Patterns of Perception and Use of ChatGPT in College Students: An HJ-Biplot and Cluster Analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions and attitudes of Ecuadorian university students toward ChatGPT as an educational tool, analyzing usage patterns and factors that influence its adoption. Unlike previous studies, this research employs an advanced statistical approach combining HJ-Biplot and cluster analysis, allowing for segmentation of profiles based on their degree of acceptance. Primary data were collected from 210 students from different Ecuadorian universities using a validated questionnaire. This is a cross-sectional study that utilizes HJ-Biplot and cluster analysis techniques. The results identified three distinct profiles: (1) students with highly positive perceptions and constant technological access; (2) students with intermediate perceptions, influenced by technological limitations in rural areas; and (3) skeptical students with less technological exposure. Sociodemographic variables such as gender, university, and area of residence showed a significant impact on ChatGPT acceptance. The findings suggest that the digital divide and differences in access to technology largely determine ChatGPT adoption. The proposal is to design personalized strategies for each profile: promoting advanced use in the first group, providing technological training in the second, and reducing skepticism through empirical evidence and guided experiences in the third group. This study provides a novel perspective on student segmentation based on multivariate analysis, providing evidence for future interventions in the use of AI in higher education.