A Meta-Analysis of Gender Differences in e-Learners' Self-Efficacy, Satisfaction, Motivation, Attitude, and Performance Across the World

Abstract

E-learning has gained popularity since the outbreak of COVID-19. This study aims to identify gender differences in e-learners' self-efficacy, satisfaction, motivation, attitude, and performance across the world. Through a meta-analysis and systematic review, this study concludes that there are generally no significant gender differences in e-learning outcomes except in a few countries. Females significantly outperformed males in Spain and the UK. In Austria, India, and mixed countries (Chile and Spain), females hold significantly more positive attitudes toward e-learning than males. In the USA, females present significantly higher self-efficacy than males. Future research into the gender issue in e-learning across the world may adopt cross-disciplinary research methods except for a meta-analysis.

Keywords: attitude; gender differences; motivation; performance; satisfaction; self-efficacy.