ROLE: Researching the Role of Qualitative Analysis

我们提出了一个研究项目，调查定性分析对本科生的概念理解和解决问题的能力在现实的设置大型物理导论课程的影响。 定性分析（QA）的影响将在基于网络的家庭作业环境中以及在课堂交流系统促进的行动学习、课堂形成性评估活动中进行调查。 基于网络的家庭作业和课堂交流系统的应用正在全国范围内的大型科学入门课程中激增。 然而，很少有人知道如何构建基于网络的家庭作业，并积极学习在课堂活动的方式，使学生参与定性分析，促进科学概念和熟练的问题解决的更深入的理解。 将被开发和调查的QA材料将使学生参与由熟练的问题解决者进行的四种类型的定性分析，大致对应于专家式问题解决的四个阶段：概念分析，战略分析。定量分析和Meta分析。 我们将调查这些材料的有效性及其对以下方面的影响：a）学生对概念的理解以及他们分析和解决问题的能力; B）学生对网络作业的态度和成功程度;以及c）学生对网络作业和课堂体验的态度。 拟议的研究将utilization在大型的，技术辅助的入门科学课程，以促进学生深刻的概念理解和熟练的问题解决的定性分析的设计和实施。

We propose a research project to investigate the impact of qualitative analysis on undergraduate students' conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills within the realistic setting of large introductory physics courses. The impact of qualitive analysis (QA) will be investigated both within a web-based homework environment and during acttive-learning, in-class formative assessment activities facilitated by a classroom communication system. The applications of web-based homework, and classroom communication systems, are proliferating in large introductory science courses nationwide. Yet, little is known about how to structure web-based homework, and active-learning in-calss activities in ways that engage students in qualitive analyses that promote a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and skilled problem solving. The QA materials that will be ddeveloped and investigated will engage students in four types of qualitative analyses performed by skilled problem solvers corresponding roughly to four stages of expert-like problem solving: conceptual alnalysis, strategic analysis. quanititative analysis, and meta analysis. We will investigate the effectiveness of these materials and their impact on: a) students' understanding on concepts and their ability to analyze and solve problems, b) students' approach to, and level of success with, web-based homework, and c) students' attitudes as they relate tot their web-based homework and in-class experience. The proposed research will utlimately infor the design and implemention of qualitative analyses in large, techonology-assisted introductory science courses in order to promote deep conceptual understanding and skilled problem solving in students.