This qualitative study compares experiences of two groups of senior women undergraduates: those who did and those who did not have a postgraduation plan. From analysis based on two constructive-developmental models, different paths emerged along the continuum from exploration to commitment. These findings suggest implications for career centers,…

Examined students' beliefs about the nature of knowledge and learning--epistemological beliefs--across domains that vary according to Biglan's classification of academic disciplines (hard vs. soft, pure vs. applied). Results support the idea that epistemological beliefs are moderately domain general. (EV)

We examined the nature of the temporal relations among the core person variables in the social cognitive model of academic and career choice [Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (1994). Toward a unifying social cognitive theory of career and academic interest, choice, and performance [Monograph]. "Journal of Vocational Behavior," 45,…

Epistemological beliefs are subjective theories on the structure and acquisition of knowledge. Using data collected in the final year of high school (Time 1) and early in the college career (Time 2) as part of a large-scale longitudinal study, we examined the relationship of beliefs in the certainty of knowledge with school achievement and choice…

Recent research on academic writing has established the intersection of writing and identity. However, it is not clear whether writers themselves are aware of this link. In this study, we investigated five ESL graduate students' awareness of the identities that they constructed through the appropriation of others' words and ideas in their texts.…

Examines the intersection of students' understanding and acceptance of evolution and their epistemological beliefs and cognitive dispositions. Hypothesizes that there would be a relationship between understanding and acceptance. Involves (n=93) undergraduate, non-major biology students in the study. Reports no relationship between students,…

Examines the epistemological beliefs of 100 underprepared college freshmen by asking these students what their beliefs are when they enter college, if these beliefs change after the initial exposure to college, and what structures underlie their beliefs. Claims the beliefs of underprepared students are best represented by two belief dimensions,…

Scholars have studied epistemological development--or how one understands knowledge and knowing--of college students for many years. Research in this domain has included benchmarking studies of epistemological development, examinations of how curricular innovations impact epistemology, and some studies of differences in epistemological development…

The relative contribution is examined of epistemological beliefs and implicit theories of intelligence to students' adoption of mastery, performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals in two different academic contexts, business administration and teacher education, in the short as well as the long term. The results showed that…

In the drive to improve standards, the collection and dissemination of numerical data still directs much contemporary educational policy. However, recent publications and debates seemingly attempt to reorient discussion from performance to learning. In support, constructivism is often referenced as a contributor in this endeavour. However,…

In this article, the authors use their personal narratives and collaborative portraits as methods to shed light on the complexities of developing a research identity while journeying through a doctoral program. Using the metaphors of a wanderer, a chameleon, and a warrior, their narratives represent portraits of experiences faced by doctoral…

Interviews with students at an all-Black, all-male school in a major northeastern city revealed that a significant proportion of the participating students had a strong preference for practical, demonstrative explanations of new concepts and information that are directly related to their everyday experiential realities. These findings suggest that…

A study of 69 gifted high schoolers examined epistemological beliefs and how these beliefs related to problem solving and academic performance. The more students believed that the ability to learn was fixed at birth, the more likely they were to provide over simplistic solutions and perform below academic expectations. (Author/CR)

Provides information about the authors' course and how they collected and analyzed data. Shares what they learned about the range of epistemological perspectives of their students. Explores how students' beliefs may have shaped their experiences in the courses and their reflections on their work in the field. Finds many students drew on multiple…

Background: In recent decades, two lines of research, phenomenographic and meta-cognitive, have examined students' approaches and epistemological beliefs about learning. To date there has been very little research describing the change in epistemological beliefs in European secondary students, or analysing interrelationships between…