Supporting physics teaching with research-based resources

The level of research validation for a teaching method is determined by how many of the following categories of research have been done on the method:

Categories of research validation:

Based on Research Into:

• theories of how students learn
• student ideas about specific topics

• conceptual understanding
• problem-solving skills
• lab skills
• beliefs and attitudes
• attendance
• retention of students
• success of underrepresented groups
• performance in subsequent classes

• cycle of research and redevelopment
• student interviews
• classroom observations
• analysis of written work
• research at multiple institutions
• research by multiple groups
• peer-reviewed publication

Research Validation Levels:

• Gold Star: both "based on" categories, at least 4 "demonstrated to improve" categories, at least 5 "studied using" categories
• Silver: at least 1 "based on" categories, at least 2 "demonstrated to improve" categories, at least 4 "studied using" categories
• Bronze: 3 at least 1 "based on" categories, at least 1 "demonstrated to improve" category, at least 1 "studied using" category
• Research-Based: at least 1 validation category