Trust in AI: scale development and validation for online distance learners
Küçük Resim Yok
Tarih
2026
Dergi Başlığı
Dergi ISSN
Cilt Başlığı
Yayıncı
Springernature
Erişim Hakkı
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Özet
Trust in artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a critical factor influencing students' interactions with AI-supported learning environments. However, validated instruments for measuring student trust in AI within educational contexts remain limited. This study developed and validated a multidimensional scale to assess student trust in AI systems in online distance education. Scale development followed a sequential multi-stage design, including item generation based on literature review, expert evaluation for content validity, and psychometric validation through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. A total of 837 distance learning students participated in the study (EFA = 412; CFA = 307; validation sample = 118). Exploratory factor analysis supported a five-factor structure explaining 63.20% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis with an independent sample indicated good model fit (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\chi <^>{2}$$\end{document}/df = 2.17; CFI = .95; TLI = .94; RMSEA = .06). The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha $$\end{document} = .94; \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\omega $$\end{document} = .94). Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis supported metric invariance across gender, indicating comparable measurement across groups. No significant gender differences were observed, and trust in AI was not significantly associated with grade point average or system engagement frequency. These results suggest that trust represents a distinct perception that may influence how students engage with AI-supported learning environments. The resulting 21-item scale provides a reliable instrument for investigating student trust in AI and offers practical implications for the design and implementation of AI-supported learning in higher education.
Açıklama
Anahtar Kelimeler
Artificial Intelligence, Trust, Technology Acceptance, Online Distance Education, Higher Education, Scale Development
Kaynak
Bmc Psychology
WoS Q Değeri
Q1
Scopus Q Değeri
Q2
Cilt
14
Sayı
1
