Abstracts - Earli

academic integration variables as key factors to explain academic achievement 2) a second onetesting the effects of motivational variables 3) finally, an integrative model, combining both socialand academic integration and motivational variables as explanatory factors of academicachievement.A 2128 August 2007 15:00 - 17:00Room: 0.100DSymposiumNew approaches to investigating epistemological beliefsChair: Hans Gruber, University of Regensburg, GermanyChair: Barbara Moschner, University of Oldenburg, GermanyOrganiser: Hans Gruber, University of Regensburg, GermanyOrganiser: Barbara Moschner, University of Oldenburg, GermanyDiscussant: Helge Strømsø, University of Oslo, NorwayDiscussant: Christian Brandmo, University of Oslo, NorwayNew approaches to investigating epistemological beliefs Symposium Hans Gruber and BarbaraMoschner Epistemological beliefs are individuals’ fundamental assumptions about knowledge, itsnature, and appropriate ways to create it. Thus, individuals’ epistemological beliefs influence theirways of dealing with and solving problems, especially if new approaches and heuristics arerequired. In this way an understanding of these beliefs is relevant for understanding learning,irrelevant of the setting in which learning occurs. Most research has been done in formaleducational settings like schools or universities, but recently an interest has grown in analysing therole of epistemological beliefs for implicit learning which is typical for professional learning andlearning at the workplace. The discussion about appropriate methodological approaches how toassess epistemological beliefs is at its very beginning, given that the nature of knowledge,knowledge acquisition, individual responsibility for one’s own development and the role of supraindividualunits as communities of practice or expert networks is quite different in school settingsand in work settings. The proposed symposium intends to intensify this discussion. It bringstogether a number of researchers from different countries who have been investigating thepotential of epistemological beliefs from different methodological perspectives and with abackground in different learning and working areas. A number of the participants are member inthe international "REB-Net" (Research on Epistemological Beliefs Network). Presenters: (1)Denise L. Winsor and Lisa D. Bendixen (USA) (2) Stephen Billett (Australia) (3) Christian Harteis(Germany) (4) Silke Schworm and Hans Gruber (Germany) (5) Barbara Moschner and HansGruber (Germany) (6) Discussant: Christian Brandmo (Norway) (7) Discussant: Helge. I. Strømsø(Norway)Studying personal epistemology in preschool children using focus groupsDenise Winsor, University of Nevada, USALisa Bendixen, University of Nevada, USAThis is a qualitative study designed to use focus groups as a means of identifying the personalepistemologies of preschool children in an authentic learning environment. Personal epistemology– 62 –