DOMAIN DIFFERENCES IN THE EPISTEMOLOGICAL BELIEFS OF COLLEGE-STUDENTS

This study examined the differences in the epistemological beliefs of college students across major fields of study. Beliefs in fixed abilit y, simple knowledge, quick learning, and certain knowledge were assess ed for 290 students attending a large urban public university Major fi elds of study-were classified in domains of study according to the har d-soft and pure-applied dimensions of Biglan's well-known classificati on of academic fields. Additional analyses examined the effects of gen der, age, year in college, and GPA. Results indicated that students ma joring in pure fields were less likely than those in applied fields to hold naive beliefs in simple knowledge, quick learning, and certain k nowledge, and students majoring in soft or pure fields were less likel y than others to hold naive beliefs in certain knowledge. Gender, age, and GPA were also related to students' beliefs. The results of this s tudy suggest that students' beliefs about the nature of knowledge and learning are related to the disciplinary contexts in which students se lect and experience their specialized coursework in college.