Measuring Maths and Science Misconceptions for an RCT of the Stop and Think Intervention

AssessmentEvaluation
Written By Oxford MeasurEd

Client:             Education Endowment Fund

Duration:        2021 - 2023

Geography:     United Kingdom

Partners:         NatCen Social Research

Solutions:        Assessment

The Stop and Think intervention aims to improve science and maths attainment for Year 3 and Year 5 pupils in the UK. It uses computer-based quizzes and games to train pupils to inhibit their initial response – to “stop and think”. This is intended to give pupils the chance to avoid instinctive answers based on common misconceptions and instead give a more thought-through and reflective answer.

We worked with NatCen Social Research, who evaluated the effectiveness of the Stop and Think intervention. We designed maths and science assessments to measure pupils’ misconceptions in maths and science. These assessments were used in NatCen’s randomised controlled trial (RCT) of Stop and Think to assess whether pupils who take part in the intervention were better able to avoid common misconceptions.

Key Activities:

  • Developing maths and science assessments

  • Qualitative testing of assessment items

  • Psychometric analysis of quantitative pilot assessment data

  • Recommendations for final item selection

Oxford MeasurEd
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