Based on the theory of integrated domains in epistemology, the question of domain specificity of epistemic beliefs was investigated from a comprehensive perspective. We examined intraindividual differences in epistemic beliefs about the natural, mathematical, social, and linguistic sciences that represented almost the entire spectrum of subjects…

Learning processes that involve cognitive incongruity are closely tied to emotional experiences such as curiosity or confusion. The present study examined how discovering that a confidently held misconception is incorrect influences emotions and in turn the motivation to seek additional information. We asked 275 preservice teachers to judge if…

Background: Many interventions on epistemic beliefs (i.e., individual beliefs about knowledge and knowing) are based on Bendixen and Rule's "Integrative Model for Personal Epistemology Development." Empirically, however, the model is still insufficiently validated. This is especially true for its epistemic volition component -- a will or…

(1) Background: Educational theories are a constitutive element of educational studies. Despite their theoretical relevance, little is still known about students' and instructors' understandings of educational theories and their theory-related attitudes and beliefs. (2) Methods: To elucidate these constructs and to test their relevance, we…

The article compares student narratives of engagement in internationalization in the United Kingdom and Germany. The comparison signals a new area of critical sociology of internationalization which shows signs that internationalization in non-Anglophone countries may evolve under conditions the article calls "double-country oppression."…

In modern information societies, evaluating information, data, or knowledge claims is crucial. As these activities are influenced by epistemological beliefs, such beliefs are a key element of education in the sense that educational institutions intend to prepare students for professional and social life. Hence, this study aims to examine the…

In-service and preservice teachers are increasingly required to integrate research results into their classroom practice. However, due to their limited methodological background knowledge, they often cannot evaluate scientific evidence firsthand and instead must trust the sources on which they rely. In two experimental studies, we investigated the…

In this study we examine the determinants of and the relationship among economic knowledge, epistemological beliefs, and extrinsic and intrinsic motivation over the course of undergraduate studies in a sample of students of business and economics at a university in Germany. We found economic knowledge increased over the course of studies,…

Epistemic beliefs are individuals' beliefs about knowledge and knowing. Modelling them is currently based on two central assumptions. First, epistemic beliefs are conceptualized as a multi-level construct, i.e. they exist on a general, academic, domain-specific and/or topic-specific level. Second, research assumes that their more concrete levels…

This study examines how academics and students from different disciplines perceive teaching and knowledge acquisition. University academics and students from both hard and soft disciplines completed the Domain-specific Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire and the Approaches to Teaching Inventory. Results showed that academics held more…

The aim of this paper is to search for possibilities to change the terms and content of conversations on colonial/decolonial human rights education. The content of conversations consists of what we know about human rights. The terms of conversations are the principles, assumptions, and rules of knowing in human rights education. The terms and…

Epistemic beliefs are individual beliefs about knowledge and knowledge acquisition. Empirical studies indicate that learners' epistemic beliefs influence their learning processes and success (e.g. motivation, text comprehension, learning strategy selection, grades). Teachers and trainers can support their apprentices in developing preferable…

The present article investigates the effects of epistemic beliefs (i.e. beliefs about the nature of knowledge and knowing) on the effectiveness of information literacy instruction (i.e. instruction on how to search for scholarly information in academic settings). We expected psychology students with less sophisticated beliefs (especially…

Personal epistemological beliefs are considered to play an important role for processes of learning and teaching. However, research on personal epistemology is confronted with theoretical issues as there is conflicting evidence regarding the structure, stability, and context-dependence of epistemological beliefs. We give evidence how theoretical…

In the English-speaking world, university Schools of Education are usually heavily involved in the professional preparation of teachers. Yet, in England and the USA in particular, the role of universities in teacher education has increasingly seemed under threat as alternative providers of training have come on the scene, often with the overt…