Exploring Perceptions of E-Books Among CEGEP Students and Faculty - Abstract

Oct 15, 2026

Study examining how e-books are perceived by students and faculty at a Quebec CEGEP, and what factors shape those perceptions. With a survey of 2,260 participants and 266 total responses, findings show broad awareness and some prior experience. Prior experience influences perceptions; printed materials—especially books—are generally seen as more credible than digital. Students often read online without taking notes. E-books are viewed as more convenient, become attractive at about 50% of print price, and many users believe they own e-textbooks despite rental models.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages29

Reading Time1 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Résumé

Introduction

Volume 45(1) Winter/ hiver 2019 Exploring Perceptions of E-Books Among CEGEP Students and Faculty Exploration des perceptions relatives aux livres électroniques chez les étudiants et enseignants au cégep Yuan Chen, Concordia University Saul Carliner, Concordia University Salvador Garcia Martinez, Concordia University Ann-Louise Davidson, Concordia University Abstract Because they are believed to be able to lower the costs of an education, e-books have been factored into the technology plans for community colleges and CEGEPs during the current decade. But adoption is a function of perceptions, which this study explored: (1) General perceptions ofthe CEGEP (collège d'enseignement général et professionnel, a community college-like institution in Quebec) students and faculty towards e-books and (2) the factors that drive those perceptions. Previous studies found that users generally had neutral and positive impressions of e-books and that the following factors drive overall perceptions of e-books: (a) previous experience,(b) reading preferences and tasks; (c) reading habits; (d) convenience; (e) costs; and (f) ownership issues. A survey of the 2,260 faculty and students at a CEGEP in Quebec was conducted, with 247 students and 19 faculty responding. Results indicated wide awareness of e-books and at least some experience with them. Results validated that previous experience drove perceptions, that printed materials generally had more credibility than digital ones (this was more pronounced for books), that many students read online but do not take notes when doing so, users perceive e-books to be more convenient than printed ones, that e-books become attractive when their price is 50% that of print, and that most users think that they own e-textbooks even though most publishers merely rent e-textbooks. The results suggest adoption barriers beyond technology and general perceptions that need to be addressed to increase general use and that designers of zero-cost (Z-degrees or Zed-Cred) degrees should consider. Résumé Parce qu’on croit qu’ils peuvent diminuer les coûts associés à l’éducation, les livres électroniques ont été pris en compte dans les plans technologiques des collèges communautaires et des cégeps au cours de la dernière décennie. L’adoption, cependant, est fonction des perceptions, que la présente étude a explorées : (1) perceptions générales des étudiants et enseignants du cégep (collège d’enseignement général et professionnel) quant aux livres électroniques et (2) facteurs qui motivent ces perceptions. Des études antérieures avaient concluque les utilisateurs avaient des impressions neutres et positives sur les livres électroniques, et que les facteurs suivants déterminaient les perceptions globales quant aux livres électroniques : (a) expérience préalable,(b) préférences et tâches de lecture,(c) habitudes de lecture,(d) commodité,(e) coût et (f) questions de propriété . Un sondage de 2260 étudiants et enseignants d’un cégep québécois a été réalisé, et des réponses ont été obtenues de 247 étudiants et 19 membres du corps professoral. Les résultats ont indiqué une vaste conscience de l’existence des livres électroniques et, à tout le moins, une certaine expérience avec eux. Les résultats ont confirmé que l’expérience préalable déterminait les perceptions, que les documents imprimés onten général une plus grande crédibilité que les documents numériques (cela était plus prononcé pour les livres), que de nombreux étudiants lisent en ligne, mais sans prendre de notes, que les utilisateurs perçoivent les livres électroniques comme étant plus pratiques que les livres imprimés, que les livres électroniques deviennent attrayants quand leur prix est à 50 % du prix del’imprimé, et que la plupart des usagers croient posséder leurs manuels électroniques, même si laplupart des éditeurs ne font que les louer. Les résultats suggèrent qu’il existe des obstacles à l’adoption autres que la technologie et les perception

FAQs

What does the study investigate about e-books at CEGEPs?

It examines students’ and faculty members’ general perceptions of e-books and the factors that drive those perceptions.

How was the survey conducted and what were the response results?

A survey was conducted among 2,260 faculty and students at a CEGEP in Quebec, with 247 student and 19 faculty responses. Results indicated wide awareness and some prior experience with e-books.

Which factors were found to drive perceptions of e-books?

The results validate that previous experience influences perceptions, and they highlight credibility of printed materials, convenience perceptions, reading note-taking behavior online, price sensitivity, and ownership/rental misunderstandings.

Oct 15, 2026

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