RUME 26
2024
Omaha, Nebraska
The Journey of Quantitative Literacy Development: Insights From Physics Majors
Page: 1437
In this mixed-methods study we characterize the physics quantitative literacy (PQL) progression of physics majors at a large, public university. We combine quantitative data, as measured by the Physics Inventory of Quantitative Literacy (PIQL), and qualitative data from a free-response survey item that captures student reflections on the fact that PQL is slow to develop for physics majors. We share preliminary results that show students with comparatively high PIQL scores were likely to express surprise that PIQL results do not typically improve over the course of instruction. We also found that lower scoring students were likely to express self-doubt and a desire for instruction that addresses quantitative literacy as measured by the PIQL. This work is a first step in a larger, ongoing project that contributes to the understanding of how students' PQL develops across the physics major, and how instruction can help all students.