The Relationships Among Scientific Epistemic Beliefs, Conceptions of Learning Science, and Motivation of Learning Science: A study of Taiwan high school students

Hsin Ning Jessie Ho, Jyh Chong Liang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study explores the relationships among Taiwanese high school students’ scientific epistemic beliefs (SEBs), conceptions of learning science (COLS), and motivation of learning science. The questionnaire responses from 470 high school students in Taiwan were gathered for analysis to explain these relationships. The structural equation modeling technique was utilized to reveal that the students’ absolutist SEBs led to reproduced COLS (i.e. learning science as memorizing, preparing for tests, calculating, and practicing) while sophisticated SEBs were related to constructive COLS (i.e. learning science as increase of knowledge, applying, and attaining understanding). The students’ reproduced COLS were also negatively associated with surface motive of learning science, whereas the constructive COLS were positively correlated with students’ deep motive of learning science. Finally, this study found that students who viewed scientific knowledge as uncertain (advanced epistemic belief) tended to possess a surface motive of learning science. This finding implies that the implementation of standardized tests diminishes Taiwanese high school students’ curiosity and interest in engaging deeply in science learning.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2688-2707
Number of pages20
JournalInternational Journal of Science Education
Volume37
Issue number16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015 Nov 2
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Conceptions of learning science
  • Motivation of learning science
  • Scientific epistemic beliefs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education

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