ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the work of one group of textbook developers in the process of producing a Grade 12 chemistry textbook for use in Canada. It suggests that authors, editors, and publishers share responsibility for the representations of nature of science (RNOS) contained in their textbooks since they jointly create the representations and decide whether or not to incorporate them into their books. Action research (AR) typically occurs through linked cycles involving critical examination of current practices, reflection, research, generation of strategies for improving practice, planning action, taking action, examining modified practices, and reflecting on and evaluating the decisions and actions taken. Data sources for the AR study included focus group discussions; semi-structured personal interviews and follow-up interviews; Views of Nature of Science-Form C (VNOS-C) questionnaire; and primary source documents. The chapter discusses an RNOS development activity that occurred during the AR-oriented textbook development process.
