Introductory physics laboratory practical exam development: Investigation design, explanation, and argument

Abstract

This study reports the development, validation, and implementation of a practical exam to assess science practices in an introductory physics laboratory. The exam asks students to design and conduct an investigation, perform data analysis, and write an argument. The exam was validated with advanced physics undergraduate students and undergraduate students in introductory physics lecture courses. Face validity has been established by administering the practical in 65 laboratory sections over the course of three semesters. We found that the greatest source of variability in this exam was due to instructor grading issues and discuss the implications of this result for our ongoing assessment efforts.