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Physical Review Physics Education Research
Meta-Representational Competence in Quantum Mechanics Change of Basis Problems
written by Idris Malik and Warren M. Christensen
Meta-Representational Competence (MRC) is a theoretical framework that is used to analyze how people create and interact with external representations. Within Quantum Mechanics, problems may be approached or perceived differently based on the notation used (either Dirac, Matrix, or Spinor notation) in the problem statement or by the person working on the problem. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to present physics students with change of basis content problems in the context of Quantum Mechanics. These content questions were paired with MRC-focused follow-up questions for the explicit purpose of asking students about MRC concepts directly. Student statements were coded to confirm previously identified MRC concepts and to identify MRC concepts that are novel to this data. Our analysis of three student interviews demonstrates an array of MRC concepts, the usefulness of asking direct questions about MRC concepts as part of an interview, and solidifies MRC as a useful lens for investigating student thinking.
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Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Foundations
- Problem Solving
= Metacognition
= Representational Use
- Research Design & Methodology
= Evaluation
- Upper Undergraduate
- Graduate/Professional
- Reference Material
= Research study
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Free access
License:
This material is released under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
Rights Holder:
Idris Malik and Warren Christensen
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created January 20, 2026 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
January 20, 2026 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
January 20, 2026
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AIP Format
I. Malik and W. Christensen, , Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 22 (1), (2026), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17228).
AJP/PRST-PER
I. Malik and W. Christensen, Meta-Representational Competence in Quantum Mechanics Change of Basis Problems, Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 22 (1), (2026), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17228>.
APA Format
Malik, I., & Christensen, W. (2026, January 20). Meta-Representational Competence in Quantum Mechanics Change of Basis Problems. Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res., 22(1). Retrieved March 7, 2026, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17228
Chicago Format
Malik, Idris, and Warren M. Christensen. "Meta-Representational Competence in Quantum Mechanics Change of Basis Problems." Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 22, no. 1, (January 20, 2026), https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17228 (accessed 7 March 2026).
MLA Format
Malik, Idris, and Warren M. Christensen. "Meta-Representational Competence in Quantum Mechanics Change of Basis Problems." Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 22.1 (2026). 7 Mar. 2026 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17228>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Idris Malik and Warren M. Christensen", Title = {Meta-Representational Competence in Quantum Mechanics Change of Basis Problems}, Journal = {Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res.}, Volume = {22}, Number = {1}, Month = {January}, Year = {2026} }
Refer Export Format

%A Idris Malik %A Warren M. Christensen %T Meta-Representational Competence in Quantum Mechanics Change of Basis Problems %J Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. %V 22 %N 1 %D January 20, 2026 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17228 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Malik, Idris %A Christensen, Warren M. %D January 20, 2026 %T Meta-Representational Competence in Quantum Mechanics Change of Basis Problems %J Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. %V 22 %N 1 %8 January 20, 2026 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=17228


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