Review of research into misconceptions and misunderstandings in physics and mathematics

Abstract

Many diagnostic methods have been used to analyze data from large-scale assessments such as the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and the prior research on misconceptions and misunderstandings in physics and mathematics is extensive. This literature review provides an overview of different diagnostic models that have been used to explore student attributes and misconceptions in mathematics and science and how they compare to the methodology used in this study. A comprehensive review of prior research into student misconceptions and misunderstandings in physics related to gravitational force and in mathematics related to linear equations connects the established literature to the current study.