Development and use of diagnostic tests to evaluate students’ misconceptions in science
Abstract
There is now a large body of research which examines students’ misconceptions in a variety of science subject areas. A problem exists, however, in applying the findings of this research to the classroom. One means of improving the application of misconceptions research is by the use of diagnostic tests which incorporate the findings of this research. A methodology for developing these diagnostic tests and the use of two such tests ‐‐ in chemistry (covalent bonding and structure) and in biology (photosynthesis and respiration in plants)‐are described. Analysis of the results of the tests given to class groups illustrate the ease of identification of misconceptions which can be subsequently addressed by the teacher.
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The MDI was developed using the procedure proposed by Treagust.
“They were the two-tier multiple-choice Matter Diagnostic Instrument (MDI) (Appendix A) that was developed using the procedure proposed by Treagust (1988Treagust ( , 2006) ) along with the Matter Unit Test (MUT) (Appendix B).”
From FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS ENGAGED IN A COOPERATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: EVALUATING THEIR ABILITY TO DETERMINE THE STATUS OF THEIR OWN CONCEPTIONS ABOUT MATTER (2013) · cites this paper as Treagust (1988
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Characterizing College Science Assessments: The Three-Dimensional Learning Assessment Protocol
Laverty, J. T., Underwood, S. M., Matz, R. L., Posey, L. A., Carmel, J. H., Caballero, M. D., Fata-Hartley, C. L., Ebert-May, D., Jardeleza, S. E., & Cooper, M. M. (2016) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0162333 · Cited by 262 · see citing works
Hattan, C., Alexander, P. A., & Lupo, S. M. (2024) · Review of Educational Research · doi:10.3102/00346543221148478 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
LEWIS, D. M., TREAGUST, D. F., & CHANDRASEGARAN, A. L. (2013) · COSMOS · doi:10.1142/s0219607712500061 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Treagust, D. F.
- Affiliations
- Curtin University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Treagust, David F.
- ORCID
- Treagust, David F.
- Venue
- International Journal of Science Education
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1988-04
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 159-169
- ISSN
- 0950-0693 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-5289
- OpenAlex
- W1969167987
- Cited by
- 844
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 60 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 40 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 46 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 49 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 42 · 2012: 25
- FWCI
- 21.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Science Education (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Science Education and Pedagogy
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Evolution and Science Education
- Social Sciences › Education › Student Assessment and Feedback
- Keywords
- student misconceptions, diagnostic testing, test development, science education, covalent bonding, molecular structure, photosynthesis, plant respiration
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