This page brings together a number of Physics Education Research (PER) publications by Australian physicists. Two of the major forums for disseminating PER are the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) Congress (biannual) and the UniServe Science conference (annual). For more information please visit their sites by clicking on the names above. 

2005

Journal Papers

D. Muller and M.D. Sharma, Determining the Factors Affecting Student Perceptions of a Popular Science Video, Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 21 (4), 491-509

M.D. Sharma, I.M. Sefton, M. Cole, A. Whymark, R.M. Millar and A. Smith, Effects of Re-using a Conceptual Exam Question in Physics, Research in Science Education, 35, 447-469

M.D. Sharma, A. Mendez, and J. O'Byrne, The Relationship Between Attendance in Student-Centred Physics Tutorials and Performance in University Examinations, International Journal of Science Education, 27, (11) 1375-1389

M.D. Sharma, J. Khachan, B. Chan and J. O'Byrne, An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Electronic Classroom Communication Systems in Large Lecture Classes, Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 21, 137-154
 
S. Britton, P. New, M.D. Sharma and D. Yardley, A Case Study of the Transfer of Mathematics Skills by University Students, International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 36, 1-13
 
Conferences
  
G.I. Swan, Key To Participation, Proceedings of the 16th Australian Institute of Physics Congress, Canberra, 4 pages on CD, ISBN 0-9598064-8-2

A.L. Roberts, M.D. Sharma, S. Britton, P. New, Mathematics Transfer of First Year Science Students, Proceedings of the 16th Australian Institute of Physics Congress, Canberra, 4 pages on CD, ISBN 0-9598064-8-2
 
D.A. Muller, M.D. Sharma, Video Physics Education: Falling cats and Terminal Velocity, Proceedings of the 16th Australian Institute of Physics Congress, Canberra, 4 pages on CD, ISBN 0-9598064-8-2

Books/Reports

M.D. Sharma, D. Mills, A. Mendez, and J. Pollard, Eds, Learning Outcomes and Curriculum Development in Physics: A Report on Tertiary Physics Teaching and Learning in Australia, ISBN: 0-7326-2063-5

2004

Journal Papers

M.D. Sharma, R. Millar, A. Smith and I. Sefton, Students’ Understandings of Gravity in an Orbiting Space-ship, Research in Science Education, 34, 267-289

Conferences

A. Mendez, M. Sharma B. James, D. Mills, J. Pollard, L. Kirkup, M. Livett, R. Newbury, M. Zadnik, and J. Prosser, AUTC Physics Project: Learning Outcomes and Curriculum Development, Proceedings of Scholarly Inquiry into Science Teaching and Learning Conference, UniServe Science, Sydney, 24-29, ISBN 1 86487 665 4
 
M.D. Sharma, C. Stewart and M. Prosser, On the Use of Phenomenography in the Analysis of Qualitative Data, 2003 Physics Education Research Conference, American Institute of Physics Conference Proceedings, Madison, Wisconsin, 720, 41-44, ISBN 0-7354-0200-0

L. Kirkup, Reforming the Teaching of Uncertainty to Undergraduate Science and Engineering Students, Proceedings of the MSA (Metrology Society of Australia) 2004 5th Biennial Conference, Melbourne,  21-25

Theses
 
A. Roberts, Honours Thesis, Transfer of Mathematics Skills and Knowledge with First Year Science Students, (School of Physics, University of Sydney)

P.R. Fletcher, PhD Thesis, How Tertiary Level Physics Students Learn and Conceptualise Quantum Mechanics, (School of Physics, University of Sydney)

2003

Conferences

M.D. Sharma, I. Cooper, C. Stewart, Enhancing Cross Faculty Teaching Using Web-based Activities, Advanced in Technology-Based Education: Toward a Knowledge-Based Society, Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Multimedia and Information & Communication Technologies in Education, Badajoz, Spain, 1309-1313, ISBN 84-96212-09-2

L. Kirkup, G. Mather, L. Wood and P. Logan, Are you being serviced?: Promoting Quality Service Teaching, Proceedings of UniServe Conference on Flexible Learning, UniServe Science, Sydney, 37-42

L. Kirkup, L. Wood, G. Mather and P. Logan, Teaching Mathematics and Physics for Engineers: Reflections from the Chalk Face, Proceedings of the 5th International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Sydney, 97-102

L. Wood, G. Mather, P. Logan and L. Kirkup, Teaching Mathematics and Physics for Engineers: Reflections from the Back Row, Proceedings of the 5th International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Sydney, 295-300

2002

Journal Papers

L. Kirkup, A Guide to GUM, European Journal of Physics, 23, 483-487

K. Wilson, M.D. Sharma and R. Millar, Workshop Tutorials for Physics: Mechanics, Properties of Matter and Thermal Physics, UniServe Science: Sydney, Australia, 296 pages, ISBN: 1 86487 499 6
 
K. Wilson, M.D. Sharma and R. Millar, Workshop Tutorials for Physics: Electricity & Magnetism, Waves & Optics and Quantum, Atomic and Nuclear Physics, UniServe Science: Sydney, Australia, 304 pages, ISBN: 1 86487 500 3
 
K. Wilson, M.D. Sharma and R. Millar, Workshop Tutorials for Physics: Activities, UniServe Science: Sydney, Australia, 268 pages, ISBN: 1 86487 501 1
 
G.I. Swan, D. Veal, and S. Maj, Measurement and Observation Inside a PC, World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, 1 (1) 13, Melbourne-Aalborg: UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education (UICEE). ISSN: 1446-2257

G.N. Gibson and I.D. Johnston, New Themes and Audiences for the Physics of Music, Physics Today, 55 (1), Reprinted in: Parity, 17, (11), Tokyo, 11–19
 
Conferences

M.D. Sharma, J. Khachan, B. Chan, C. Stewart, K. Hogg and J. O'Byrne, A Classroom Communication System for Large First Year Physics Classes, Proceedings of the 15th Australian Institute of Physics Congress, Sydney, 247-249, ISBN 0-9598064-4-X
 
A. Whymark, C. Stewart, M.D. Sharma and M. Prosser, Does the New HSC Physics Syllabus let Students Think Differently about their Physics Knowledge Differently?, Proceedings of the 15th Australian Institute of Physics Congress, Sydney, 265-267, ISBN 0-9598064-4-X
 
A. Leung, A. Whymark, C. Stewart, M. D. Sharma and M. Prosser, The Use of Qualitative Analysis to Measure Changes in Student Perception of Physics as a Result of Changes in HSC Syllabus, Proceedings of the 15th Australian Institute of Physics Congress, Sydney, 262-264, ISBN 0-9598064-4-X
 
K. Wilson, M.D. Sharma and R. Millar, Using Hands-on Activities in Tutorials, Proceedings of the 15th Australian Institute of Physics Congress, Sydney, 256-258, ISBN 0-9598064-4-X
 
M.D. Sharma, M. Cole, A. Whymark, R. Millar and A. Smith, On the Repeated Use of Well Designed Conceptual Problems in Summative Assessment Tasks, Proceedings of the 15th Australian Institute of Physics Congress, Sydney, 259-261, ISBN 0-9598064-4-X
 
C. Stewart, M.D. Sharma and M. Prosser, Just How Different are They? Learning Physics in the Wake of the NSW HSC Syllabus Changeover, Proceedings of the 15th Australian Institute of Physics Congress, Sydney, 223-225, ISBN 0-9598064-4-X
 
K. Hogg, J. O'Byrne R. Cross, R. Millar and M.D. Sharma, Development of a New Approach to Teaching Sports Mechanics, Proceedings of the 15th Australian Institute of Physics Congress, Sydney 2002, 244-246, ISBN 0-9598064-4-X
 
K. Wilson, T. Peseta, M.D. Sharma and R. Millar, Evaluation of a Research Based Teaching Development in First Year Physics, Proceedings of Research and Development into University Science Teaching and Learning Conference, UniServe Science, Sydney, 63-68

2001

S. Rodrigues, J. Pearce and M. Livett, Using Video Analysis or Data Loggers During Practical Work in First Year Physics, Education Studies, 27 (1), 31-43

Conferences

P. New, S. Britton, M.D. Sharma and A. Brew, Researching the Transferability of Mathematical Skills, Proceedings of Research and Development into University Science Teaching and Learning Conference, UniServe Science, Sydney, 53-57

G. Swan, Encouraging Students to Interact with Angular Quantities, In G. Kennedy, M. Keppell, C. McNaught & T. Petrovic (Eds.), Meeting at the Crossroads: Short Paper Proceedings of the 18th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education, Melbourne: Biomedical Multimedia Unit, University of Melbourne, 149-152, ISBN 0 7340 2158 5

2000

Conferences

I.D. Johnston and R.M. Millar, Is There a Right Way to Teach Physics?, Proceedings: Evaluating the New Technologies Workshop, UniServe Science, 37–40

1999

Journal Papers

M.D. Sharma, R. Millar and S. Seth, Workshop Tutorials: Accommodating Student Centred Learning in Large First Year University Physics Classes, International Journal of Science Education, 21 (8), 839-853
 

B. McKittrick, P. Mulhall and R. Gunstone, Improving Understanding in Physics: An Effective Teaching Procedure, Australian Science Teachers' Journal, 45 (3), 27-33

D. Mills, B. McKittrick, P. Mulhall and S. Feteris, CUP: Cooperative Learning that Works, Physics Education, 34 (1), 11-16

Theses
 
K. Hogg, PhD Thesis, How Students Learn Physical Optics, (School of Physics, University of Sydney)

A. Millar, Honours Thesis, A Study of Student Conceptual Construction in Physical Optics, (School of Physics, University of Sydney)

1998

Journal Papers

I.D. Johnston, K. Crawford and P.R. Fletcher, How Students Learn Quantum Mechanics, International Journal of Science Education, 20 (4), 427–446

L. Kirkup, S. Johnson, E. Hazel, R.W. Cheary, D.C. Green, P. Swift and W. Holliday, Designing a New Physics Laboratory Programme for First-Year Engineering Students, Physics Education, 33 (4), 258-265
 
Conferences

I.D. Johnston and M. Peat, Use of the Web for University Science Teaching in Australia, Proceedings: Computer Aided Learning and Instruction in Science and Engineering, CALISCE ‘98, Göteborg, Sweden, 161–167

Theses
 
A. Gray, Honours Thesis, Developing a Prototype Thermal Concept Inventory, (School of Physics, University of Sydney)

1997

Journal Papers

I.D. Johnston, The Place of Information Technology in the Teaching of Physics Majors, The Changing Role of Physics Departments in Modern Universities, in E.F. Redish and J.S. Rigden (eds), (AIP, NY), 342–356
 
Theses

P.R. Fletcher, Master of Science Thesis, How Students Learn Quantum Mechanics, (School of Physics, University of Sydney)

1996

Journal Papers

I. D. Johnston, I. J. Cooper, P.W. Fekete, P.R. Fletcher, M.A. Oldfield, B.A. McInnes, R.M. Millar, I.M., Sefton, M.D. Sharma and P.J. Walker, Physics Education Research: Education or Research?, The Australian and New Zealand Physicist, 33, 9-13
 
I.D. Johnson, Photon States Made Easy: A Computational Approach to Quantum Radiation Theory, American Journal of Physics, 64 (3), 245–255
 

1995

Journal Papers

R. White, R. Gunstone, E. Elterman, I. Macdonald, B. McKittrick, D. Mills and P. Mulhall, Students' Perceptions of Teaching and Learning in First-Year University Physics, Research in Science Education, 25 (4), 465-478

P.J. Walker & I.D. Johnston, Computer Modelling of Spontaneous Charge Distribution, Computers in Physics, 9 (1), 42–45

Books/Reports

B. McInnes, P. Walker and P. Fekete, Diagnostic Tools for Improving Concept Development, Committee for the Advancement of University Teaching: 1995
 

1994

Theses

E.M. Henderson, Honours Thesis, Conceptual Development in Thermal Physics, (School of Physics, University of Sydney)

1993

Journal Papers

I.D. Johnston,
Standing Waves in Air Columns: Will Computers Reshape Physics Courses?, American Journal of Physics, 61 (11), 996–1004
 
I.D. Johnston and R.C. McPhedran, Computational Physics in the Undergraduate Curriculum, The Australian & New Zealand Physicist, 30 (4), 67–73, Reprinted in: Assoc. of Asia Pacific Phys. Soc. Bull., 30 (2), 28–33
 

1992

Journal Papers

I.D. Johnston and D. Segal, Electrons in a Crystal Lattice: A Simple Computer Model, American Journal of Physics, 60 (7), 600–607