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An investigation into the effects of completion problems on introductory physics students: Author: Wolf, Jeremy Tyler; Date: 2009-05-15; Program: Physics; Abstract: In this study the completion problems were voluntary. I believe it has been reasonably shown that the completion problems do not have a negative effect on test performance. If the act of completing a completion problem is useful making the completion problems mandatory would seem to be a simple improvement that may result in further or more widespread gains. Further, I believe that completion problems are realistic to implement for an entire semester or year-long course, in terms of time invested in creation of the problems compared to the possible gains made by students. The study has also sh...; Download File | View full details

An investigation into student understanding of longitudinal standing waves: Author: Dostal, Jack Alan; Date: 2008-12-15; Program: Physics; Abstract: This study investigates the difficulties that introductory university physics students have with the concept of longitudinal standing waves in the context of standing waves in pipes. My goal is to identify difficulties that persist even after standard instruction on longitudinal standing waves and attempt to improve upon that method of instruction. The study follows a four-step design. I first use exploratory surveys and interviews with students to elicit the difficulties present in students' understanding of longitudinal standing waves in pipes. I then use the information gained to create an...; Download File | View full details

Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation and Establishment of Six Montana Native Legumes Species: Author: Metcalf, Sarah Jean; Date: 2005-08-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Legume species have been known to increase soil N content and are incorporated into land restoration seed mixes in hopes of improving degraded soils and plant communities. The goals of this project were to determine effects of soil type, soil moisture, inocula and fungicide treatments on legume establishment, N₂ fixation capacity and plant biomass for six individual native legume species. In potted greenhouse studies, legumes were grown in five field soils to verify nodulation without inocula. In a second phase, plant biomass was measured in two soils at two moisture contents (60 and 8...; Download File | View full details