ScholarSphere

“C”ing the light–assessing code comprehension in novice programmers using C code patterns

Background and Context: Feedback on one’s progress is essential to new programming language learners, particularly in out-of-classroom settings. Though many study materials offer assessment mechanisms, most do not examine the accuracy of the feedback they deliver, nor give evidence on its validity.

Objective: We investigate the potential use of a preexisting set of C code snippets as the basis for a high-quality C programming ability assessment tool.

Method: We utilize the Rasch Model and the Linear Logistic Test Model to evaluate the validity and accuracy of the code snippets and to determine which C operations contribute most to their overall difficulty.

Findings: Our results show that these code snippets yield accurate assessments of programming ability and reveal the degree of difficulty associated with specific programming operations.

Implications: Our results suggest that the code snippets could serve as the basis for sophisticated, valid, and fair code comprehension skill assessment tools.

Files

Metadata

Work Title “C”ing the light–assessing code comprehension in novice programmers using C code patterns
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Christina Glasauer
  2. Martin K. Yeh
  3. Lois Anne DeLong
  4. Yu Yan
  5. Yanyan Zhuang
Keyword
  1. Programming skills
  2. C language
  3. Assessment tool
  4. Measurement quality
License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Computer Science Education
Publication Date February 15, 2024
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1080/08993408.2024.2317079
Deposited June 18, 2025

Versions

Analytics

Collections

This resource is currently not in any collection.

Work History

Version 1
published

  • Created

    June 18, 2025 17:05 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added C_ing_the_light___assessing_code_comprehension_in_novice_programmers_using_C_code_patterns-1.pdf

    June 18, 2025 17:05 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Christina Glasauer

    June 18, 2025 17:05 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Martin K. Yeh

    June 18, 2025 17:05 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Lois Anne DeLong

    June 18, 2025 17:05 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Yu Yan

    June 18, 2025 17:05 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Yanyan Zhuang

    June 18, 2025 17:05 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Published

    June 18, 2025 17:05 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Updated

    June 18, 2025 22:06 by [unknown user]

  • Updated Keyword, Description, Publication Date Show Changes

    July 18, 2025 14:16 by avs5190

    Keyword
    • Programming skills, C language, Assessment tool, Measurement quality
    Description
    • Background and Context: Feedback on one’s progress is essential to new programming language learners, particularly in out-of-classroom settings. Though many study materials offer assessment mechanisms, most do not examine the accuracy of the feedback they deliver, nor give evidence on its validity. Objective: We investigate the potential use of a preexisting set of C code snippets as the basis for a high-quality C programming ability assessment tool. Method: We utilize the Rasch Model and the Linear Logistic Test Model to evaluate the validity and accuracy of the code snippets and to determine which C operations contribute most to their overall difficulty. Findings: Our results show that these code snippets yield accurate assessments of programming ability and reveal the degree of difficulty associated with specific programming operations. Implications: Our results suggest that the code snippets could serve as the basis for sophisticated, valid, and fair code comprehension skill assessment tools.
    • Background and Context: Feedback on one’s progress is essential to new programming language learners, particularly in out-of-classroom settings. Though many study materials offer assessment mechanisms, most do not examine the accuracy of the feedback they deliver, nor give evidence on its validity.
    • Objective: We investigate the potential use of a preexisting set of C code snippets as the basis for a high-quality C programming ability assessment tool.
    • Method: We utilize the Rasch Model and the Linear Logistic Test Model to evaluate the validity and accuracy of the code snippets and to determine which C operations contribute most to their overall difficulty.
    • Findings: Our results show that these code snippets yield accurate assessments of programming ability and reveal the degree of difficulty associated with specific programming operations.
    • Implications: Our results suggest that the code snippets could serve as the basis for sophisticated, valid, and fair code comprehension skill assessment tools.
    Publication Date
    • 2024-01-01
    • 2024-02-15