Sampling distributions play a vital role in understanding how statistical inferences are made, yet students often fail to achieve proficiency in this important topic. The goals of our project are to examine the literature on sampling distributions and concepts that may be prerequisite knowledge for sampling distributions - sampling, variability and distribution, develop an assessment tool that can be used in a timely fashion to provide instructors with feedback on the understanding and misconceptions that students have about sampling distributions and prerequisite concepts, and better understand misconceptions to improve the teaching and learning of basic statistics. We developed new and modified existing assessment items to study the relationship between comprehension of sampling distributions and mastery of each prerequisite area. Open ended questions were refined through a pilot study and we share our experiences in developing items.
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