This study describes the possible variations of thought experiments in terms of their nature, purpose, and reasoning resources adopted during the solution of conceptual physics problems. A phenomenographic research approach was adopted for this study. Three groups of participants with varying levels of physics knowledge--low, medium, and high…

Findings derived from self-reported, structured survey questionnaires are commonly used in evaluation and applied research to inform policy-making and program decisions. Although there are a variety of issues related to the quality of survey evidence (e.g., sampling precision), the validity of response processes--how respondents process thoughts…

This study of the nature and characteristics of thinking examined how university students without full-time work experience and university graduates with work experience think when posed with an indeterminate situation. The focus was on such characteristics as expression tendencies, approaches to responding, thinking movements, and learning…