Assessing conceptual understanding of high school students on transverse and stationary waves through Rasch analysis in Malang

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to reveal the condition of high school students’ conceptual knowledge of transverse and stationary wave topics in Malang. The significance of waves in human civilization necessitates students’ excellent comprehension of waves. However, deepening the condition of students’ understanding of this topic is still rarely done in Malang. Through cluster random sampling, 103 students who studied transversal and stationary wave topics took a part in this study. Using a three-tier test instrument that has been proven to be valid and reliable by previous researchers, the understanding of students regarding waves was examined. Students’ understanding of the transverse and stationary wave topics is mapped deeply using Rasch Wright Map and graph-percentage analysis. According to the study’s findings, only about 0–14.56% of students have an understanding of each concept on this topic. Furthermore, more than 30% of students had a misconception about two of the ten wave concepts examined. Additionally, on nine of the ten wave topics examined, more than 30% of students reported no understanding. The most difficult concepts to be understood for students are wave propagation and superposition. Finally, high school students in Malang stated still have less understanding of transverse and stationary waves.