Sociodemographic Predictors of Difficulty in Performing Online Academic Activities Among Brazilian Graduate Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the challenge of online teaching to graduate courses, without prior preparation for students and teachers. In this context, the aim of the study was to identify sociodemographic predictors of difficulty in carrying out online academic activities by graduate students, by region of Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online sociodemographic questionnaire, carried out by the researchers, was answered by 5282 Brazilian graduate students, recruited via institutional e-mail. The chi-square test and multivariate binomial logistic regression were used to analyze the data. There was a significant difference between the regions in terms of difficulty in carrying out online activities, with a predominance in the southeast. The main significant predictors were: age between 40–59 years (Midwest, Southeast), other genders (Southeast); having children (North, Southeast); having no income (North, Northeast, Southeast and South); being black/brown (Midwest, Southeast). Thus, sociodemographic characteristics influenced online graduate education differently according to region, suggesting the need for actions to promote equity in education. It is possible that having children, age and identifying with other genders made it difficult to access and follow online activities.