Resumen de Investigating the Effect of Complexity Factors in Stoichiometry Problems Using Logistic Regression and Eye Tracking
Hui Tang, John Kirk, Norbert J. Pienta
This paper includes two experiments, one investigating complexity factors in stoichiometry word problems, and the other identifying students' problem-solving protocols by using eye-tracking technology. The word problems used in this study had five different complexity factors, which were randomly assigned by a Web-based tool that we developed. The logistic regression analysis in the first experiment of this study showed that the ability of a student to achieve a correct answer was dependent on three complexity factors: number format, unit, and chemical equation. This was followed by an eye-tracking experiment, which reaffirmed that eye fixation durations were different between students at different levels of success when they solved chemistry word problems. The online tool in this study provides a general instrument to design chemistry word problems with various complexities, as well as a method to quantitatively assess problem difficulty and students' cognitive load. This can be applied in constructing curricula and examinations with desired difficulties in chemistry courses.
