An Investigation of Student Expectation, Perceived Performance and Satisfaction of E-textbooks (original) (raw)

2013, Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice

This paper examines the use of e-textbooks in a college level introductory information systems course using an empirical study that gave students the option to buy electronic or print versions of the same textbook. The study measured and analyzed student expectations prior to purchase, perceived performance and satisfaction after use, intention to use e-textbooks in the future and the determinants of satisfaction using factor analysis and regression modeling, with a consumer behavior focus. Student reactions to e-textbook were mixed, indicating that students did not perceive the benefits to outweigh the drawbacks particularly due to lack of naturalness in e-textbooks. The study found that the level of satisfaction of e-textbook users is almost the same as that of print book users. On the average, the probability that e-textbook users will choose e-textbook over print book in the future is less than moderately high. Further, there is only a low probability that print book users will switch to the electronic version. There is, however, a slight improvement of student attitudes over past studies. Analysis of the determinants of satisfaction indicates that performance is the key determinant of satisfaction, and, unlike the results of certain consumer satisfaction studies, this study shows that expectation prior to using e-textbook has minimal impact on satisfaction. The study suggests that although e-textbooks have the potential to be an effective low-cost option, further improvement in cost as well as features that make them more natural, appealing and effective is necessary for wider acceptance by students.

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