The purpose of this thesis is the development of an 'alternative approach' to science education research based on a theoretical perspective derived from informal analysis (taken from Roberts and Russell 1975). The philosophical analyses of science of Feyerabend and Althussar were chosen as the theoretical perspectives. A clue structure was then developed from these two philosophies of science. The clue structure was then applied to leader articles in The Australian Science Teachers' Journal (ASTJ). During this process many clues were rewritten and refined. An enhanced clue structure resulted. Several issues debated in the ASTJ were then discussed in terms of the clue structure. These issues included the creation/evolution debate; values movement; science, technology and science (STS) movement; and history and philosophy of science in science education. In the case of the first three issues, the clue structure showed its usefulness in clarifying perceptions. In the last issue, the history and philosophy of science, the clue structure was not entirely relevant.