Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Nature of Science and Its Implications for Physics Textbooks

The Case of Classical Magnetic Field Theory

  • Published:
Science & Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aims to analyse, based on common characteristics of the Nature of Science, how first year university Physics textbooks present the introduction of the concept and theories of magnetic field. It shows that despite the increasing number of studies into the Nature of Science in Science Education, Physics textbooks fail to adopt the results of this research. It is proposed that it would be plausible for textbooks to illustrate the characteristics of the Nature of Science by focusing on problems and changes in the development of the theory of magnetic field.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • B. Alters (1997) ArticleTitle‘Whose Nature of Science?’ Journal of Research in Science Teaching 34 IssueID1 39–56 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199701)34:1<39::AID-TEA4>3.0.CO;2-P

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A.B. Arons (1990) A Guide to Introductory Physics Teaching John Wiley & Sons editors New York

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Bagno B. Eylon (1997) ArticleTitle‘From Problem Solving to a Knowledge Structure: An Example from the Domain of Electromagnetism’ American Journal of Physics 65 IssueID8 726–736

    Google Scholar 

  • V Bar B. Zinn E. Rubin (1997) ArticleTitle‘Children’s Ideas About Action a Distance’ International Journal of Science Education 19 IssueID10 1137–1157

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrow L.H. (1987). ‘Magnet Concepts and Elementary Students’ Misconceptions’. In: Novak J. (ed). Proceedings of the 2. Int. Seminar “Misconceptions and Educational Strategies in Science and Mathematics”, Vol. III. Ithaca Cornell University

  • W. Berkson (1981) Las teorías de los Campos de Fuerza desde Faraday hasta Einstein Alianza Editorial Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Bevilacqua F., Giannetto E. (1998). The History of Physics and European Physics Education, In International Handbook of Science Education Vol. II, 1015–1026 . Kluwer Academic Publisher

  • Borges A.T. (1997). Exploring Models and Modelling in Science and Technology Education., Contributions from the MISTRE group. Faculty of Education and Community Studies. The University of Reading, 280–297

  • A.T. Borges J.K. Gilbert (1998) ArticleTitle‘Models of Magnetism’ International Journal of Science Education 20 IssueID3 361–378

    Google Scholar 

  • S.G. Brush (1989) ArticleTitle‘History of Science and Science Education’ Interchange 20 IssueID2 60–70 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01807048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. Chabay B. Sherwood (2002) Matter and Interactions II: Electric and Magnetic Interactions John Wiley & Sons New York

    Google Scholar 

  • W.W. Cobern (2000) ArticleTitle‘The Nature of Science and the Role of Knowledge and Belief’ Science & Education 9 IssueID3 219–246

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Del Carmen M.P. Jiménez (1997) ArticleTitle‘Los Libros de Textos: un Recurso Flexible’ Alambique 11 7–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Désautels J., Larochelle M. (1998). ‘About the Epistemological Posture of Science Teachers’. In: Tiberghien A., Jossem L., Barojas J., (ed). Connecting Research in Physics Education with Teachers Education (ICPE Books)

  • R Dirver J Leach R. Millar P. Scott (1996) Young Peoples’ Images of Science Open University Press Bristol, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • Duschl R.A. (1990). Restructuring Science Education. The Importance of Theories and their Development. Teachers College, Columbia University

  • R.A. Duschl (1994) Research on the History and Philosophy of Science D.L. Gabel (Eds) Handbook of Research on Science Teaching and Learning. Mcmillan Pub. Co. New York 443–465

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Erickson (1994) ‘Pupils’ Understanding Magnetism in a Practical Assesment Context: The Relationship between Content, Process and Progression’ P. Fensham R.R. Gunstone R. White (Eds) The Content of Science. Falmer Press London

    Google Scholar 

  • I Fernández D Gil J Carrascosa A. Cachapuz J. Praia (2002) ArticleTitle‘Visiones deformadas de la ciencia transmitidas por la enseñanza’ Enseñanza de las Ciencias 20 IssueID3 477–488

    Google Scholar 

  • I. Galili (1995) ArticleTitle‘Mechanics Background Influences Students’ Conceptions in Electromagnetism’ International Journal of Science Education 17 IssueID3 371–387

    Google Scholar 

  • I. Galili D. Kaplan (1997) ArticleTitle‘Changing Approach to Teaching Electromagnetism in a Conceptually Oriented Introductory Physics Course’ American Journal of Physics 65 IssueID7 657–667 Occurrence Handle10.1119/1.18623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G.E. Glasson M.L. Bentley (2000) ArticleTitle‘Epistemological Undercurrents in Scientists’ Reporting of Research to Teachers’ Science Education 84 IssueID4 469–485

    Google Scholar 

  • D.J. Griffiths (1998) ArticleTitle‘Maxwell on the Electromagnetic Field: A Guided Study de Simpson, T.K.’. American Journal of Physics (Book Reviews) 66 IssueID1 92–93

    Google Scholar 

  • J.L. Heilbron (1979) Electricity in the 17th and 18th Centuries. A Study of Early Modern Physics University of California Press California

    Google Scholar 

  • Heilbron J.L. (2001). ‘History in Science Education, with Cautionary Tales about the Agreement of measurement and Theory’. In: Giannetto B.E., Matthews M. (ed). Science Education and Culture, Kluwer Academic Publisher, 5–15

  • Harman P.M. (1990). Energía, Fuerza Y Materiax. El desarrollo Conceptual de la Física en el siglo XIX. Alianza Editorial. Madrid

  • D. Hodson (1992) ArticleTitle‘In Search of a Meaninful Relationship: An Exploration of Some Issues Relating to Integration in Science and Science Education’ International Journal of Science education 14 541–562

    Google Scholar 

  • A.R. Irwin (2000) ArticleTitle‘Historical Case Studies: Teaching the Nature of Science in Context’ Science Education 84 IssueID1 5–26 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1098-237X(200001)84:1<5::AID-SCE2>3.0.CO;2-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T. Kuhn (1970) The Structure of Scientific Revolutions University of Chicago Press Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • N.G. Lerderman (1992) ArticleTitle‘Students’ and Teachers’ Conceptions of the Nature of Science: A Review of the Research’ Journal of Research in Science Teaching 29 IssueID4 331–359

    Google Scholar 

  • Maarouf A., Benyamna S. (1997). ‘La Construction des Sciences Physiques par les Représentations et les erreurs: Cas des Phenomènes Magnétiques’, Didaskalia 11, 103–120

  • Maloney D.P., O’kuma T.L., Hieggelke C.J., Van Heuvelen A. (2001). ‘Surveying Students’ Conceptual Knowledge of Electricity and Magnetism’. Physics Education Research, American Journal of Physics Suppl. 69(7). July 2001, 12–23

  • M. Matthews (1994) Science Teaching: The Role of the History and Philosophy of Science Routledge New York

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Matthews (1998) ‘The Nature of Science and Science Teaching’ B. Fraser K. Tobin (Eds) International Handbook of Science Education. Kluwer Academic Publishers Netherlands 981–999

    Google Scholar 

  • W.F. McComas (2000a) ‘The Principal Elements of the Nature of Science: Dispelling the Myths” W.F. McComas (Eds) The Nature of Science in Science Education Rationales and Strategies. Kluwer Academic Publishers Netherlands 53–72

    Google Scholar 

  • W.F. McComas (Eds) (2000b) The Nature of Science in Science Education Rationales and Strategies Kluwer Academic Publishers Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • W.F. McComas J.K. Olson (2000) ‘The Nature of Science in International Science Education Standards Documents’ W.F. McComas (Eds) The Nature of Science in Science Education Rationales and Strategies. Kluwer Academic Publishers Netherlands 41–52

    Google Scholar 

  • W.F. McComas M.P. Clough H. Almazroa (2000) ‘The Role and Charater of the Nature of Science in Science Education’ W.F. McComas (Eds) The Nature of Science in Science Education Rationales and Strategies. Kluwer Academic Publishers Netherlands 3–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Y. Meichtry (1999) ArticleTitle‘The Nature of Science and Scientific Knowledge; Implications for a Preserve Elementary Methods Course’ Science and Education 8 IssueID3 273–286 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1008693930840

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J.A. Meneses M.C. Caballero (1995) ArticleTitle‘Secuencia de Enseñanza sobre el Electromagnetismo’ Enseñanza de las Ciencias 13 IssueID1 36–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Nerssesian N. (1990). Faraday to Einstein: Constructing Meaning in Scientific Theories. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht. Origanilly published in 1984

  • N.J. Nersessian (1995) ArticleTitle‘Should Physicist Preach What they Practice?’ Science and Education 4 203–226 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00486621

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Niaz (2000) ArticleTitleThe Oil Drop Experiment: A Rational Reconstruction of the Millikan-Ehrenhaft controversy and its Implications for Chemistry Textbooks Journal of Research in Science Teaching 37 480–508 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(200005)37:5<480::AID-TEA6>3.0.CO;2-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J Osborne S Collins M Ratcliffe R. Millar R. Duschl (2003) ArticleTitleWhat ‘ideas-about-Science’ Should be Taught in School Science? A Delphy Study of the Expert Community Journal of Research in Science Teaching 40 692–720 Occurrence Handle10.1002/tea.10105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F Seroglou K. Panagiotis T. Vassilis (1998) ArticleTitle‘History of Science and Instructional Design: The Case of Electromagnetism’ Science and Education 7 261–280 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1008649319416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Solomon (1991) ArticleTitle‘Teaching about the Nature of Science in the British National Curriculum’ Science Education 75 IssueID1 95–103

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Taton (1988) Historia General de las Ciencias Ediciones Orbis Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • K.G. Tobin D.J. Tippins A.J. Gallard (1994) ‘Research on Instructional Strategies for Teaching Science’ D.L. Gabel (Eds) Handbook of Research on Science Teaching and Learning. Mcmillan Pub. Co New York

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Tunner K. Sullenger (1999) ArticleTitle‘Kuhn in the Classroom, Lakatos in the Lab: Science Educators Confront the Nature-of-science Debate’ Science, Tech and Human Values 24 IssueID1 5–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss I.R. (1993). ‘Science Teachers Rely on the Textbooks. In: Yager R.E. (ed.). What Research Says to Science Teacher, vol. 7: The Science, Tech, Society Movement. National Science Teachers Association, Washintong DC

  • E. Whittaker (1987) A History of the Theories of Aether and Electricity American Institute of Physics USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams L.P. (1989). André-Marie Ampère, Investigación y Ciencia

Further Readings: I.1. General Physics textbooks used in the first year of university

  • Alonso M. et al. Physics. Translated from English by Addison-Wesley Iberoamericana, Madrid, 1995

  • Blatt F.J. Principles of Physics. Translated from English by Prentice-Hall Hispanoamericana S.A., 1991

  • Breithaupt J. Physics. Translated from English by Mc Millan foundations, 1999

  • Bueche F. Principles of Physics. Translated from English by McGraw-Hill, México, 1984

  • Chabay R.W., Sherwood B.A., Electric and Magnetic Interactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 1995

  • Cutnell J.D. et al., Physics. Translated from english by Ed. Limusa, México, 1998

  • Eisberg R.M. et al., Physics: Foundations and Applications, volume II. Translated from English by McGraw-Hill, Madrid, 1984

  • Feynman R. et al., The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Mainly Electromagnetism and Matter, Volume II. Translated from English by Fondo Educativo Interamericano S.A.1972

  • Fishbane P.M. et al., Physics for Scientists and Engineers Volume II. Translated from English by Prentice-Hall Hispanoamericana S.A. México, 1994

  • Gettys W.E. et al., Physics Clasical and Modern. Translated from English by Interamericana de España, 1991

  • Giancoli D.C., Physics. Translated from English by Prentice-Hall Hispanoamericana. México, 1994

  • Hecht E., Physics: Algebra and Trig. Vol.2, 2nd ed. Translated from English by International Thomson Editores S.A. México, 1999

  • Kane J.W. et al., Physics, John Wiley & Sons, 1988

  • Lea S.M. et al.,Physics. The Nature of Things, Vol. 2. Translated from English by International Thomson Editores S.A., 1999

  • Orear J., Physics. Translated from English by Ed. Limusa. México, 1989

  • Purcell E.M., Berkeley Physics Course 2/e. Volume 2 – Electricity and Magnetism. Translated from English by Reverté, Barcelona, 1992

  • Resnick R. et al., Physics, volume 2. Translated from English by Compañía Editorial Continental, México, 1982

  • Roller D.E. et al., Physics, volume 2(I). Translated from English by Reverté, Barcelona, 1986

  • Sears F.W. et al., University Physics, 9th. ed. (volume 2). Translated from English by Addison Wesley Longman de México S.A. de C.V. México, 1999

  • Serway R.A., Physics (volume 2). Translated from English by McGraw-Hill Interamericana de México, 1992

  • Tipler P.A., Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 4th ed. Volume 2. Translated from English by Reverté, Barcelona, 1999

  • Wilson J.D., Physics. Translated from English by Prentice-Hall Hispanoamericana S.A. México, 1994

  • Wolfson R. y Pasachoff J.M., Physics with Modern Physics, 3rd ed. Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 1999

Further Readings: I.2. Electromagnetism textbooks used in second and third year of university

  • Cheng D.K., Field and Wave Electromagnetics. Translated from English by Addison Wesley Iberoamericana S.A., 1998

  • Kraus J.D., Electromagnetics. Translated from English by McGraw-Hill, México, 1986

  • Lorrain P. et al., Electromagnetic Fields and Waves. Translated from English by Selecciones Científicas, Madrid, 1972

  • Marsall S.V. et al., Electromagnetic Concepts and Applications, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1997

  • Plonus M.A., Applied Electromagnetics. Translated from English by Reverté, Barcelona, 1982

  • Reitz J.R. et al., Foundations of Electromagnetic Theory. Translated from English by Addison-Wesley Iberoamericana, Madrid, 1986

  • Wangsness R.L., Electromagnetic Fields. Translated from English by Limusa, México, 1994

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Physics, University of Basque Country, Spain

    Jenaro Guisasola & José M. Almudí

  2. Department of Science Education, University of Valencia, Spain

    Carlos Furió

  3. Departamento de Física Aplicada I, Escuela Universitaria Politécnica, Plaza de Europa 1, 20018, San Sebastián, Spain

    Jenaro Guisasola

Authors
  1. Jenaro Guisasola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. José M. Almudí
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Carlos Furió
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jenaro Guisasola.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Guisasola, J., Almudí, J.M. & Furió, C. The Nature of Science and Its Implications for Physics Textbooks. Sci Educ 14, 321–328 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-004-7936-z

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-004-7936-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation