Different Sub-Domains of Biology May Be Influencing Practices in Simulated Authentic Science Inquiry

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/4j03d1059

Abstract

Epistemological beliefs are defined as cognition about knowledge and knowing. Studies have found that examining students' epistemological beliefs about science is important for science education. With this lens, studying epistemological beliefs about science could help improve science education and as a result increase the retention rate of students perusing a STEM degree. Despite this importance, few studies explore epistemological beliefs about science among undergraduate students. Of these studies few are done in the context of biology, and none examine potential differences between subdisciplines of biology. This paper investigates how epistemological beliefs about science could differ between two biology subdomains, ecology and molecular biology, among first year life science students. Initial findings indicate that different sub-domains of biology may influence epistemological beliefs as seen through inquiry practices.

Creator