Epistemic cognition when students read multiple documents containing conflicting scientific evidence: A think-aloud study

This study used think-aloud methodology to investigate 51 Norwegian undergraduates’ topic-specific epistemic cognition while working with six documents presenting conflicting views on the issue of cell phones and potential health risks. Results showed that students’ epistemic cognition was represented by one dimension concerning the certainty and simplicity of knowledge and three dimensions concerning the justification for knowing by different sources. Moreover, components of a mechanism of change, in particular epistemic doubt and resolution strategies, were identified in the think-aloud protocols. Finally, these mechanism of change components seemed to operate within distinct dimensions of epistemic cognition. Three case studies were used to elaborate on and illustrate how epistemic cognition may be differently involved in the reading of multiple conflicting documents over the course of reading.

► Epistemic cognition was investigated during multiple-documents reading.
► Dimensions concerning certainty/simplicity and justification were identified.
► Components of a mechanism of epistemic change were identified.
► The mechanism of change components operated on dimensions of epistemic cognition.