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RESEARCH PRODUCT

A quantitative analysis of Educational Data through the Comparison between Hierarchical and Not-Hierarchical Clustering

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description

Many research papers have studied the problem of taking a set of data and separating it into subgroups through the methods of Cluster Analysis. However, the variables and parameters involved in Cluster Analysis have not always been outlined and criticized, especially in the field of Science Education. Moreover, in the field of Science Education, a comparison between two different Clustering methods is not discussed in the literature. Conceptions of students about modeling in physic are investigated by using an open-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire is analyzed through Clustering methods. The clustering results obtained by using the two methods are compared and show a good coherence between them. The results are interpreted and are compared with literature results. A synergism between the two clustering methods allows us to obtain more detailed and robust information about the modelling concept. Looking at the content from a pedagogical point of view, our study allowed us to obtain more detail about the relationship between different student conceptions of modeling in physics.