Study of relationship between values, academic achievements and opinions of physics, chemistry and biology teacher candidates concerning the nature of science

In this study, the relationship between academic achievements, values and opinions relating to the nature of science of Physics, Chemistry and Biology teacher candidates, who have been currently having education at the department of education in the fields of science-mathematics in secondary education was examined. Data were collected from 105 undergraduates and 67 non-thesis postgraduates in years 4 and 5 of the department of physics, chemistry and biology education in a state university located in Ankara during the academic year of 2009-2010 (second semester). Opinions of teacher candidates concerning the nature of science were measured using attitude scale, while concerning values using ?Allport Vernon Lindzey Values Test?. GPAs of students were used as indicators of academic achievements. According to the results of the study, a significant difference was observed in terms of gender, among academic achievements of physics, chemistry and biology teacher candidates. Females were academically more successful than males. Relationship between academic achievements and opinions of chemistry and biology teacher candidates concerning values was statistically not significant, while there was a significant and negative relationship between academic achievements and opinions relating to political value of physics teacher candidates. Furthermore, analysis results showed no statistically significant relationship between opinions of physics and chemistry teacher candidates concerning the nature of science and those concerning values. However, there was a negative relationship between opinions of biology teacher candidates concerning political value and those concerning the nature of science. There was no statistically significant gender difference between opinions of biology and physics teacher candidates concerning the nature of science, while chemistry teacher candidates showed a significant difference in this respect.