A Factor Analytic Study of Epistemological Style Inventories

Abstract

Literature concerning the measurement of epistemological style is characterized by a plethora of minimally developed instruments potentially measuring redundant styles. The purpose of the present study was to integrate the instrumentation efforts of previous researchers by factor analyzing available epistemological style inventories, the long-range goal being the development of a single, comprehensive measuring device. Seven different epistemological styles, as measured by five separate epistemological style inventories, were submitted to orthogonal principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation. Results revealed three significant factors, which were labeled Naive Realism, Logical Inquiry, and Skeptical Subjectivism. In addition, relationships were found between the factors derived and the demographic variables of gender, college major, and ethnicity. The heuristic potential of this preliminary model of epistemological style is discussed.