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ABSTRACT
A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and its operation are fundamental concepts for the understanding of power electronics (industrial electronics), transistor-transistor logic (TTL), electronic switching, and signal amplification in modern electronics. Previous research showed that non-major engineering, computer, electronic, and electrical engineering students could not understand the basic concepts involved in a BJT. This paper describes the development of a two-tier diagnostic test, the test’s administration, limitations, the participants’ detailed context, and findings from a study that explores Myanmar and Thai second-year undergraduate students’ understanding of BJT working principles and applications. The results revealed that many students in both countries had the same alternative conceptions about collector current in each operation mode of the BJT. Some alternative conceptions differ from the previous research, such as a) the collector current does not depend on the base current in cut-off mode, and b) changing the collector current does not depend on the base current in active mode, but it depends on the collector supply voltage. These research findings provide valuable information and instruments for teachers to insight, prevent, and correct the alternative conceptions proposed by students.
Acknowledgments
Without the cooperation of all students and teachers who actively participated in the testing field of the two-tier BJT diagnostic test, this study would not have been possible. Thus, the authors would like to acknowledge the teachers and all students. We also would like to thank the experts for their helpful and precious suggestions and the reviewers for their constructive feedback, which have significantly improved the quality and clarity of our manuscript and the BJTDT. To extend their effort, the edited version of BJTDT, as shown in the Appendix, was given for the reader’s convenience so they could use the test with their students. In addition, we wish to give special thanks to the organisation of the Mahidol-Norway Capacity Building Initiative for ASEAN and the Thailand Research Fund (RSA6080069) for financial support.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Notes on contributors
Myat Noe Khin
Myat Noe Khin is a PhD student in the Mahidol-Norway Capacity Building scholarship in Science and Technology program at the Institute for Innovative Learning, Mahidol University. She holds a BEng in Electronics and a MEng in Electronics.
Suchai Nopparatjamjomras
Associate Professor Dr. Suchai Nopparatjamjomras is a lecturer in Physics education at the Institute for Innovative Learning, Mahidol University. He holds a BSc in Physics and a PhD in Science and Technology Education. He has experience in science, technology, and engineering education. His expertise is in developing science instructional materials, including multimedia web-based resources.
Ratchapak Chittaree
Assistant Professor Dr. Ratchapak Chitaree is a lecturer in the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University. He holds a BSc in Physics and a PhD in Measurement and Instrumentation. His primary fields of research are laser applications and physics education.
Thasaneeya Ratanaroutai Nopparatjamjomras
Associate Professor Dr. Thasaneeya R. Nopparatjamjomras is a deputy director of Research and Academic Affairs at Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. She is also the Program Director of the Master of Science in Health Science Education (International Program) at Siriraj Health Science Education Excellence Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. She holds a BSc in biology and a PhD in Science Education. She has experience in science, technology, medical, and engineering education.