Thai pre-service science teachers' conceptions of the nature of science

The conceptions of the nature of science (NOS), particularly scientific knowledge, scientific method, scientists’ work, and scientific enterprise, of 113 Thai pre-service science teachers were was captured by the Myths of Science Questionnaire (MOSQ) in the first semester of the 2008 academic year. The data was quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. The results revealed that nine of the fourteen MOSQ items presented two consistent response patterns. Five were informed responses (i.e., hypotheses and theories, tentativeness of science, universal step-wise scientific method, science as experimental knowledge, creativity and imagination in science and science as social enterprise), while the other four were uninformed responses (i.e., theories and laws, science as cumulative knowledge, and theory-laden observation). The highest percentage of informed, uninformed and uncertain responses regarded the tentativeness of science, science as cumulative knowledge and the ability of science to answer all questions, respectively. The implications of preparing science teachers are also discussed.