[Phys-L] Re: Whither Introductory Physics Labs? (was Lab Reports - was Human Error)

[John M Clement <clement@HAL-PC.ORG>]

I don't think that interviews were ever called poor evidence.  However
anecdotal reports are suspect because they are uncontrolled reports.
 Interview protocols are organized and students are selected for the
interviews.  The FCI/FMCE are verified by formal interviews, not
informal interviews.  Informal interviews like anecdotal evidence can
serve as supporting information, and good stories which enliven an
otherwise dull article, but they can not generally be primary proof.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX


> John Clement wrote:
> > Generally students who do well can discuss and tell you what they
> > understand.  So I do see a correlation between high evaluation
> > scores and
> > other indicators.  But more to the point, these tests were developed
> > using
> > other written and verbal evaluations.  They were developed using
> > interview
> > protocols, so they are certainly fairly accurate.
> > ...
> >
> > The bottom line is that you may be achieving exactly what you think,
> > but you
> > have little hard evidence unless you pre and posttest using these
> > instruments.
>
> Does this strike anyone else as internally inconsistent?
> * The basis for the validity of "these tests" is detailed
> interviews, etc.
> * Yet, having the results of detailed interviews (as Edmiston
> described)
> is considered "little hard evidence".
>
> Sure, the detailed interviews would make comparisons between
> institutions difficult, even if they were recorded (which I'm sure
> they
> were not).  But such a comparison is irrelevant to the conclusion
> being
> drawn.
>
> Sorry for a post that will be meaningless unless you have followed
> the
> thread...
> --
> Dr. James McLean                     phone: (585) 245-5897
> Dept. of Physics and Astronomy       FAX:   (585) 245-5288
> SUNY Geneseo                         email: mclean@geneseo.edu
> 1 College Circle                     web:
> http://www.geneseo.edu/~mclean
> Geneseo, NY  14454-1401
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