Beliefs about knowledge and knowing of thai university students: personal epistemology and the undergraduate education.

Abstract

Objective: This research investigates how students develop their beliefs about knowledge and knowledge acquisition during their undergraduate education. Method: Two groups of students in a Thai university completed a questionnaire: first-year students (n = 1,755) and students finished their undergraduate study (n = 1,767). Results: A five-factor structure is identified for their beliefs. Significant differences are identified between the first-year and the graduates in four factors out of the five identified factors. The differences are more noticeable in some majors than others. Conclusions: The undergraduate education could have an influence on students’ epistemological development in some aspects.