Focus And Scope

Innovations Science Physics Education
Focus & Scope

Focus and Scope

Innovations Science Physics Education (ISPE) is an international peer-reviewed open-access journal dedicated to publishing rigorous empirical, theoretical, and methodological research that advances science and physics education. ISPE prioritizes evidence-based pedagogy, scientific reasoning, robust measurement, and transparent analysis to bridge educational theory and classroom practice across educational levels.

Priority orientation: ISPE encourages studies with strong research design (experimental/quasi-experimental, design-based research, learning progression studies, validated survey/SEM, mixed methods with explicit protocols) and robust analytics (IRT/Rasch, CFA/SEM, multilevel models, learning analytics) with clear contributions to theory, practice, and assessment.

Thematic Clusters

1. Physics Pedagogy & Conceptual Understanding Icon

Innovative instruction across physics topics (mechanics, E&M, waves, optics, thermodynamics, modern physics)
Alternative conceptions (misconceptions) and conceptual change interventions
Inquiry-based, modeling-based, and problem-based learning
Curriculum development and learning progressions in physics

2. Scientific Literacy, NOS & Epistemology Icon

Nature of Science (NOS), epistemic cognition, and scientific practices
Socioscientific issues (SSI) and evidence-based decision making
Scientific explanations, modeling, and inquiry-based reasoning
Equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive science education

3. Scientific Argumentation & Reasoning Icon

Claim–evidence–reasoning (CER) and argumentation quality
Reasoning with data, uncertainty, and scientific explanations
Classroom discourse, scientific talk, and dialogic teaching
Teacher scaffolding for reasoning and scientific communication

4. STEM Integration & Interdisciplinary Learning Icon

Integrated STEM framework implementation and evaluation
Engineering design, computational thinking, and project-based STEM
Interdisciplinary problem-solving and authentic contexts
STEM teacher professional development and capacity building

5. Educational Technology, AI & Learning Analytics Icon

AI-enabled tutoring, feedback systems, and adaptive learning
Virtual labs, simulations, AR/VR, and inquiry environments
Learning analytics and log-data analysis for instructional improvement
EdTech effectiveness, usability, and implementation research

6. Assessment, Measurement & Evaluation Icon

Instrument development and validation (IRT/Rasch, CFA/SEM)
Assessing higher-order thinking, reasoning, and inquiry competencies
Formative assessment design and feedback effectiveness
Measurement invariance and cross-context comparability

Out of Scope (Desk Reject Criteria)

ISPE does not consider manuscripts that are outside science/physics education, purely descriptive reports without a research contribution, studies with unclear methods or insufficient evidence, or papers lacking alignment with the journal’s thematic clusters. Submissions must demonstrate conceptual clarity, methodological rigor, and relevance to advancing science and physics education research and practice.

Our Commitment to Quality and Publication Ethics

Innovations Science Physics Education (ISPE) is committed to publishing research that is scientifically rigorous, ethically sound, and internationally relevant. All submissions undergo an initial editorial screening to ensure scope fit, academic contribution, and ethical compliance. ISPE follows the core practices and guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Manuscripts that do not meet these foundational criteria may be declined at the desk review stage to safeguard publication integrity and reviewer resources.