Title: Enhancing MOOC completion rates: an analysis of instrumental factors using the MCDM methodology

Authors: Neeraj Chopra; Rajiv Sindwani; Manisha Goel

Addresses: JC Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, India ' JC Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, India ' JC Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, India

Abstract: Despite notable strengths, the low completion rate in massive open online courses (MOOCs) remains a serious concern for developers and policymakers. Consequently, a need is emerged to conduct a research to investigate factors that play an instrumental role in MOOC completion. Based on elaborative literature review, 18 factors are derived. Further, with the help of a team of experts, the factors were distributed into five broad categories: personal, instructor, social, course, and experiential. The best worst method (BWM) was applied to prioritise the factors instrumental to MOOC completion. Sensitivity analysis was performed on the prioritisation result to determine the robustness. This research is among the pioneering work that has studied the relative significance of broad factors that leads to MOOC completion. On the academic front, the study will extend the knowledge base in the domain of MOOCs. The study will also provide valuable inputs to practitioners and policymakers for designing effective e-learning interventions to boost the overall MOOC completion rate.

Keywords: massive open online course; MOOC; MOOC completion factors; prioritisation; best worst method; BWM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPMB.2024.142143

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 2024 Vol.18 No.3, pp.290 - 309

Received: 13 Jun 2023
Accepted: 25 Jun 2023
Published online: 10 Oct 2024 *

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