Abstract
In this chapter I begin to address a basic question that underlies my first perspective about the identity of science research: In what senses is science education a field of research? So much research about science education has been done in the last forty years and is now in accessible literature, and so much more is in process, that it is an appropriate and interesting way to consider what has been achieved.
Coming from nuclear physics, the paper by Gilbert and Watts (1983) fascinated me because I found it a very balanced opening of attention on a new field, which may have many promises in itself, and which may be comparable to the development of science in history.
Gerard Thijs, The Netherlands
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Butterfield, H. (1949) The Origins of Modern Science 1300–1800. London: G. Bell and Sons.
Dahncke, H., Duit, R., Gilbert, J., Östman, L., Psillos, D. and Pushkin, D.B. (2001) Science education versus science in the academy: Questions — discussion — perspectives. In H. Behrendt, H. Dahncke, R. Duit, W. Graber, M. Komorek, A. Kross and P. Reiska (Eds.) Research in Science Education — Past, present and future, pp. 43–48. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Jenkins, E.W. (2001) Research in science education in Europe: Retrospect and prospect. In H. Behrendt, H. Dahncke, R. Duit, W. Gräber, M. Komorek, A. Kross and P. Reiska (Eds.) Research in Science Education — Past, present and future, pp. 17–26. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Lavoisier, A. (1790) The Elements of chemistry, in a new systematic order, containing all the modern discoveries. With a new introduction by D. McKie, xiii–xxiv. New York: Dover Publications.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2004 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Fensham, P.J. (2004). Science Education: What Defines a Field of Research?. In: Defining an Identity. Contemporary Trends and Issues in Science Education, vol 20. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0175-5_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0175-5_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-1468-0
Online ISBN: 978-94-010-0175-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive