An Overview of Research in Chemistry Education

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of research in various topics in chemistry curricula, based on a history and philosophy of science perspective (HPS). Six criteria, based on HPS framework, were developed for analyzing the kinetic molecular theory of gases in general chemistry textbooks published in the USA. The same criteria were used to analyze general chemistry textbooks published in Turkey. Textbooks published in both countries do not provide a satisfactory description of the following aspects: the inconsistent nature of Maxwell’s research program, the kinetic theory and chemical thermodynamics as rival research programs, and the difference between algorithmic/computational and conceptual problems.