TRENDS OF SCIENCE EDUCATION RESEARCH: A DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL IN LIGHT OF SOCIETY OF KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

The purpose of this research was to elaborate on the trends of science education research in Faculty of Education at Princess Noura Bint AbdulRahman university, and then to suggest a developmental model to improve science education research with regard to Society of Knowledge Economy (SKE). The purpose of the study was achieved by diagnose the status quo of science education research, and determine their strengths and weakness. After that, they study suggested a set of criteria, which is necessary to be considered in the trends of science education research to meet SKE's requirements. As a result of these procedures, a developmental model to enhance science education research in light of SKE. A descriptive research approach was used though thorough and comprehensive reviews of relevant literature to test the study's hypotheses. The population of the study consisted of all faculty members in Faculty of Education at Princess Noura Bint AbdulRahman, where its sample was limited to all science education faculty members (N=10), including disciplines such as chemistry, physics, biology (botany and zoology), and general science and mathematics. Data were collected from a 5-piont Lickart scale questionnaire, which consisted of (90) items. Validity and reliability were verified. Cronbach Coefficient Alpha was (0.85). Statistical analyses included means, standard deviations, non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney), and Kruskal-Wallis test to assess differences between means. Generally, results of the study indicated that there was science education research was not complied with the requirements of SKE.