Cited by 574Educational Strategies and EpistemologiesInnovative Teaching and Learning MethodsEpistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics

Epistemological Understanding as a Metacognitive Process: Thinking Aloud During Online Searching

Hofer, Barbara K.·2004·Educational Psychologist

Abstract

Personal epistemology has typically been conceptualized in one of two primary ways: as a cognitive developmental process or as a system of beliefs. The approach that is elaborated here is to conceive of epistemological understanding as a metacognitive process that activates epistemic theories, a multidimensional set of interrelated beliefs about knowledge and knowing. Building on the work of Flavell (1979), K. S. Kitchener (1983), and Kuhn (1999b), this article describes the rationale for conceptualizing epistemological awareness at the metacognitive level, delineates the nature of this construct, and describes how this directs methodological choices for research. This is discussed in light of a recent study of students' online searching for a simulated science assignment, investigated through the use of think-aloud protocols. Exploring students' thought processes during online searching allows examination of personal epistemology not as a decontextualized set of beliefs, but as an activated, situated aspect of cognition that influences the knowledge construction process.

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Crossref · 10.1207/s15326985ep3901_5

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Authors
Hofer, B. K.
Corresponding author
Hofer, Barbara K.
Venue
Educational Psychologist
Published
2004-01-01
Volume
39
Issue
1
Pages
43-55
ISSN
  • 0046-1520 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-6985
OpenAlex
W1963612400
Cited by
573
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 39 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 29
FWCI
34.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Educational Psychologist (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational Strategies and Epistemologies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics
Keywords
personal epistemology, epistemic theory, metacognition, epistemic awareness, web search, think-aloud, knowledge construction, situated cognition

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