Development of Work and Energy in Multi-tiers Test (WE-MusT) to identify students’ conceptions levels: A Rasch analysis model

Abstract

This study aims to develop the Work and Energy in Multi-tiers Test (WE-MusT) to Identify students’ conceptions levels. The research method has been implemented in 4D (Define, Design, Develop, Disseminate). The participants in this study were 230 students, namely, 81 male participants and 149 female participants with an average age of 15-18 years in several high schools and their equivalents in Java. Meanwhile, the research instrument is the product developed in this study. Rasch model analysis was used to identify the level of conceptions. Based on data analysis, all items can be used, except S1 and S6 (Invalid). The WE-MusT also has reliability (0.75) with a Cronbach Alpha, meanwhile, conceptions level of Sound Understanding (14%), Misconception (37%), Partial Negative (31%), Partial Positive (1%), No Understanding (9%), and No Coding (8%). Based on these results, it can be concluded that many students still experience misconceptions and do not understand the concepts of work and energy. This research has implications for the quality of instruments in identifying students’ conception levels and can be a reference in developing diagnostic test instruments.