Conceptual change is not solely of interest to science educators. As noted in Stella
Vosniadou’s (2008) International Handbook of Research on Conceptual Change ,
whilst science disciplines are the dominant conceptual area for studies in conceptual
change, this focus can be found in subject areas such as medicine and health as well
as the philosophy and history of science. As is evident in many of the chapters in
Vosniadou ( 2008 ) , because any discussion of conceptual change needs to include
the nature of conceptions, many of the chapter authors begin by defi ning the terms
used in the discussion. The notion of what is a conception that could change is an
area of current interest as evidenced by the debate between researchers in science
education and social science about the nature and interpretation of fi ndings seen as
conceptual change (Tobin 2008 ) .