Psychometric Properties of a Scale Designed to Assess Satisfaction and Continued Intention to Utilize E-learning Among Nutrition Sciences Students

Abstract

E-learning uses information and communication technologies to facilitate access to online teaching resources and encourage collaborative environments among students. However, the abrupt transition to e-learning is a challenge in clinical health courses, like nutrition sciences courses, which rely on hands-on training. Several studies indicate that e-learning can be more effective than traditional teaching methods. However, studies and validated tools for evaluating satisfaction and intention to use e-learning are scarce. The main objective of this study is to translate and validate a questionnaire designed to assess the factors that affect the satisfaction and continued intention of higher education students, with a special focus on Nutrition Sciences students, in the e-learning context. An online questionnaire was created and applied between February 2021 and October 2023, distributed during classes. The questionnaire included questions about sociodemographic characteristics and assessed expectations, attitudes, intentions, and the use of distance learning, using a 5-point Likert scale. The analysis showed that the questionnaire is reliable, with a high Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α = 0.970) and valid, with good adequacy in exploratory factor analysis (KMO = 0.931). Furthermore, analysis of the scree plot suggested a one-factor solution, where a single factor explained 63.9% of the total variance. This confirms the effectiveness of the questionnaire to assess students’ satisfaction and continued intention to use e-learning.

Appendices

Annex

Annex 1. Scale items and constructs in English (original) and Portuguese (translation).

English	Portuguese
Expectation	Expectativa
1. Using e-learning can improve my learning performance	1. Através do ensino à distância posso melhorar a minha aprendizagem
2. Using e-learning can increase my learning effectiveness	2. Através do ensino a distância posso aumentar a eficácia da minha aprendizagem
3. I find e-learning to be useful to me	3. Penso que o ensino a distância seja útil para mim
Attitude	Attitudes
4. Using e-learning is a good idea	4. Penso que utilizar o ensino a distância seja bom
5. I like using e-learning	5. Eu gosto de utilizar o ensino a distância
6. It is desirable to use e-learning	6. É desejável o recurso ao ensino a distância
Subjective norms	Normas subjetivas
7. People important to me support my use of e-learning	7. As pessoas que são importantes para mim pensam que é positivo frequentar o ensino a distância
8. People who influence me think that I should use e-learning	8. As pessoas que me influenciam pensam que é positivo frequentar o ensino a distância
9. People whose opinion I value prefer that I should use e-learning	9. As pessoas cuja opinião eu valorizo pensam que ​​é positivo frequentar o ensino a distância
Perceived behavioural control	Controlo comportamental percebido
10. Using e-learning system was entirely within my control	10. A utilização do sistema de ensino a distância está totalmente dentro das minhas capacidades
11. I had the resources. Knowledge. And ability to use e-learning	11. Eu tenho os recursos. Conhecimentos e competências para frequentar um curso de ensino a distância
12. I would be able to use the e-learning system well for learning process	12. Eu seria capaz de utilizar uma plataforma de ensino a distância para aprender
Confirmation	Confirmação
13. My experience using the e-learning system was better than I expected	13. A minha experiência na utilização de uma plataforma de ensino a distância foi melhor do que eu esperava
14. The service level provided by the e-learning system was better than I expected	14. Os recursos oferecidos pela plataforma de ensino a distância superaram as minhas expetativas
15. The e-learning systems can meet demands in excess of what I required for the service	15. As plataformas de ensino a distância vão de encontro às minhas necessidades de aprendizagem
Satisfaction	Satisfação
16. I am satisfied with the performance of e-learning	16. Estou satisfeito com o meu desempenho no ensino a distância
17. I am pleased with the experience of using e-learning	17. Estou satisfeito com a minha experiência da utilização do ensino a distância
Intention to use	Intenção de utilização
18. My decision to use e-learning system on a regular basis in the future	18. Tenho intenção de utilizar plataformas de ensino a distância de forma regular no futuro
19. I will frequently use the e-learning system in the future	19. Utilizarei frequentemente plataformas de ensino a distância no futuro
20. I will strongly recommend that others use it	20. Eu recomendo fortemente que outros utilizem plataformas de ensino a distância