Besides knowledge: a cross-sectional study on the relations between epistemic beliefs, achievement goals, self-beliefs, and achievement in science (original) (raw)

An Investigation of the Epistemological Predictors of Self-Regulated Learning of Advanced Science Students

Recent research in educational psychology has shown that beliefs about knowing and learning have an effect on learning. These epistemological beliefs, which are categorized as certainty, simplicity of knowledge, existence of quick learning, and the fixed ability to learn, are related to educationally important cognitive and affective factors, such as self-efficacy, achievement, and task value which are the sub-components of self-regulated learning. Self-regulated learning includes the cognitive and motivational sides of learning, and has been shown to be related to epistemological beliefs. Studies suggest that in self-regulated learning, epistemological beliefs serve as standards for task evaluation. But, there is not enough empirical evidence on the nature of the relationship between epistemological beliefs and selfregulated learning of advanced students. The focus of this study is to explore the nature of the relationship between selfregulated learning and epistemological beliefs in the biology domain of science, following the recommendations of researchers who argue that self-regulation and epistemological beliefs are dependent on both the learning domain and the context of learning. The study was conducted with 116 ninth-grade, advanced science students by using a predictive study approach. As data collection tools, we used the “Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire” and Schommer’s “Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire.” The results of the study show that beliefs regarding the dependence of learning on struggle and inborn characteristics (the fixed ability to learn) predict self-regulation and its motivation and the use of learning strategy components.

Modeling relations between students’ justification for knowing beliefs in science, motivation for understanding what they read in science, and science achievement

International Journal of Educational Research

In this study, we generated and tested a hypothesized model that specified direct and indirect linkages between different types of beliefs concerning the justification for knowing in science, motivation for science reading comprehension, and science achievement. Using a path analysis approach with a sample of 122 lower-secondary school students, results indicated that students’ science reading comprehension self-efficacy predicted their achievement, with the justification belief variables indirectly affecting science achievement through their influence on science reading self-efficacy. Specifically, there was a negative indirect effect of personal justification on science achievement mediated by science reading comprehension self-efficacy, whereas both justification by authority and justification by multiple sources had positive indirect effects on science achievement mediated by self-efficacy. Beliefs in personal justification and justification by multiple sources affected achievem...

Epistemic Beliefs and Achievement Motivation in Early Adolescence

The Journal of Early Adolescence, 2010

This study seeks to establish the relevance of middle school students' naïve beliefs about knowledge and learning in science to their achievement motivation in this domain. A predominantly Hispanic and lower-income sample of 459 middle school students (sixth through eighth grades) completed measures of epistemic beliefs along with several measures of motivation. Results indicated that a belief that scientific knowledge develops and that justification is necessary to valid knowledge in science were positively related to mastery goals, task value, and self-efficacy. Epistemic beliefs were also found to predict science grades over and above the contributions of motivational factors. Surprisingly, an uncritical acceptance of authority figures and a belief in scientific knowledge as certain were more typical of students who adopted motivational states (e.g., mastery goals) previously found to be supportive of learning. The latter findings may be unique to early adolescence within the ethnic and socioeconomic status parameters of the present sample.

Implicit theories of ability - Relation to epistemic beliefs, motivation, and achievement in science

We investigated: (a) the associations of implicit theories and epistemological beliefs and their effects on the academic motivation and achievement of students in Grade 6 science and (b) the mean differences of implicit theories, epistemological beliefs, and academic motivation and achievement as a function of gen- der and race/ethnicity (N = 508). Path analysis revealed that an incremental view of ability had direct and indirect effects on adaptive motivational factors, whereas fixed entity views had direct and indirect effects on maladaptive factors. Epistemological beliefs mediated the influence of implicit theories of abil- ity on achievement goal orientations, self-efficacy, and science achievement. Results are discussed in relation to Dweck and Leggett’s (1988) social-cognitive theory with a focus on middle school science.

High-School Students’ Epistemic Knowledge of Science and Its Relation to Learner Factors in Science Learning

Research in Science Education, 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an online contextualized test for assessing students' understanding of epistemic knowledge of science. In addition, how students' understanding of epistemic knowledge of science interacts with learner factors, including time spent on science learning, interest, self-efficacy, and gender, was also explored. The participants were 489 senior high school students (244 males and 245 females) from eight different schools in Taiwan. Based on the result of an extensive literature review, we first identified six factors of epistemic knowledge of science, such as status of scientific knowledge, the nature of scientific enterprise, measurement in science, and so on. An online test was then created for assessing students' understanding of the epistemic knowledge of science. Also, a

Implicit theories, epistemic beliefs, and science motivation: A person-centered approach

The purpose of this study was to explore (a) the individual belief profiles that naturally arise among middle and high school science students (n = 1225); (b) the relationships between these profiles to science achievement and other prominent motivation variables; and (c) the demographic and developmental differences among the belief profiles. Results revealed that a four-class solution fit the data the best. These profiles were differentially related to achievement goal orientations, science self-efficacy, and science achievement. Differences in profiles also arose as a function of minority status, grade level, and gender. Findings support and refine Schommer-Aikins's (2004) Embedded Systemic Model of epistemic beliefs. Results are discussed in relation to theory and implications for science instruction.

The Role of Epistemological Beliefs and Motivational Goals in Ethnically Diverse High School Students' Learning from Science Text

1995

A study examined the relationship between two variable sets: (1) epistemological beliefs (Quick Learning, Simple-Certain Knowledge, and Innate Ability) and performance goals; and (2) conceptual understanding and application reasoning in conceptual change learning. In addition, effects of different kinds of prior knowledge on conceptual change learning were investigated. Subjects were 95 eleventh-and twelfth-grade students enrolled in science classes at an inner-city public high school in New York City. Results from repeated measures ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) indicated that refutational text was effective in facilitating conceptual change learning. Results from canonical correlation analyses demonstrated that beliefs about innate ability contributed the most to conceptual change learning, whereas beliefs about quick learning contributed the least. Findings suggest that beliefs about innate ability are an important factor in conceptual change learning among inner-city high school students. (Contains 38 references and 5 tables of data.) (Author/RS)

The Effects of Student’s Attitudes and Self-Efficacy on Science Achievement

Jurnal Pengukuran Psikologi dan Pendidikan Indonesia (JP3I)

One of the critical subjects in school that needs to be assessed is a science subject. Without a science subject, students cannot observe and understand a phenomenon on earth. However, results from an international study such as Trends International in Mathematics and Science (TIMSS), students in Indonesia performed poorly compared to students from another country. Furthermore, science is one of the essential education for children as it included in the STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). From some empirical evidence, student’s attitude and self-efficacy (beliefs about their ability and skill) were found to be dominant predictors of student’s achievement, not excluded, science achievement. However, most of the research analyses the data under conventional regression analysis. Instead of under the structural modelling, and so the results can be considered carefully. This research will analyze a science achievement of Indonesian cohort, and the predictor...