Multiple-Choice Assessments

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation

We have developed several research-validated multiple-choice tests (surveys) based upon research in physics education for introductory physics (energy and momentum, rotational and rolling motion, magnetism, symmetry and Gauss's law, thermodynamic processes and first and second laws) and for quantum mechanics (Quantum mechanics survey and Quantum mechanics formalism and postulates survey).. In addition, the last survey below is an Attitudes and Approaches to Problem Solving Survey which can be administered to student at any level.

The following is the list of the surveys. For each survey, there is a link to the website on Physport/compadre where you can request the survey:

1. Energy and Momentum Conceptual Survey (EMCS): If you are an instructor you can have access to the survey within a few days from here. The development and validation of this survey is discussed in this article: https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1571832 

2. Rotational and Rolling Motion Conceptual Survey (RRMCS): If you are an instructor you can have access to the survey within a few days from here.  The development and validation of this survey is discussed in this article (https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevstper.1.010102 ) and in this article in India.

3. Magnetism Conceptual Survey (MCS): If you are an instructor you can have access to the survey within a few days from here. The development and validation of this survey is discussed in this article https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6404/38/2/025702/meta

4. Symmetry and Gauss's Law Conceptual Survey (SGLCS): If you are an instructor you can have access to the survey within a few days from here.  The development and validation of this survey is discussed in this article https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2238883 .

5. Survey of Thermodynamic Processes and First and Second Laws (STPFASL). If you are an instructor you can have access to the survey within a few days from here. The development and validation of this survey is discussed in this article. Student difficulties with first and second law found via the survey is here. Student difficulties with thermodynamic processes, variables and systems can be found here https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6404/ac7af2/pdf

6. Quantum Mechanics Survey (QMS): If you are an instructor you can have an access to the survey within a few days from here. The development and validation of this survey is discussed in this article  https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3677653  .

7. Quantum Mechanics Formalism and Postulates Survey (QMFPS): If you are an instructor you can have access to the survey within a few days from here. The development and validation of this survey is discussed in this article.

8. All surveys can be downloaded by physics instructors from PHYSPORT on Compadre WITHOUT my permission.

9. Attitudes and Approaches to Problem Solving Survey (AAPS Survey): You can have access to the survey within a few days from here. The development and validation of this survey is discussed in this article and this article and this article and this article.

10.  Survey of Thermodynamic Processes and First and Second Laws (STPFASL-Long). This is a longer version but takes the same amount of time to administer as the shorter version. The difference between this version and the other version is that in this survey, most questions are framed as either yes/no questions or increases, decreases, remains same, not enough information. If you prefer this format, you can use this version. Please note that both the short and long versions of STPFASL survey have been validated for students from introductory level to graduate level.