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Analysis of Individual Test Of Astronomy STandards (TOAST) Item Responses
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Metadata
Title
Analysis of Individual Test Of Astronomy STandards (TOAST) Item Responses
Abstract
The development of valid and reliable strategies to efficiently determine the knowledge landscape of introductory astronomy college students is an effort of great interest to the astronomy education community. This study examines individual item response rates from a widely used conceptual understanding survey, the Test Of Astronomy Standards (TOAST). The TOAST, a 27-item, multiple-choice format, criterion-referenced test, addresses both the full range of topics commonly taught in a one- or two-semester undergraduate introductory astronomy survey courses, and concepts described in various national science education standards, frameworks, and reform documents. The present study involves an examination of responses by 1104 participants, allowing for a rigorous item-by-item and distractor-by-distractor analysis of students’ responses. The results suggest that each individual TOAST item is functioning appropriately across a broad range of students, and has sufficient sensitivity to identify notable student misconceptions. These results also provide an opportunity to identify target areas of opportunity for astronomy education researchers that remain largely unstudied.
Date
01/12/2015
Citation
Slater, S. J., Schleigh, S. P., & Stork, D. J. (2015). Analysis of Individual Test Of Astronomy STandards (TOAST) Item Responses. Journal of Astronomy & Earth Sciences Education (JAESE), 2(2), 89–108. https://doi.org/10.19030/jaese.v2i2.9513
Type of Publication
Author(s)
Slater, Stephanie J. | Schleigh, Sharon P. | Stork, Debra J.
Construct
Methodology
Research Setting
Target Group
Institution(s)
CAPER Center for Astronomy & Physics Education Research | East Carolina University | University of Dubuque
Journal Name
Journal of Astronomy & Earth Sciences Education (JAESE)
Peer-Reviewed Status
Publisher
The Clute Institute
Volume
2
Issue Number
2
ISSN
2374-6254, 2374-6246
Resource Type
Nation(s) of Study
United States of America
Language
English