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Instrument Validation to Measure Thinking Skills in a Physics Course


Silvia Espinoza-Suarez, Elisa Montoya, Sonia Castro-Cuba-Sayco, Klinge Villalba-Condori and Jari Lavonen
Abstract

This research is related to formulation of a pedagogical test with general objective of establishing influence of an educational program, in levels of thinking skills (comprehension, application and analysis) in students of FIRST cycle of subject of Physics 1 of Technological Institute TECSUP, Lima, Peru. Test was developed with specific objective of determining effect of an educational program; on ability of thought (from taxonomy of thinking skills at levels of understanding, application and analysis) of guiding principles of phenomena that govern basic sciences. Battery of questions in this test was developed based on research related to both Education and Science. In process of its validation, strict techniques of psychometrics were strictly applied. Analysis of validity of content was carried out by expert judges; also, through pilot tests, maximum reliability was reached. It is not enough to affirm that analysis of difficulty of items was rigorously made, item-test correlation and estimation of Cronbach coefficient. As a result of mentioned analysis, using statistical program SPSS version 20 for Windows, six items were validated. In this way, was determined validity content with an average of "V" coefficient of Aiken of 0. 92. In expert opinion, average of Aitkenes Validity factor 0.896 for 6 indicators. For Reliability of Internal Consistency - Application of Pilot Test, a Cronbach's Alpha with a value of 0.711 was obtained, being reliable instrument. It should be noted that this research is part of a broader one, which seeks to determine effect on thinking ability of students of first cycle of TECSUP of subject of Physics I, when they participate in a methodological intervention.

Volume 11 | 06-Special Issue

Pages: 78-86