47 citations · 181 across the 18 of their papers we have counts for
18 papers
Online test administration results in students selecting more responses to multiple-choice-multiple-response items
Alexis Olsho, Trevor Smith, Suzanne White Brahmia +3
Multiple-choice multiple-response (MCMR) items (i.e., multiple-choice questions for which more than one response may be selected) can be a valuable tool for assessment. Like tradit…
Replicating analyses of item response curves using data from the Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation
Connor J. Richardson, Trevor I. Smith, Paul J. Walter
Ishimoto, Davenport, and Wittmann have previously reported analyses of data from student responses to the Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation (FMCE), in which they used item res…
The Physics Inventory of Quantitative Literacy: A tool for assessing mathematical reasoning in introductory physics
Suzanne White Brahmia, Alexis Olsho, Trevor I. Smith +3
One desired outcome of introductory physics instruction is that students will develop facility with reasoning quantitatively about physical phenomena. Little research has been done…
Exploring student facility with "goes like'' reasoning in introductory physics
Charlotte Zimmerman, Alexis Olsho, Andrew Boudreaux +3
Covariational reasoning -- reasoning about how changes in one quantity relate to changes in another quantity -- has been examined extensively in mathematics education research. Lit…
When negative is not "less than zero": Electric charge as a signed quantity
Alexis Olsho, Suzanne White Brahmia, Andrew Boudreaux +1
Electromagnetism (E&M) is often challenging for students enrolled in introductory college-level physics courses. Compared to mechanics, the mathematics of E&M is more sophisticated…
Online administration of a reasoning inventory in development
Alexis Olsho, Suzanne White Brahmia, Trevor Smith +3
We are developing a new research based assessment (RBA) focused on quantitative reasoning -- rather than conceptual understanding -- in physics contexts. We rapidly moved administr…
Toward a valid instrument for measuring physics quantitative literacy
Trevor I. Smith, Philip Eaton, Suzanne White Brahmia +3
We have developed the Physics Inventory of Quantitative Literacy (PIQL) as a tool to measure students' quantitative literacy in the context of introductory physics topics. We prese…
Towards understanding and characterizing expert covariational reasoning in physics
Charlotte Zimmerman, Alexis Olsho, Michael Loverude +3
Relating two quantities to describe a physical system or process is at the heart of "doing physics" for novices and experts alike. In this paper, we explore the ways in which exper…
A Conceptual Blend Analysis of Physics Quantitative Literacy Reasoning Inventory Items
Suzanne White Brahmia, Alexis Olsho, Andrew Boudreaux +2
Mathematical reasoning flexibility across physics contexts is a desirable learning outcome of introductory physics, where the math world and physical world meet. Physics Quantitati…
Using psychometric tools as a window into students' quantitative reasoning in introductory physics
Trevor I. Smith, Philip Eaton, Suzanne White Brahmia +6
The Physics Inventory of Quantitative Literacy (PIQL), a reasoning inventory under development, aims to assess students' physics quantitative literacy at the introductory level. Th…
Quantitatively ranking incorrect responses to multiple-choice questions using item response theory
Trevor I. Smith, Kyle J. Louis, Bartholomew J. Ricci +1
Research-based assessment instruments (RBAIs) are ubiquitous throughout both physics instruction and physics education research. The vast majority of analyses involving student res…
A framework for the natures of negativity in introductory physics
Suzanne White Brahmia, Alexis Olsho, Trevor I. Smith +1
Mathematical reasoning skills are a desired outcome of many introductory physics courses, particularly calculus-based physics courses. Positive and negative quantities are ubiquito…
Developing a reasoning inventory for measuring physics quantitative literacy
Trevor I. Smith, Suzanne W. Brahmia, Alexis Olsho +6
In an effort to improve the quality of citizen engagement in workplace, politics, and other domains in which quantitative reasoning plays an important role, Quantitative Literacy (…
Representing uncertainty on model analysis plots
Trevor I. Smith
Model analysis provides a mechanism for representing student learning as measured by standard multiple-choice surveys. The model plot contains information regarding both how likely…
Student understanding of the Boltzmann factor
Trevor I. Smith, Donald B. Mountcastle, John R. Thompson
We present results of our investigation into student understanding of the physical significance and utility of the Boltzmann factor in several simple models. We identify various ju…
Identifying Student Difficulties with Entropy, Heat Engines, and the Carnot Cycle
Trevor I. Smith, Warren M. Christensen, Donald B. Mountcastle +1
We report on several specific student difficulties regarding the Second Law of Thermodynamics in the context of heat engines within upper-division undergraduates thermal physics co…
Student Understanding of Taylor Series Expansions in Statistical Mechanics
Trevor I. Smith, John R. Thompson, Donald B. Mountcastle
One goal of physics instruction is to have students learn to make physical meaning of specific mathematical ideas, concepts, and procedures in different physical settings. As part…
Applying a resources framework to analysis of the Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation
Trevor I. Smith, Michael C. Wittmann
We suggest one redefinition of common clusters of questions used to analyze student responses on the Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation (FMCE). Our goal is to move beyond the e…