Epistemological Beliefs According to the Need for Cognition and Gender among a Sample of Secondary Stage Students at Ajloun Governorate

Abstract

The present study aimed at revealing the level of epistemological beliefs, and identifying the impact of the need for cognition and gender on epistemological beliefs among public schools’ students at Ajloun Governorate. Three hundred sixty eight male and female students from the first grade secondary class were selected using the available sampling method. Two scales were used for measuring the epistemological beliefs and the need for cognition. The study results showed that students had a medium level of epistemological beliefs on the overall scale and on its sub-dimensions. Students with higher levels of need for cognition had higher levels of epistemological beliefs than those with low levels. Nevertheless, no statistically significant differences in the students’ epistemological beliefs were found due to students' gender