Re: [Phys-l] lab assessment

[Robert Beichner <beichner@ncsu.edu>]

Kyle,

Our test info page mentions the measurement and uncertainty test  
developed by Duane Deardorff. He has put the test and additional info  
at <http://www.physics.unc.edu/%7Edeardorf/uncertainty/index.html>.

Bob Beichner
NCSU


On Sep 30, 2008, at 12:00 PM, Kyle Forinash wrote:
> Hi;
>
> Can anyone point me to a [simple] pre/post test that assesses  
> laboratory/data analysis skills? The only think I see on the NC  
> State assessment web site (http://www.ncsu.edu/per/TestInfo.html)  
> that might apply is kinematic graphs but I think this is more narrow  
> than what I was looking for.
>
> Specifically (as part of a campus wide assessment program for  
> accreditation purposes) some time ago we set up the following  
> general laboratory goals for all of the natural sciences and  
> (naturally enough) don't have the foggiest clue how to assess them.
> ------------------------
> [Students should:]
> 1. Understand the role of empirical data in establishing scientific  
> knowledge.
>    Students explore how data are collected and combined to reach a  
> scientific conclusion. In lab they design and execute experiments to  
> obtain empirical scientific data. Specifically students:
> 	a) Participate in laboratory work.
>   	b) Determine if the methods of an experiment are accurate enough  
> to test the hypothesis (or predictions).
>    	c) Critique experimental design and procedure.
>    	d) Identify how the methods could be improved.
> ----------------------
>
> We don't want to spend a lot of time doing this, enough effort to  
> make it useful to us (and of course the campus wide committee).
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?
>
> kyle