Personal epistemology of Thai university students: cultural influence on the development of beliefs about knowledge and knowing.
3
Issued Date
2006
Resource Type
Language
eng
Rights
Mahidol University
Suggested Citation
Fujiwara, Takayoshi., Phillips, Brian. (2006). Personal epistemology of Thai university students: cultural influence on the development of beliefs about knowledge and knowing.. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/32863
Title
Personal epistemology of Thai university students: cultural influence on the development of beliefs about knowledge and knowing.
Author(s)
Abstract
The objective of this study is: (a) to investigate the structure of personal
epistemology of Thai university students, and (b) to examine whether
there is a significant difference in their personal epistemology between
groups of students with different secondary educational backgrounds. A
questionnaire, asking participants to indicate how they agree or disagree
to statements on knowledge and knowing, was administered to first-year
students at a university in Thailand. Through factor analysis, three
dimensions were identified: Fixed Ability, Stable Knowledge, and
Simple Knowledge. However, the factor structure was complex, and the
items representing different conceptual dimensions were merged into
the same factors. This finding appears to confirm a dimensional
structure of the Thai university students’ personal epistemology, yet it
requires further investigations to clarify the nature of relatively
independent dimensions. Significant differences were identified among
groups of students differing in educational backgrounds. The students
graduated from schools abroad and international schools were
significantly more epistemologically developed than those graduated
from local Thai schools. Similarly the students intending to major in
science had significantly more epistemologically developed beliefs than
the prospective arts and business majors. These results suggest that
culture through education influences the development of perspectives
toward knowledge and knowing.
Description
The 2006 HERDSA International Conference, July 10-13, 2006. The University of Western Australia, Perth.