Are online reviews credible? The effects of online reviews for the adoption of MOOCs for E-learning

Abstract

ABSTRACT The proliferation of massive open online courses (MOOCs) has sped up the evolution of online education. People now have a habit of checking internet reviews before deciding on and enrolling in an MOOC. However, issues about the veracity of online reviews have grown in significance. The S-O-R framework was used to determine the factors that have an impact on the reliability of reviews of MOOCs. The current study uses dual process theory (DPT) as a theoretical framework for identifying the stimuli. This finding reveals that review consistency and overall rating are more important in influencing the adoption of MOOC than the various informational factors. The findings also highlight that informal online communication (online reviews) is crucial to the adoption of e-learning.