Jordanian Version of the Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire about Mathematics: The Validation Study

Abstract

This article describes a study measuring epistemology about mathematics by means of the Epistemological Belief Survey about Mathematics developed in USA which was then adapted to be used in Jordan. The survey data from 300 tenth grade students and 450 twelve grade students were collected in two phases to facilitate both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Furthermore, the reliability analysis of the scores and convergent, discriminate, and subgroup validity coefficients were examined. Finding suggested that the inventory measures five constructs, namely, the innate ability, the structure of knowledge, the source of knowledge. The certainty of knowledge, and the speed of knowledge acquisition. These results demonstrated that the Jordan version of EBQM is a valid and reliable instrument which may serve as useful in guiding future research aiming to understanding students' epistemological beliefs about mathematics.