M. Schommer-aikins et al., Understanding middle students' beliefs about knowledge and learning using a multidimensional paradigm, J EDUC RES, 94(2), 2000, pp. 120-127
Recent theory (Schommer, 1990) suggests that personal epistemology is multi
dimensional. The multidimensional epistemology structure with middle school
students was tested in this study. Over 1,200 students in Grades 7 and 8 c
ompleted an epistemological belief questionnaire. Prior theory, developed w
ith college students, suggested 4 epistemological belief factors: Ability t
o Learn, Structure of Knowledge, Speed of Learning, and Stability of Knowle
dge. Confirmatory factor analysis applied to a random half of the sample in
dicated that a 3-factor model was a good fit to the data. That model was re
plicated with the second half of the data. Follow-up regression analyses in
dicated that the more students believed in gradual learning and incremental
ability to learn, the higher GPA they earned.