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Identification and description of the momentum effect in studies of learning: An abstract science concept
Author(s) -
Kwon JaeSool,
Mayer Victor J.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of research in science teaching
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.067
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1098-2736
pISSN - 0022-4308
DOI - 10.1002/tea.3660220307
Subject(s) - momentum (technical analysis) , mathematics education , set (abstract data type) , cognition , inflection point , psychology , series (stratigraphy) , identification (biology) , function (biology) , cognitive psychology , computer science , mathematics , geometry , geology , paleontology , botany , finance , neuroscience , evolutionary biology , economics , biology , programming language
Several studies of the validity of the intensive time series design have revealed a post‐intervention increase in the level of achievement data. This so called “momentum effect” has not been demonstrated through the application of an appropriate analysis technique. The purpose of this study was to identify and apply a technique that would adequately represent and describe such an effect if indeed it does occur, and to use that technique to study the momentum effect as it is observed in several data sets on the learning of the concept of plate tectonics. Subsequent to trials of several different analyses, a segmented straight line regression analysis was chosen and used on three different data sets. Each set revealed similar patterns of inflection points between lines with similar time intervals between inflections for those data from students with formal cognitive tendencies. These results seem to indicate that this method will indeed be useful in representing and identifying the presence and duration of the momentum effect in time series data on achievement. Since the momentum effect could be described in each of the data sets and since its presence seems a function of similar circumstances, support is given for its presence in the learning of abstract scientific concepts for formal cognitive tendency students. The results indicate that the duration of the momentum effect is related to the level of student understanding tested and the cognitive level of the learners.