PHYSICS PROBLEM SOLVING

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Additional Quantitative and Qualitative Data
Quantitative data on the groups’ written solutions was available to me. This data
relates solely to the written solutions and I view the written solution primarily as a source
of insights into what the groups were talking about. Table 2-7 (page 62) lists this
quantitative data for the 14 groups. The percent of the total points possible is listed, and
the mean and standard deviation are given at the bottom of each column. There are two
types of data listed. First, there is an objective evaluation by an independent evaluator
(Dr. Bruce Palmquist) of how closely each written solution follows the steps of the
problem-solving strategy. Table 2-8 (page 63) lists the criteria used to judge the written
solution. It is important to note that only the data on “Generating a Physics Description”
is included in the tabulated scores. Hence, the total possible points is six. These
evaluation scores are the only quantitative, objective measure of the completeness of
their physics description in terms of following the prescribed problem-solving strategy.
Second, the grade the teaching assistant gave their solution is reported in the
second and third columns of Table 2-8. The two columns break down the grade on the
physics description portion of the problem and on the remainder of the problem. The
percent of possible points is shown. For example, Group 5A received 75% of the points
possible on the Physics Description portion, but only 50% of the possible points on the
remainder of the problem. I did not use these grades the students received on the problem
in forming my opinions about how well they functioned as a group.