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Eastern Michigan University

Writing and evaluating the effectiveness of a modern physics laboratory manual

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Undergraduate physics laboratory activities are the main way that students get to apply physics concepts and develop experimental skills. Consequently, the presentation of experimental techniques is exceedingly important, and a poorly constructed guide could hinder student success. I have created a lab manual for use in PHY 372 Modern Physics Laboratory at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). This lab manual helps students develop experimental skills valuable in their future careers in a variety of fields. I evaluated the teaching effectiveness of the lab manual using a survey at the end of the Fall 2017 semester, revised the lab manual, and evaluated it again at the end of the Fall 2018 semester. The 2018 lab manual improved upon the 2017 lab manual overall but did not effectively implement an inquiry-based lab. Further work can be done to study how the skills gained in this laboratory section help student success in future lab experiences at EMU.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science (MS)
Level thesis:degree_level
Open Access Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Physics and Astronomy
Year dc:date.available
2019

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Pickard, Brendan Jacob
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Jonathan Skuza, Ph.D.
  • Ernest Behringer, Ph.D.
  • Eric Paradis, Ph.D.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/970
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2348

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Eastern Michigan University
Base URL
commons.emich.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Pickard, Brendan Jacob. Writing and evaluating the effectiveness of a modern physics laboratory manual. Open Access Thesis thesis, 2019. https://commons.emich.edu/theses/970