Demographic, Attitude, and Personality Differences Reported by Students Enrolled in Online versus Traditional Courses

Stephen J. Jenkins, Elizabeth Downs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study investigated demographic, personality, and attitude differences between students enrolled in online courses and students enrolled in traditional, lecture courses. Subjects were 120 education majors enrolled in required Master's of Education core courses. Students enrolled in either online (n = 51) or traditional course format (n = 69) during summer and fall semesters 2001. The two groups of students were compared on an author-designed questionnaire assessing students' demographic characteristics and attitudes toward both online and traditional instruction and the Cattell Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire. Analysis indicated high demographic and interpersonal similarity between students enrolled in online course formats and students enrolled in traditional, face-to-face course formats. Significant differences in attitude were found between the two groups; online courses were rated higher by online students but viewed with considerable ambivalence by students enrolled in traditional section courses.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalPsychological Reports
Volume93
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2003

Keywords

  • Demographics
  • Online courses
  • Students

DC Disciplines

  • Educational Administration and Supervision
  • Educational Leadership
  • Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research

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