Digital reading in Vietnamese universities: The situation and influencing factors

Abstract

The development of digital technologies, devices and resources impacts students’ digital reading habits and learning performance. This article aims to explore the situation of digital reading in Vietnamese universities and survey the factors influencing digital reading. Questionnaires were distributed to library staff and bachelor’s degree students at six universities in Vietnam; 906 valid questionnaires were received back from the students and 96 from the librarians. The data was analysed by using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. The findings reveal that the universities, academic libraries and lecturers had prepared the necessary conditions to support digital reading (i.e. regulations, processes, programmes, digital resources). Another highlighted result indicates that factors concerning students and lecturers had the most important influence on digital reading based on the responses of the library staff and students. The findings of this study will be useful for administrators, faculty members and library staff in designing appropriate solutions and programmes to support digital reading for undergraduate students.