Core Beliefs about Knowing and Peripheral Beliefs About Learning: Developing an Holistic Conceptualisation of Epistemological Beliefs

In this paper, a core-peripheral beliefs framework is used to present a structure for conceptualising epistemological beliefs, or beliefs about the nature and acquisition of knowledge. Using this framework, the structure of the epistemological belief system is seen as comprising both core beliefs about knowing and peripheral beliefs about learning. Core beliefs about knowing are central and connected to most other beliefs whereas peripheral beliefs about learning and teaching are derived from these core beliefs and are more easily reflected upon and changed. The two distinct literatures related to developmental epistemological beliefs and student learning research are therefore integrated and discussed in this paper to provide a theoretical basis for future studies