Measuring the effectiveness of research‐based curriculum at a university serving a diverse student population Available to Purchase

California State University Fullerton is a regional comprehensive university that serves a diverse student population. Over half of the undergraduate students at CSUF are members of minority groups, and just under half spoke a language other than English at home while growing up. We have tested research‐based curricular materials, including Tutorials in Introductory Physics, in courses at CSUF. In some cases, these materials are successful. However, in many cases student outcomes are significantly different from those reported at large research universities. Informally, many faculty believe that the student population at CSUF is significantly different from those at more selective universities. In what ways can the tools of PER be used to measure, describe, and understand the differences between student populations? Are the standard methods of PER suitable for answering questions of this type?