The Development and Construct Validation of Scientific Epistemological Beliefs Inventory

Abstract

Objective- Based on Schommer theory, the present study was conducted to construct and validate epistemological beliefs inventory for science (EBIS) in Malaysian context. Type the brief purpose of the paper and illustrate the direction that is taken, whether it is empirical or theoretical testing in analyzing the research subject. Methodology/Technique The survey data from 450 matriculation students and 350degree students were collected in two phases to facilitate both exploratory factor analysis (EFA), parallel analysis and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Furthermore, the reliability analysis of the scores and convergent, discriminate, and subgroup validity coefficients were examined. Findings Finding suggested that the inventory measures five constructs, namely, the innate ability, the structure of knowledge, the source of knowledge. The certainty of knowledge, and the speed of knowledge acquisition Novelty - EBIS is a valid and reliable instrument which may serve as useful in guiding future research aiming to understanding students' epistemological beliefs about science. EBIS is the first scale in the local level measuring epistemic beliefs about science according to multi-dimensional model. Type of Paper Empirical paper Keywords: Innate ability; Certainty of knowledge; Source of knowledge; Speed of knowledge acquisition; Structure of knowledge.