Epistemic Metacognition in the Context of Information Searching on the Web

This chapter focuses on personal epistemology activated in context, to expand our understanding of its role in knowledge construction processes. The examined context is online searching on the Web, which is particularly relevant nowadays, as it has become a routine way for identifying and accessing information needed to know more on a topic. In accordance with Kuhn’s (2000) and Hofer’s (2004) conceptualizations, the chapter first situates personal epistemology at the metacognitive level of cognition, and then argues about how it may be in action during online searching. To believe that knowledge claims should not be justified in the light of evidence as they are reproductions of reality, or that knowledge claims are idiosyncratic and incomparable, or that they can be compared and rationally evaluated on the basis of shared norms may act as a resource or constraint for epistemic metacognition. Data from our empirical research program with college, high, and middle school students illustrate and clarify the arguments being proposed about epistemic monitoring and judgments during online searching of information to know more on a debated topic. Finally, the chapter reflects on the importance of students’ evaluation and interpretation of different resources provided by the Internet, which can be used as an epistemological tool (Tsai, 2004), and will draw educational implications for the enhancement of epistemic metacognition.