The Nature of Science Represented in Thai Biology Textbooks under the Topic of Evolution

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the aspects of the nature of science (NoS) that were represented in Thai secondary school Biology textbooks. These textbooks were provided under the framework of Thailand's national curriculum B.E. 2551 by the Institution for Promoting Science and Technology (IPST). The representation of NoS aspects on evolution topics in the textbooks was analyzed. This study employed a quantitative method for analyzing the representation of NoS. The results indicated that all evolution themes in Thai secondary Biology textbooks had little emphasis on the nature of science and on the explicit-reflective NoS instructional method. These findings suggested that it is necessary for the IPST to reconsider the Thai secondary Biology textbooks, especially the issues related to NoS.