Özet:
This is an investigation of the students’ beliefs about the nature of knowledge or
epistemological beliefs, and the relation of these beliefs on their learning
approaches. Students chosen as samples of the study were from both public and
private higher institutions of learning in Malaysia. The instrument used in the
study consists of 49 items measuring students’ epistemological beliefs and 20
items on their learning approaches. Items on epistemological belief were adapted
and modified from Schommer’s Epistemological Questionnaire (1990) and
Schraw, Bendixen and Dunkle (2000) Epistemic Beliefs Inventory that assesses
students' beliefs about simple knowledge, certain knowledge, quick learning, and
fixed ability to learn. Items on learning approaches were adapted from Bigg’s
forty-two-item Study Process Questionnaire (SPQ), designed for tertiary-level
students. The instrument was administered to 1405 students of higher institutions
of learning both public and private. Differences in epistemological beliefs among
students of these higher institutions, ethnic and between genders were examined.
