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An application of the PLS-SEM model for evaluating e-learning user satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Abstract

The World Health Organisation classified the COVID-19 virus as a worldwide pandemic. It has had a profound impact on individuals’ lives, job patterns, and educational establishments worldwide. After offline and classroom learning were discontinued, a new learning platform (an e-learning platform) evolved to continue teaching and learning. The present study focuses on examining the associations among content (including websites and e-learning), the quality of e-learning, user happiness, and perceived damage during the epidemic. The study’s data were obtained using an online questionnaire that was produced using Google Forms and completed by the participants themselves. A total of 388 participants, hailing from various regions of India, participated in the study. The hypothesis is examined by the application of PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equation modelling), and the data are processed using Smart-PLS 3.2.4. Consequently, the acquisition of knowledge from both website content and e-content greatly enhances the quality of e-learning. Similarly, both the website and the e-learning material significantly influence user satisfaction. Furthermore, the perceived negative consequences associated with this pandemic have overshadowed the beneficial effects of website and e-learning materials and their quality.

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All the data generated or analysed during this study are included in this article.

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No funding was received for the present research.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

Conceptualisation: AN, SA. Analysis: SA, AN, AN. Writing-draft: AN, AF, SA. Writing-Review and editing: SA, AN, AF. Supervision: SA, AN, AN.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adnan Shakeel.

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Ethical approval

Because the aggregate data of the respondents were presented, no personal data were presented and due to the urgency of providing feedback to educational institutes and institutes of higher education ethical committee approval was not obtained. The study has not highlighted any individual information of the respondents therefore, ethical committee approval is not required in such studies.

Informed consent

The participants were informed about the research through questionnaires and informed consent was obtained online. It was clearly mentioned in the questionnaire that the data collected will be kept strictly confidential and will be used solely for academic purposes.

Research involving human participants and/or animals

The present study was performed in accordance with ethical standards.

Animal participation

Not applicable.

Conflict of interest

The author of the present manuscript declares that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Ali, N., Ahmad, N., Shakeel, A. et al. An application of the PLS-SEM model for evaluating e-learning user satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. SN Soc Sci 4, 106 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-024-00912-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-024-00912-x

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