Research Proposal

Khalil Ur Rehman Wain 04-PhD-021

Supervisor Dr. Muhammad Saeed DIVISION OF EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION LAHORE May 2006

Researcher’s Profile The researcher, Mr Khalil Ur Rehman is a science graduate with major subjects Math A, Math B and Physics along with B.Ed. He did masters in Urdu and Punjabi from University of Punjab Lahore. He earned masters in Education from AIOU Islamabad. Presently he is working as Trained Graduate Teacher at PAEC Model College Nilore, Islamabad.

Continued He is an HEC scholar (Indigenous 5000 fellowship scheme) of Ph.D Education in the Division of Education, University of Education Lahore. He has completed his course work and presently pursuing his PhD research work under the supervision of Dr Muhammad Saeed at the Division of Education, University of Education Lahore.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

DEVELOPMENT OF A STANDARDIZED ACHIEVEMENT TEST IN PHYSICS AT SECONDARY LEVEL

Abstract

The present study has been designed to develop a standardized achievement test in the subject of Physics at secondary level. The test will include items of various cognitive abilities. It will be based on specification grid and other principles of test construction. Item analysis will be done of the piloted items and if needed, the improved items will be again piloted. The final test will be administered on a sample of 6000 students of grade X. The sample will be drawn by using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The study will also reveal the achievement of students in the subject of Physics at secondary level. The key beneficiaries will be the teachers teaching Physics, curriculum developers and teacher trainers.

Objectives of the Study The objectives of the study will be to  Develop items in the subject of Physics at secondary level  Determine psychometric properties of test items using IRT  Assess learning achievement level of secondary school students in the subject of Physics at secondary level

Assumptions of the Study Following will be the assumptions of the Study:  Standardized tests give a fair measure of students performance  Standardized tests provide assessment that are psychometrically valid and reliable  The results of standardized testes are generalizable and replicable  Standardized tests are appropriate tools for high stake decisions  Standardized tests are effective instruments for assessing students achievement  Standardized tests play an important role for the evaluation of specific programmes or curricula

Delimitations of the Study The study will be delimited to  Multiple choice questions (MCQs) of cognitive abilities – Knowledge, Comprehension, Application and Analysis  Secondary grade students studying in government high schools in the province of Punjab

Population All 365129 10th grade students studying in 4482 public high schools in the province of Punjab will comprise of population of the study. (AEPAM, Ministry of Education, 2005)

Sample The sample will be drawn from the entire province of Punjab. It will be divided into four geographical zones i.e. northern, southern, central and eastern. 50% districts from each zone will be randomly selected .An estimated number of 6000 students of class 10th, studying Physics at secondary level will be selected by employing proportionate stratified random sampling technique.

Instrument A self constructed test of 100 items in the subject of Physics in the form of MCQs will serve as instrument of the study.

Expected Beneficiaries of the Research  Boards of Intermediate and Secondary

Education in Pakistan for developing item banks  Curriculum developers to improve curriculum  Teachers to diagnose the learning difficulties of the students  Test developers to develop standardized tests in other subjects at elementary and secondary level

Supervisor’s Comments The scholar is a regular and committed to his research work. He has successfully completed his Ph.D course work. Since November 2005, he has been engaged in his research in the area of Assessment and Evaluation. Developed research proposal and presented in the “In- house Seminar” held in early May 2006. He is advised to review literature and improve the proposal so that it could be submitted to BOS in

Reflection on the Reviewed Literature Sr.#

Books/Journals/ Articles Studied

1.

A Technology to Test Item Writing

2

Research in Education (7th ed)

3

Educational Psychology (9th ed)

4

National Education Assessment System

Author Rold.G.H & Paladyna.T.M (1994) Best,J.W.& Kahn,J.V. (2002) Woolfolk,A. (2004) Ministry of Education, Islamabad. (2005)

Continued Sr.# Books/Journals/ Articles Studied

Author

10

The Basics of Item Response Theory

11

Educational Leadership Vol.2 ,No.6 Understanding Rubrics

Baker.F.B (2003) Heidi Goodrich (1997)

12

Phi Delta Kappan Vol.3,No.4 Co-Opting Standardized tests in the Service of Learning Phi Delta Kappan Vol.2,No.3 Thinking about Standards

Kathe Taylor & Sherry Walton (1997) Nel Noddings (1997)

Phi Delta kappan Vol.2,No.4 Educational Standards: To Standardize or to Customize Learning

Charles M. Reigeluth (1997)

13 14

Continued Sr.#

Books/Journals/ Articles Studied

Author

5

Fundamentals of Classroom Testing

Taiwo.A.A. (1995) Linn.L.R & Gronlund.N. E.(2005)

6

Measurement and Assessment in Teaching (7th ed)

7

Principles of Test Theories

8

Psychological Testing A Practical Approach to Design and Evaluation

Suen.H.K. (1990) Kline.J.B.T. (2002)

9

Psychological Testing and Assessment An Introduction to Tests and Measurement (6th ed)

Cohen.R.J & Swerdlik.M. E.(2005)