Can multiple-choice questions simulate free-response questions?

Shih Yin Lin, Chandralekha Singh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We discuss a study to evaluate the extent to which free-response questions could be approximated by multiple-choice equivalents. Two carefully designed research-based multiple-choice questions were transformed into a free-response format and administered on the final exam in a calculus-based introductory physics course. The original multiple-choice questions were administered in another similar introductory physics course on final exam. Findings suggest that carefully designed multiple-choice questions can reflect the relative performance of the free-response questions while maintaining the benefits of ease of grading and quantitative analysis, especially if the different choices in the multiple-choice questions are weighted to reflect the different levels of understanding that students display.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2011 Physics Education Research Conference
Pages47-50
Number of pages4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Event2011 Physics Education Research Conference - Omaha, NE, United States
Duration: 2011 Aug 3 → 2011 Aug 4

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1413
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Other

Other2011 Physics Education Research Conference
CountryUnited States
CityOmaha, NE
Period11-08-03 → 11-08-04

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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