Özgür Özcan

Time Dependence of Joint Entropy of Oscillating Quantum Systems

The time dependent entropy (or Leipnik’s entropy) of harmonic and damped harmonic oscillator systems is studied by using time dependent wave function obtained by the Feynman path integral method. The Leipnik entropy and its envelope change as a function of time, angular frequency and damping factor. Our results for simple harmonic oscillator are in agreement with the literature. However, the joint entropy of damped harmonic oscillator shows remarkable discontinuity with time for certain values of damping factor. The envelope of the joint entropy curve increases with time monotonically. These results show the general properties of the envelope of the joint entropy curve for quantum systems.

The Development of the Nature of Science View Scale (NOSvs) at University Level.

Abstract Background: Determining individuals’ views of the nature of science is quite important for researchers since it is both a component of scientific literacy and a fundamental aim of science education. Purpose: This study aims to develop a NOSvs for assessing prospective teachers’ views of the nature of science and to analyse their psychometric properties. Sample: A total of 565 prospective teachers participated in the study. Design and methods: The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) Index and Bartlett’s Sphericity Test were used in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to determine the construct validity of the scale. Cronbach’s Alpha (α) coefficient was calculated for the reliability of the study. Results: It was consequently found that the KMO was larger than .50. That Bartlett’s Sphericity Test was also statistically significant. The items with item-total correlations smaller than .30 were removed from the scale. Cronbach’s α values calculated for each sub-scale were above .70. In consequence of the first CFA performed, fit indices were found to be below the expected level. For this reason, three more items with the least item-total correlations were removed from the scale. Following the CFA, the final form of the scale included 36 items and five sub-scales.

Examination of pre-service physics teachers’ cognitive structures of electric field

This study aims to examine the pre-service physics teachers’ cognitive structure related to the concepts of electric field and charge. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants to collect the data used to determine their cognitive structures. The collected data were transcribed and transferred into the computer medium and were analyzed by using the content analysis method. The cognitive structure of the 19 pre-service physics teachers was revealed according to the examination of their understanding level about the relationship between electric field and charge concepts. In conclusion, it was found that only one participant’s understanding level was in “Sound Understanding”. However, the understanding level of two participants who didn’t unable to answer some parts of the questions correctly was in “Partial Understanding”. Moreover, it was found that 10 participants’ understanding level were determined as “Alternative Conception” level according to their unscientifically answers to th...

Pre-service physics teachers’ understanding level about electric flux

In order to get some information about students’ knowledge structure regarding to a particular concept, the examination of understanding level is an important issue. This qualitative study investigates the understanding level of pre-service physics teachers about the subject of electric flux. 21 pre-service physics teachers, who have already taken the electric and magnetism course I, participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. The collected data were analyzed by using the content analysis method and the understanding level of the participants about the electric flux was revealed. According to the results the pre-service physics teachers’ understanding levels were determined as; two participants were in “Sound Understanding”, one participant was in “Partial Understanding”, 10 participants were in “Partial Understanding with Specific Alternative Conception” levels. Additionally, three participants’ understanding level was determined as “No Understanding” level...