16th International Junior Science Olympiad, physics theory problems, problem solving
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the 16th International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO)
physics theory problems and students' problem solving. The item analysis focused on the main concepts
required in the problem and compared with the Korean curriculum. The problem solving of students was
analyzed focusing on the difficulties of students appearing in solving each problem. The results were as
follows. First, the 16th IJSO physics theory problems include the concepts of the Korea's physics I and II
curriculum. Second, in the case of problem situations that are not frequently encountered, students use
arbitrary interpretations to ignore the main effects or modify the problem situations. Third, some students
lacked the ability to read graphs. Fourth, some students did not know the SI unit prefix or made small
computational mistakes.
