the international Handbook of Science Education, although international in its collection of authors, did not present a comprehensive review of the researchers in science education. Rather it was an in depth sampling of the work of various researchers, demonstrating aslice in time of research in the field. Both of these volumes responded to the inadequacy of the single review chapters for science education contained in general education research handbooks such as those produced by the American Education Research Association. The work represented in this volume is international and comprehersive in scope. It provides both veteran and emerging science education researchers with a coherent synthesis of the empirical and theoretical research concerning teaching and learning in science and paves the way for future research