The nature of science in press articles about science: content analysis and pedagogical potential

Abstract

Newspaper reports of certain pieces of science news have the pædagogical potential of being able to introduce the Nature of Science (NOS) in science classes. This is illustrated in the present paper with an interpretative content analysis of a repertoire of 40 physics-related news items published in major Spanish newspapers. The analysis reveals that: (a) the information provided on NOS in the vast majority of the news items was quite consonant with the currently accepted concept, and (b) it suggests a diversity of pædagogical possibilities according to current trends in NOS teaching. Finally, it should be stressed that reflexive analysis on NOS using science news items in the press ought to be encouraged as a basic resource in science teacher education programs.