ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Psychol.
Sec. Educational Psychology
This article is part of the Research TopicInnovative ICT Strategies for Inclusive Education: Enhancing Teacher Competencies and Student EngagementView all 17 articles
Exploring the Causes of Learning Burnout in Online Learning Among Master's Students: A Q-Methodology study
Provisionally accepted
- 1Zunyi Medical University - Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, China
- 2The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai, Zhuhai, China
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Abstract Purpose This study aims to identify the causes of learning burnout among master's students participating in online learning through the Q methodology. The findings are intended to inform course design and instructional practices for graduate educators. Methods This study utilized Q methodology to investigate the factors contributing to learning burnout among master's students in online environments. The research followed these steps: (1) defining Q-channels, (2) constructing the Q-sample, (3) selecting the P-sample, (4) conducting Q-ranking, and (5) analyzing data and interpreting results. Results Fifteen master's students participated in the study. The identified causes of online learning burnout were categorized into four groups: (1) lack of self-management and academic pressure, (2) external interference and lack of motivation, (3) challenges in adapting to the online classroom environment, and (4) distractions and limited learning resources. Conclusion The causes of online learning burnout among postgraduate students are complex and varied. To alleviate this burnout, targeted interventions are essential for improving the quality of online learning and for supporting the well-being and academic progress of master's students.
Keywords: learning burnout, Masters students, Online Learning, Q Methodology, Qualitativestudy
Received: 13 Sep 2025; Accepted: 27 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Zuo, Li, Li, Zhu, Liu and Wang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Ning Liu
JI bo Wang
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