Problem Solving, metacognition and epistemological beliefs in 6th, 7th and 8th grade students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the problem solving skills (self confidence related to problem solving skill, self-control in problem solving, avoidance of problem solving), the epistemological beliefs (source of knowing, certainty of knowledge, development of knowledge, justification for knowing) and the metacognition of the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students and to establish the relationships among them. The study sample consists of the 13 public and private elementary schools in the central districts of Hatay and Adana province and the 1111 students in the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade in these schools. “Problem Solving Inventory for Children”, “Metacognitive Awareness Inventory for Children (Jr. MAI) – (B Forms)” and “Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire” was used as data collection tools. Independent groups t-test, one way analysis of variance and stepwise regression analysis methods were used for data analysis in the study. As the result of the data analysis, it was found that the averages of the self confidence related to problem solving skills of the female and male students were close to each other, the female students’ averages of avoidance of problem solving were higher than the male students’, the male students’ points of self-control in problem solving were higher than the female students’ and the female students’ points of epistemological beliefs and metacognition were higher than the male students’. In addition, it was found out that the students’ development levels of problem solving, epistemological beliefs and metacognition of the students were at medium-level and a developmental process was not followed in the second stage of the elementary education. Another finding is that the metacognition and justification for knowing significantly predicted the points of self confidence related to problem solving skill of the students who participated in the study, the metacognition, gender and source of knowing significantly predicted the students’ points of self-control in problem solving and metacognition, source of knowing and gender variables significantly predicted the students’ points of avoidance of problem solving.