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written by
Lei Bao and Edward F. Redish
Multiple-choice tests such as the Force Concept Inventory (FCI) provide useful instruments to probe the distribution of student difficulties on a large scale. However, traditional analysis often relies solely on scores (number of students giving the correct answer). This ignores what can be significant and important information: The distribution of wrong answers given by the class. In this paper we introduce a new method, concentration analysis, to measure how students' responses on multiple-choice questions are distributed. This information can be used to study if the students have common incorrect models or if the question is effective in detecting student models. When combined with information obtained from qualitative research, the method allows us to identify cleanly what FCI results are telling us about student knowledge.
American Journal of Physics: Volume 69, Issue S1, Pages S45-53
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![]() <a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=2398">Bao, Lei, and Edward F. Redish. "Concentration analysis: A quantitative assessment of student states." Am. J. Phys. 69, no. S1, (July 1, 2001): S45-53.</a>
![]() L. Bao and E. Redish, , Am. J. Phys. 69 (S1), S45 (2001), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1371253).
![]() L. Bao and E. Redish, Concentration analysis: A quantitative assessment of student states, Am. J. Phys. 69 (S1), S45 (2001), <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1371253>.
![]() Bao, L., & Redish, E. (2001, July 1). Concentration analysis: A quantitative assessment of student states. Am. J. Phys., 69(S1), S45-53. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1371253
![]() Bao, Lei, and Edward F. Redish. "Concentration analysis: A quantitative assessment of student states." Am. J. Phys. 69, no. S1, (July 1, 2001): S45-53, https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1371253 (accessed 2 May 2025).
![]() Bao, Lei, and Edward F. Redish. "Concentration analysis: A quantitative assessment of student states." Am. J. Phys. 69.S1 (2001): S45-53. 2 May 2025 <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1371253>.
![]() @article{
Author = "Lei Bao and Edward F. Redish",
Title = {Concentration analysis: A quantitative assessment of student states},
Journal = {Am. J. Phys.},
Volume = {69},
Number = {S1},
Pages = {S45-53},
Month = {July},
Year = {2001}
}
![]() %A Lei Bao %A Edward F. Redish %T Concentration analysis: A quantitative assessment of student states %J Am. J. Phys. %V 69 %N S1 %D July 1, 2001 %P S45-53 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1371253 %O text/html ![]() %0 Journal Article %A Bao, Lei %A Redish, Edward F. %D July 1, 2001 %T Concentration analysis: A quantitative assessment of student states %J Am. J. Phys. %V 69 %N S1 %P S45-53 %8 July 1, 2001 %M 6965425 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1371253 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
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