sub-skills in item This study presents new instrument (CVS...

Even graduate physics students have many misconceptions about basic wave optics phenomena. This suggests that there is much room for improvement of the traditional curriculum. An effective way initiating a curriculum change to reconsider and revise expected learning outcomes corresponding assessment instruments. By systematically enriching our instruction with conceptual tasks, we may increase probability actively engaging in aspects optics. In this paper, present process developing an item...