Anton E. Lawson
Department of Biology
Arizona State University

Abstract

A 12-item survey of beliefs about the nature of biology was administered to a sample of 31 practicing biologists from a major Research I university. The survey results and follow up interviews revealed a general consensus that biological research is a hypothetico-predictive enterprise in which hypotheses, theories and predictions guide investigations aimed at producing improved descriptions and explanations of nature. Although the majority of practicing biologists rejected the notion that biological theories will ultimately be proved or disproved, they nevertheless were in agreement that biological research produces increasingly accurate representations and explanations of nature. Implications are stated for the development of NOS instruments, for science curriculum development, and for conducting research in science education.

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