Using Matched Samples to Look for Sex Differences

Patricia Heller University of Minnesota The reasons for observed differences in physics performance between men and women have yet to be clearly determined. This study asks the question: if men and women have a similar background at the start of an introductory physics course, will there be differences in how much physics they learn by the end of the course? To answer the question, a matched sample of men and women was studied. Statistical analysis of the post-tests reveals no significant differences between the men and women in the matched sample.