Development and validation of a conceptual survey instrument to evaluate students’ understanding of thermodynamics

We discuss the development and validation of a conceptual multiple-choice survey instrument called thermodynamic processes first second laws (STPFaSL) suitable for introductory physics courses. The uses common student difficulties with these concepts as resources in that incorrect answers to questions were guided by them. After instrument, final version was administered at six different institutions. It students various traditionally taught calculus-based algebra-based classes paper-pencil format before after traditional lecture-based instruction relevant concepts. also upper-level undergraduates majoring Ph.D. benchmarking content validity compared their performance those whom is intended. find although focuses on thermodynamics covered courses, it challenging even advanced students. A comparison base line data validated presented here can help instructors evaluate effectiveness innovative pedagogies designed develop solid grasp concepts.Received 4 January 2020Accepted 8 2021DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.17.010104Published American Physical Society under terms Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution this work must maintain attribution author(s) published article’s title, journal citation, DOI.Published SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasAssessmentConcepts & principlesPhysics Education Research