Solution method and error evolution of student responses to chain rule problems within a thermodynamics course

Undergraduate Thesis Or Project

Public Deposited

Citeable URL: https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/undergraduate_thesis_or_projects/q237ht32z

Descriptions

Attribute Name	Values
Creator	Founds, Ian, W Founds, Ian W.
Abstract	Chain rules are critical to the process of solving many thermodynamics-related partial derivatives. This study evaluates the solution method and error evolution of students’ responses to a pair of chain rule problems in an upper-level undergraduate thermodynamics course. Students’ responses were categorized by solution method. Students’ solution methods included implicit differentiation, substitution, differential algebra, and chain rule diagrams. In addition to categorizing students’ solution methods, students’ errors were sorted and analyzed. In particular, many students did not know how to hold the appropriate variable(s) constant while evaluating partial derivatives. Students also had difficulties identifying partial derivatives, and reading and building chain rule diagrams. These results could be used to improve student understanding of partial derivatives and chain rules by adjusting the order, portrayal, and intensity of course material.
Resource Type	Undergraduate Thesis
Date Available	2017-06-12T19:09:32+00:00
Date Issued	2017-05-12
Degree Level	Bachelor's
Degree Name	Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Degree Field	Physics
Degree Grantor	Oregon State University
Commencement Year	2017
Advisor	Manogue, Corinne A.
Academic Affiliation	Physics
Rights Statement	In Copyright
Publisher	Oregon State University
Peer Reviewed	No
Language	English [eng]
Replaces	http://hdl.handle.net/1957/61345

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