Here are 43 statements that may or may not describe your beliefs about this course. You are asked to rate each statement by choosing a number between 1 and 5 where the numbers mean the following:

1: Strongly Disagree 2: Disagree 3: Neutral 4: Agree 5: Strongly Agree

Answer the questions by choosing the number that best expresses your feeling. Work quickly. Don't over-elaborate the meaning of each statement. They are meant to be taken as straightforward and simple. If you don't understand a statement, leave it blank. If you understand, but have no strong opinion, choose 3. If an item combines two statements and you disagree with either one, choose 1 or 2.

The information you give about yourself is for no other purpose other than to know if you submitted more than one form and to make sure you are in Dr. Thacker's class.



First Name Here: Last Name Here:

Social Security Number:

1: Strongly Disagree 2: Disagree 3: Neutral 4: Agree 5: Strongly Agree
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1. All I need to do to understand most of the basic ideas in this course is just read the text, work most of the problems, and/or pay close attention in class. 1 2 3 4 5
2. All I learn from a derivation or proof of a formula is the the formula obtained is valid and that it is OK to use it in problems. 1 2 3 4 5
3. I go over my class notes carefully to prepare for tests in this course. 1 2 3 4 5
4. "Problem solving" in physics basically means matching problems with facts or equations and then substituting values to a get a number. 1 2 3 4 5
5. Learning physics made me change some of my ideas about how the physical world works. 1 2 3 4 5
6. I spend a lot of time figuring out and understanding at least some of the derivations or proofs given either in class or in the text. 1 2 3 4 5
7. I read the text in detail and work through many of the examples given there. 1 2 3 4 5
8. In this course, I do not expect to understand equations in an intuitive sense; they must just be taken as givens. 1 2 3 4 5
9. The best way for me to learn physics is by solving many problems rather than by carefully analyzing a few in detail. 1 2 3 4 5
10. Physical laws have little relation to what I experience in the real world. 1 2 3 4 5


1: Strongly Disagree 2: Disagree 3: Neutral 4: Agree 5: Strongly Agree


11. A good understanding of physics is necessary for me to achieve my career goals. A good grade in this course is not enough. 1 2 3 4 5
12. Knowledge in physics consists of many pieces of informatin each of which applies primarily to a specific situation. 1 2 3 4 5
13. My grade in this course is primarily determined by how familiar I am with the material. Insight or creativity has little to do with it. 1 2 3 4 5
14. Learning physics is a matter of acquiring knowledge that is specifically located in the laws, principles, and equations given in class and/or in the textbook. 1 2 3 4 5
15. In doing a physics problem, if my calculation gives a result that differs significantly from what I expect, I'd have to trust the calculation. 1 2 3 4 5
16. The derivations or proofs of equations in class or in the text has little to do with solving problems or with the skills I need to succeed in this course. 1 2 3 4 5
17. Only very few specially qualified people are capable of really understanding physics. 1 2 3 4 5
18. To understand physics, I sometimes think about my personal experiences and relate to the topic being analyzed. 1 2 3 4 5
19. The most crucial thing in solving a physics problem is finding the right equation to use. 1 2 3 4 5
20. If I don't remember a particular equation needed for a problem in an exam there's nothing much I can do (legally!) to come up with it. 1 2 3 4 5


1: Strongly Disagree 2: Disagree 3: Neutral 4: Agree 5: Strongly Agree


21. If I came up with two different approaches to a problem and they gave me different answers, I would not worry about it; I would just choose the answer that seemed most reasonable. (Assume the answer is not in the back of the book.) 1 2 3 4 5
22. Physics is related to the real world and it sometimes helps to think about the connection, but it is rarely essential for what I have to do in this course. 1 2 3 4 5
23. The main skill I get out of this course is learning how to solve physics problems. 1 2 3 4 5
24. The results of an exam don't give me any useful guidance to improve my understanding of the course material. All the learning associated with an exam is in the studying I do before it takes place. 1 2 3 4 5
25. Learning physics helps me understand situations in my everyday life. 1 2 3 4 5
26. When I solve most exam or homework problems, I explicitly think about the concepts that underlie the problem. 1 2 3 4 5
27. "Understanding" physics basically means being able to recall something you've read or been shown. 1 2 3 4 5
28. Spending a lot of time (half an hour or more) working on a problem is a waste of time. If I don't make progress quickly, I'd be better off asking someone who knows more than I do. 1 2 3 4 5
29. A significant problem in this course is being able to memorize all the information I need to know. 1 2 3 4 5
30. Physics is related to the real world and it sometimes helps to think about the connection, but it is rarely essential for what I have to do in this course. 1 2 3 4 5


1: Strongly Disagree 2: Disagree 3: Neutral 4: Agree 5: Strongly Agree


31. I use the mistakes I make on homework and on exam problems as clues to what I need to do to understand the material better. 1 2 3 4 5
32. To be able to use an equation in a problem (particularly in a problem that I haven't seen before), I need to know more than what each term in the equation represents. 1 2 3 4 5
33. It is possible to pass this course (get a "C" or better) without understanding physics very well. 1 2 3 4 5
34. Learning physics requires that I substantially rethink, restructure, and reorganize the information that I am given in class and/or in the text. 1 2 3 4 5
35. I probably won't need physics after I finish with this class. 1 2 3 4 5
36. This physics class is just a hurdle to jump so I can move forward with my goals. 1 2 3 4 5
37. The things I learn in this class will be important in my future career. 1 2 3 4 5
38. It is necessary to undestand physics to have a career in the health sciences. 1 2 3 4 5
39. A primary purpose of this class is to "weed out" some students and prevent them from pursuing a medical career. 1 2 3 4 5
40. Physics plays a key role in understanding modern medicine. 1 2 3 4 5


1: Strongly Disagree 2: Disagree 3: Neutral 4: Agree 5: Strongly Agree


41. I'll probably never use the physics from this class again. 1 2 3 4 5
42. The physics taught in this class helps prepare students for a medical career. 1 2 3 4 5
43. The physics I am learning in this class is valuable for future reference. 1 2 3 4 5







Thank you so much!
 
Designed by Andy Terrel
Last Updated January 18, 2002