 Future research should:
- Include a more diverse sample of students (i.e. from various professional statuses)
- investigate social presence in lesser-known MOOCs (the reputation of the MOOC may impact social presence).  
- utilize other survey methods (alternative to 'Survey Monkey').


Implications for Further Research

Limits of this study:
- Most respondents came from top famous MOOCs websites, such as Coursera, edX, and Udacity. 
- The name and reputation of such MOOCs websites might affect social presence.



San Jose State University

University of California, Davis

Method:
- This study used a web based survey to validate study constructs (survey monkey) and asked participants if they had ever been in a MOOC and which websites they frequented in the duration of the course
- Measured on a 1-7 Likert scale (1-strongly disagree to 7- strongly agree)
- Utilized a convenience sample
- Controlled variable is gender, experience with MOOCs, and the MOOCs website name and reputation
- T-tests for data analysis and Partial Least Squares for hypothesis testing

Findings:
- The empirical results support all of the hypotheses in the study.


Social presence antecedents research, methodology, & findings

Imlawi, J. M. (2018). Social Presence Antecedents and Consequences in Massive Open Online Courses. International Business Research (Toronto), 11(4), 32. https://doi.org/10.5539/ibr.v11n4p32 

Social Presence Antecedents and Consequences in Massive Open Online Courses

- H1: Self presentation of MOOC instructor will positively influence students’ perceptions of social presence
- H2: Extraversion of MOOC instructor will positively influence student’s perceptions of social presence
- H3: MOOC students’ attention will positively influence their perceptions of social presence 
- H4: MOOC students’ perceived control over a MOOC website will positively influence their perceptions of social presence
- H5: Students' perceived responsiveness of a MOOC website will positively influence their perceptions of social presence
- H6:MOOC students’ perceived synchronicity of a MOOC website will positively influence their perceptions of social presence

- H7: Media richness of a MOOC website will positively influence students' perceptions of social presence
- H8: MOOC students’ perceptions of social presence in a MOOC website will positively influence their satisfaction
- H9: Students’ perceptions of social presence in a MOOC website will positively influence their perceived enjoyment

Research hypotheses of perceived social presence in online learning

Limitations of Research regarding perceived social presence in online learning

The study used partial least squares (PLS) for hypothesis testing and data analysis

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