Reading the articles which describes the development of established assessments can be a great starting point to understanding common student difficulties!
J. Clement, Preconceptions in mechanics: Lessons Dealing with Students' Conceptual Difficulties
- This is a book which contains concrete lessons one can use to teach topics on which students are known to have strong misconceptions.
- The lessons are written by physics education researchers and, while they are designed primarily for high-school students, many of the lessons are adaptable to college instruction.
David Maloney (a physics education researcher) wrote an article in 2011 on the existing physics education literature on problem solving. This article also provides some insights into student difficulties in problem solving and how to address them.
- This is an extensive bibliography of science education research (up to 2009) which, among others, documents the following major issues
- Students’ conceptions of various kinds
- Teachers’ conceptions of various kinds
- Instruction taking conceptions into account
- The bibliography includes keywords to facilitate search (for example, looking for students’ conceptions of a specific physics topic). Make sure you read the introduction before looking at the bibliography.
- Article (somewhat old) reviewing the research in physics education written by two renowned physics education researchers
- Among others, it provides references to empirical studies which investigate student difficulties with various topics and short descriptions of what can be found in those references
- It also provides references to articles describing development and assessment of instructional strategies
In addition, see below for other articles which discuss student difficulties in physics:
Astronomy
- I. A. Halloun and D. Hestenes, Common sense concepts about motion, Am. J. Phys (1985)
- D. Hestenes, M. Wells, and G. Swackhamer, Force Concept Inventory, The Physics Teacher (1992)
- J. Clement, Using bridging analogies and anchoring intuitions to deal with students' preconceptions in physics, Journal of Research in Science Teaching (1993)
- F. M. Goldberg and J. H. Anderson, Student difficulties with graphical representations of negative values of velocity, Phys. Teach. 27, 254-260 (1989)
- C. Singh, Effect of Misconception on Transfer in Problem Solving, AIP conference proceedings (2007)
- F. Reif and S. Allen, Cognition for interpreting scientific concepts: A study of acceleration, Cognition and Instruction 9(1), 1-44 (1992)
- L. C. McDermott, M. L. Rosenquist, and E. H. van Zee, Student difficulties in connecting graphs and physics: Examples from kinematics, Am. J. Phys. 55, 503 (1987)
- R. F. Gunstone, Student understanding in mechanics: A large population survey,” Am. J. Phys. 55, 691-696 (1987)
- R. A. Lawson and L. C. McDermott, Student understanding of the work-energy and impulse-momentum theorems, Am. J. Phys. 55, 811-817 (1987)
- J. Clement, Students' preconceptions in introductory mechanics. American Journal of Physics, 50(1), 66-71 (1982)
- J. Clement, The concept of variation and misconceptions in Cartesian graphing. Focus on Learning Problems in Mathematics, 11(2), 77-87 (1989)
- J. Clement, D. Brown, and A. Zietsman, Not all preconceptions are misconceptions: Finding anchoring conceptions for grounding instruction on students' intuitions. International Journal of Science Education, 11: 554-565 (1989)
- A. Jimoyiannis, V. Komis, Computer simulation in physics teaching and learning: A case study on students’ understanding of trajectory motion. Computers & Education, 36, 183–204 (2001)
- M. Finegold and P. Gorsky, Students’ concepts of force as applied to related physical systems: A search for consistency, Int. J. Sci. Educ. 13(1), 97-113 (1991)
- I. Galili and V. Bar, Motion implies force: where to expect vestiges of the misconception?, Int. J. Sci. Educ. 14(1), 63-81 (1992)
- L. C. McDermott, P. S. Shaffer, and M. D. Somers, Research as a guide for teaching introductory mechanics: An illustration in the context of the Atwood’s machine, Am. J. Phys. 62, 46-55 (1994)
- R. Trumper, A cross-college age study about physics students’ conceptions of force in pre-service training for high school teachers, Phys. Educ. 31:4, 227-236 (1996)
- T. Graham and J. Berry, A hierarchical model of the development of student understanding of momentum, Int. J. Sci. Educ. 18:1, 75-89 (1996)
- C. Singh and D. Rosengrant, Students' Conceptual Knowledge of Energy and Momentum, Proceedings of the Physics Education Research conference, Rochester (Eds. S. Franklin, J. Marx, and K. Cummings), 123-126, (2001)
- C. Singh and D. Rosengrant, Multiple-Choice Test of Energy and Momentum Concepts, Am. J. Phys, 71(6), 607-617, (2003)
- L. Rimoldini and C. Singh, Student Understanding of Rotational and Rolling Motion Concepts, Phys. Rev. ST-PER, (1), 010102-1-9, (2005)
- C. Singh, Effect of Misconception on Transfer in Problem Solving, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Syracuse, NY, AIP, (L. Hsu, L. McCullough, C. Henderson Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville New York 951, 196-199, (2007)
- C. Singh, Assessing Student Expertise in Introductory Physics with Isomorphic Problems, Part I: Performance on a non-intuitive problem pair from introductory physics, Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. (4), 010104(1-9), (2008)
- C. Singh, Assessing Student Expertise in Introductory Physics with Isomorphic Problems, Part II: Examining the effect of some potential factors on problem solving and transfer, Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. (4), 010105(1-10), (2008)
Electricity, Circuits and Magnetism
Electrostatics
- D. P. Maloney, Charged poles, Phys. Educ. 20, 310-316 (1985)
- C. Guraswamy, M. D. Somers, and R. G. Hussey, Students’ understanding of the transfer of charge between conductors, Phys. Educ. 32:2, 91-96 (1997)
- C. McMillan III and M. Swadener Novice use of qualitative versus quantitative problem solving in electrostatics, J. Res. Sci. Teach. 28:8, 661-670 (1991)
- C. Singh, , Student understanding of Symmetry and Gauss's Law of Electricity, Am. J. Phys. 74(10), 923-936 (2006)
- Z. Isvan, C. Singh, Improving student understanding of Coulomb's law and Gauss's law, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Syracuse, NY, (L. McCullough, P. Heron, L. Hsu Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville New York 883, 181-184, (2007)
- C. Singh, Improving students' understanding of magnetism, Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), AC 2008-90, 1-16, (2008)
Circuits
- P.V. Engelhardt, Examining students’ understanding of electrical circuits throughmultiple-choice testing and interviews
- This dissertation documents many student misconceptions and reasoning difficulties related to electric DC circuits found by physics education research
- N. Fredette and J. Clement. Students' misconceptions of an electric circuit: What do they mean? Journal of College Science Teaching, 10(5), 280-285 (1981)
- R. Cohen, B. Eylon and U. Ganiel, Potential difference and current in simple electric circuits: A study of students’ concepts, Am. J. Phys. 51, 407-412 (1983)
- D. M. Shipstone, C. v. Rhöneck, W. Jung, C. Kärrqvist, J. Dupin, S. Johsua and P. Licht, A study of students’ understanding of electricity in five European countries, Int. J. Sci. Educ. 10, 303-316 (1988)
- P. Heller and F. N. Finley, Variable uses of alternative conceptions: A case-study in current electricity, J. Res. Sci. Teach. 29:3, 259 (1992)
- L. C. McDermott and P. S. Shaffer Research as a guide for curriculum development: An example from introductory electricity. Part I: Investigation of student understanding, Am. J. Phys. 60, 994-1003 (1992)
- A. Métioui, C. Brassard, J. Levasseur, and M. Lavoie, The persistence of students’ unfounded beliefs about electrical circuits: The case of Ohm’s law, Int. J. Sci. Educ. 18:2, 193-212 (1996)
- J. Bilak and C. Singh, 'Improving Students' Conceptual Understanding of Conductors and Insulators, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Syracuse, NY, AIP, (L. Hsu, L. McCullough, C. Henderson Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville New York 951, 49-52, (2007)
- J. Li and C. Singh, Students difficulties with equations involving circuit elements, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Omaha, NE, (S. Rebello, C. Singh, P. Engelhardt Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville, New York 1413, 243-246 (2012)
Magnetism
- D. F. Styer, Common misconceptions about quantum mechanics, Am. J. Phys. (1995)
- C. Singh, Student Understanding of Quantum Mechanics, Am. J. Phys. 69(8), 885-895 (2001)
- C. Singh, Transfer of Learning in Quantum Mechanics, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Sacramento, CA (Eds. P. Heron, S. Franklin, and J. Marx), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville New York 790, 23-26, (2005)
- C. Singh, Assessing and Improving Student Understanding of Quantum Mechanics, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Salt Lake City, (P. Heron, J. Marx, L. McCullough Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville New York 818, 69-72, (2006)
- C. Singh, M. Belloni, W. Christian, Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics, Feature Article, Physics Today 8, 43-49 (2006)
- C. Singh, Student Difficulties with Quantum Mechanics Formalism, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Syracuse, NY, (L. McCullough, P. Heron, L. Hsu Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville New York 883, 185-188, (2007)
- C. Singh, Helping Students Learn Quantum Mechanics for Quantum Computing, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Syracuse, NY, AIP, (L. McCullough, P. Heron, L. Hsu Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville New York 883, 42-45, (2007)
- C. Singh, M. Belloni, W. Christian, Approaches for Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics: Response to Letters, Physics Today (8), 12-14, March (2007)
- C. Singh, Student Understanding of Quantum Mechanics at the Beginning of Graduate Instruction, Am. J. Phys. 76(3), 277-287, (2008)
- C. Singh, Interactive Learning Tutorials On Quantum Mechanics, Am. J. Phys., 76(4), 400-405, (2008)
- G. Zhu and C. Singh, Peer Instruction for Quantum Mechanics, APS Forum on Education Newsletter, 8-10, Fall (2009)
- G. Zhu and C. Singh, Improving students' understanding of quantum mechanics via the Stern-Gerlach experiment, Am. J. Phys. 79(5), 499-507 (2011)
- G.Zhu and C. Singh, Students' difficulties with quantum measurement, Proceedingsof the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Omaha, NE, (S. Rebello, C. Singh, P.Engelhardt Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville, New York 1413, 387-390 (2012)
- G. Zhu and C. Singh, Students' understanding of the addition of angular momentum, Proceedings of the Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Omaha, NE, (S. Rebello, C. Singh, P. Engelhardt Eds.), AIP Conf. Proc., Melville, New York 1413, 355-358 (2012)
- G. Zhu and C. Singh, Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Measurement: I. Investigation of Difficulties, Phys. Rev. ST PER, 8(1), 010117 (1-8) (2012)
- G. Zhu and C. Singh, Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Measurement: II. Development of Research-Based Learning Tools, Phys. Rev. ST PER, 8(1), 010118 (1-13) (2012)
- G. Zhu and C. Singh, Surveying Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics in One Spatial Dimension, Am. J. Phys., 80(3), 252-259 (2012)
- G. Zhu and C. Singh, Improving Student Understanding of Addition of Angular Momentum in Quantum Mechanics, Phys. Rev. ST PER, 9(1), 010101 (1-12) (2013)
- C. Singh and E. Marshman, Investigating student difficulties with Dirac Notation, Proceedings of the 2013 Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Portland, OR, (A. Churukian, P. Engelhardt, D. Jones Eds.), 345-348,(2014)
- E. Marshman and C. Singh, Investigating student difficulties with time-dependence of expectation values in quantum mechanics, Proceedings of the 2013 Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Portland, OR, (A. Churukian, P. Engelhardt, D. Jones Eds.),245-248, (2014)
- E. Marshman and C. Singh, Analogous patterns of student reasoning difficulties in introductory physics and upper-level quantum mechanics, Proceedings of the 2013 Phys. Ed. Res. Conference, Portland, OR, (A. Churukian, P. Engelhardt, D. Jones Eds.),46-49 (2014)