Gender gap and polarisation of physics on global courses

TL;DR

This study investigates gender differences and polarization phenomena in physics understanding among first-year students on a global course, finding no significant gender gap after instruction despite initial differences.

Contribution

It extends previous research by analyzing polarization and gender aspects in FCI responses in an international setting, revealing that polarization is not gender-specific and the gender gap diminishes after learning.

Findings

Polarization occurs in both genders, not unique to one.

Gender gap in pretest diminishes post-instruction.

No significant gender difference at 95% confidence level.

Abstract

We extend on previous research on the Force Concept Inventory (FCI) given to first year classical mechanics students (N=66 students, over four years) pre and post score, for students on an international (global) course at Osaka University. In particular, we revisit the notion of "polarisation" in connection with the six polarisation-inducing questions in the FCI and examine its gender aspect. Our data suggest that this phenomenon is not unique to one gender. Furthermore, the extent by which it is exhibited by males may differ from that of females at the beginning (pretest) but the gap closes upon learning more about forces (posttest). These findings are for the most part, complemented by our result for the FCI as a whole. Although the differences in means for males and females suggest a gender gap, statistical analysis shows that there is no gender difference at the 95% confidence level.