Analyzing the FCI based on a Force and Motion Learning Progression

Abstract

In this paper, we bring together a well-established and often-studied instrument assessing students’ understanding about force and motion, the Force Concept Inventory (FCI), and a proposed description of how students develop in understanding of the force concept, the Force and Motion Learning Progression (FM-LP). We report on two phases of content analysis of the FCI and the FM-LP. In the first phase, findings indicate that 17 FCI items address aspects consistent with the FM-LP. In the second phase, our findings show that these 17 items have responses that can be coded to fit the levels of the proposed FM-LP. Implications for future research on both the FCI and the FM-LP are described.