Assessing the Conceptual Understanding about Heat and Thermodynamics at Undergraduate Level

Vasudeo Digambar Kulkarni; Popat Savaleram Tambade

Vasudeo Digambar Kulkarni
Popat Savaleram Tambade

Abstract

In this study, a Thermodynamic Concept Test (TCT) was designed to assess student’s conceptual understanding heat and thermodynamics at undergraduate level. The different statistical tests such as item difficulty index, item discrimination index, point biserial coefficient were used for assessing TCT. For each item of the test these indices were calculated. For the entire test, test reliability and Ferguson’s delta was calculated. Analysis of data shows that the students have serious difficulties in understanding of heat and thermodynamics in particular and physics in general when taught through traditional teaching method.

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