Development and Validation of the Star Properties Concept Inventory

Abstract

Concept inventories (CIs)-typically multiple-choice instruments that focus on a single or small subset of closely related topics-have been used in science education for more than a decade. This paper describes the development and validation of a new CI for astronomy, the Star Properties Concept Inventory (SPCI). Questions cover the areas of stellar properties (focussing primarily on mass, temperature, luminosity, and lifetime), nuclear fusion, and star formation. Distracters were developed from known alternative conceptions and reasoning difficulties commonly held by students. The SPCI was tested through an iterative process where different testing formats (open-ended, multiple-choice + explain, and multiple-choice) were compared to ensure that the distracters were in fact the most common among the testing population. Content validity was established through expert reviews by 26 astronomy instructors. The SPCI Version 3 was then tested in multiple introductory undergraduate astronomy courses for non-science majors. Post-test scores (out of 23 possible) were significantly greater (M ¼ 11.8, SD ¼ 3.87) than the pre-test scores (M ¼ 7.09, SD ¼ 2.73). The low post-test score-only 51.3%-could indicate a need for changing instructional strategies on the topics of stars and star formation.

Adaptation of Star Properties Concept Inventory<p>Yıldız Özellikleri Kavram Envanteri uyarlama çalışması

“…In this study, The Star Properties Concept Inventory, developed by Bailey et al (2012), was adapted to Turkish and its validity and reliability were investigated in order to determine students' understanding levels of star and star concepts and alternative conceptions in the field of astronomy. Finally, it was determined that participants had the following alternative views from the answers given to SPCI.…”

“…Therefore, in this study, it was aimed to adapt "Star Properties Concept Inventory-SPCI" developed by Bailey et al (2012)into Turkish and to examine the reliability and validity of the adapted inventory. In this way, it is aimed to acquire a measurement tool that will enable to examine the students' conceptual understanding levels on the basic concepts about stars in detail to the Turkish literature.…”

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AbstractThe aim of this study is to adapt "Star Properties Concept Inventory-SPCI" developed by Bailey, Johnson, Prather, and Slater (2012) into Turkish, and to make validity and reliability analyses of the inventory. The original inventory is consisted of 22 items.

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Design and development of a learning progression about stellar structure and evolution

“…As stated in the introduction, research into students' understanding about SSE is rather limited [32]. Most of the results emerge from more general studies about students' conceptions in astronomy.…”

“…The general topics of the questions (e.g., composition and formation of a star, forces involved in hydrostatic equilibrium) were drawn from an existing multiple-choice instrument [32], but questions were purposely designed for the present study in an interview format. We retained only the first question "What is a star"?…”