Adoption of Online Distance Learning in Malaysian Higher Education: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Key Influencing Factors

HRMARS - Digital technologies have profoundly reshaped the global higher education landscape, with online distance learning emerging as a pivotal mechanism for enhancing the accessibility and flexibility of quality education. Focusing on the unique Malaysian context, this study seeks to comprehensively examine the complex and interrelated factors affecting the effectiveness and adoption of ODL, with a specific emphasis on the institutional, technological, and psychological dimensions that shape the learner experience. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the research's quantitative phase utilized an online survey disseminated via stratified sampling to recruit 250 respondents, thereby ensuring a representative cohort. This was followed by a qualitative phase consisting of semi-structured interviews with 20 participants who were purposely selected from the initial sample to provide rich, elucidative insights. This methodological triangulation strategically enhances the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings, thereby significantly improving the overall rigor and robustness of the study. The findings highlight that student resilience within ODL environments is not merely an inherent individual attribute but is dynamically co-constructed through reliable institutional structures, accessible technological infrastructure, and supportive social relationships. Optimal ODL outcomes demand an integrated strategy that synergizes technology with pedagogical excellence, equitable infrastructure, and learner motivation to urgently resolve rural-urban divides and administrative barriers.