Data collection – interview
The research data were gathered by interviewing the sample teachers. The interview
was conducted individually by two trained researchers. The interview questions
consisted of three major parts, which responded to three belief systems: the
first one exploring teachers’ beliefs of teaching science, the second one investigating
teachers’ beliefs of learning science, while the final one exploring teachers’
views about the nature of science. Some of the interview questions were modified
from those used in Tsai’s (1998a) study. The main interview questions are presented
below:
1. Beliefs of teaching science: In your view, science is best taught by which
ways? What makes the most successful science teaching? Could you
describe what an ideal science teaching environment would look like?
Why?
2. Beliefs of learning science: In your view, science is best learned by which
ways? What do you think about the responsibilities of students when
learning science? What is the most important determinant for the success
of learning science? Why?
3. Beliefs about the nature of science: If someone asks you ‘what is
science?’, what will you tell him or her? What are the main characteristicsof scientific knowledge? What are the differences of scientific knowledge
and other knowledge?