Saudi Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions of Using Technology to Develop Research Skills

Hanan Alghamdi, Sultan Altalhab

Abstract


This study examined Saudi undergraduate EFL students’ perceptions of technology’s role in enhancing their research abilities. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving a questionnaire completed by 86 undergraduate students and interviews with 10 students. The questionnaire assessed students’ technology use, perspectives on research skills development and views on university support. The interviews provided deeper insights into the students’ experiences and challenges. The results highlight the role of technology in enhancing various research skills, including information searching, data analysis, organization, collaboration and language support. These findings underscore the potential of technology to transform research education and empower English as a foreign language (EFL) learners as potential capable researchers. The study also identified limitations and challenges associated with integrating technology into research skills development. Difficulties in accessing reliable and up-to-date information and evaluating sources, language barriers and the risk of overreliance on technology emerged as significant challenges. These limitations highlight the need to address these issues to fully harness the potential of technology in research skill development among undergraduate EFL students.

Keywords


EFL, Research Skills, Technology Use, Saudi Undergraduates

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.12n.4p.276

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