NURUL ASHIKIN IZHAR

@education.usm.my

Lecturer, School of Educational Studies
Universiti Sains Malaysia

Dr Nurul Ashikin Izhar, PhD is a researcher with expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods. With years of experience in the field, she has developed a strong skillset in research design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

She has worked on various research projects, including market research, user research, and academic research, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide comprehensive insights. Additionally, she is a certified UX researcher, which enables the combination of research skills with an understanding of user behavior. This certification has allowed her to conduct user interviews, usability testing, and surveys to identify user needs, pain points, and opportunities for improvement.

She has published several papers in academic journals and has presented research findings at various conferences and events. Her passion for studying human behavior and using research insights to inform business decisions and improve user experien

EDUCATION

B.Sc (hons) Plant Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
M.Ed Biology Education, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia
PhD Educational Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Education

Scopus Publications

121

Scholar Citations

Scholar h-index

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

UNLOCKING AI POTENTIAL: EFFORT EXPECTANCY, SATISFACTION, AND USAGE IN RESEARCH
Nurul Ashikin Izhar, Wendy Ven Ye Teh, and Anita Adnan
Informing Science Institute
Aim/Purpose: This study investigates the key factors influencing the adoption and use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications among researchers, focusing on effort expectancy, satisfaction, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness, which shaped attitudes and drove AI adoption as a research assistant. Background: AI tools have rapidly become game-changers in academic research, transforming tasks such as literature retrieval, writing, editing, and data analysis. Despite their potential, barriers like high effort expectancy, inconsistent user satisfaction, and ethical concerns regarding over-reliance and plagiarism continue to hinder widespread adoption. A pressing gap exists in understanding how AI impacts the efficiency and integrity of academic research workflows. Methodology: A quantitative approach using structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed. Data was collected from 120 active researchers who use AI tools for academic tasks, including literature reviews, writing support, and data visualization. Contribution: This study contributes to the understanding of how key factors, such as effort expectancy and satisfaction, affect AI adoption in academic research. It emphasizes the importance of reducing cognitive load and improving user satisfaction to promote widespread AI adoption. It also underscores the importance of intuitive AI design and institutional support in shaping researchers’ engagement with AI tools, which could enhance productivity and research outcomes. Findings: The findings reveal that effort expectancy, satisfaction, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness significantly influence attitude and actual use of AI tools, with attitude serving as a key mediator. The model demonstrated moderate to high explanatory power (R² = 0.409 to 0.459) and predictive relevance (Q² = 0.171 to 0.409), highlighting the substantial role of effort expectancy and satisfaction in shaping perceived ease of use and usefulness. These findings emphasize the importance of reducing cognitive load and improving user satisfaction to encourage the adoption of AI tools in research. Recommendations for Practitioners: Institutions and AI developers should focus on reducing the learning curve of AI tools by enhancing their intuitiveness and providing targeted training and technical support. Ethical AI use should also be promoted to address concerns about over-reliance and plagiarism. Institutions should foster a culture that normalizes AI integration in research practices. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers should be informed of the long-term effects of AI adoption on research quality and integrity and how institutional support can foster positive attitudes toward AI tools in academic research. Impact on Society: The broader adoption of AI tools in academic research could enhance productivity and efficiency, leading to more breakthroughs in various fields and benefiting society by accelerating research and innovation. Additionally, AI can democratize access to research resources, particularly for underfunded institutions and early-career researchers, by enabling broader participation in cutting-edge research and fostering equity and diversity in academic contributions. Future Research: Future studies should focus on the role of user experience in AI adoption, particularly how different user groups interact with AI tools. Longitudinal studies could provide insights into how attitudes toward AI change as users become more familiar with the tools.

Evaluating Mobile Application as Assistive Technology to Improve Students with Learning Disabilities for Communication, Personal Care and Physical Function
Rozniza Zaharudin, Nurul Ashikin Izhar, and Deekha Lai Hwa
Society for Research and Knowledge Management
This study addresses the challenges faced by Malaysian students with learning disabilities, emphasizing the critical role of assistive technology (AT), particularly Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) within mobile applications. Focusing on the Smart-App, the research explores its efficacy in supporting students in learning and establishing routines for activities of daily living (ADLs). Four preschool students aged five to six attending a specialized institution, with the use of direct observation and an adapted checklist methodology to assess their personal care, physical function, and communication aspects. Smart-App's shows significant impact on communication, enhancing two-way communication through visual schedules and AAC features. In personal care, the app facilitated ADLs, such as handwashing and tooth brushing, emphasizing a sequential click-through approach. Additionally, the oral hygiene module served as an effective pedagogical tool. In terms of physical function, Smart-App contributed to toilet training and identified challenges in specific physical activities. The study contributes substantively to the discourse on AT in education, underscoring the potential of Smart-App as a valuable tool for enhancing ADLs and fostering independence among students with learning disabilities.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling practices: Case studies in Putrajaya Malaysia and Kitakyushu Japan
N. Yusof, A. Haraguchi, N. A. Izhar, and A. Kamari
AIP Publishing

A Bibliometric Analysis of 21st Century Learning Using Scopus Database
Nurul Ashikin Izhar, Nor Asniza Ishak, and Siti Mastura Baharudin
Society for Research and Knowledge Management
The concept of 21st century learning aims to prepare people to live and work in a more advanced environment. Hence, the objective of this paper is to explore the extent of publications on the topic of 21st century learning and COVID-19 in the Scopus database. Keywords used for analysis were TITLE-ABS-KEY-((‘21stcentury*’) AND (education* OR learning*) AND (covid*)) with the analysis based on (i) document and source types, (ii) citation trend, (iii) topic of discussion, and (iv) regional distribution. Four steps of research protocol were adopted: (i) topic, scope and eligibility, (ii) identification, (iii) screening. A total of 105 documents were then used for further analysis. ‘Article’ and ‘Journal’ under the ‘Document’ and ‘Resources’ Type registered the most citations and were assumed to be of most interest, while the Citation Trend showed an increasing number of citations of these publications. E-learning was the most frequently discussed topic, and the United States was the region most actively conducting research in this area. The high number of annual citations suggests that this area is a promising one for research. Although the most frequently referenced publications were about students' development of 21st century skills, there is still a gap in the field for educators. Further research would speed up the development of the educators’ skills and promote the use of 21st century skills.

Exploring the Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) for Promoting Independence in Daily Skills of Students with Learning Disabilities
Rozniza Zaharudin, Nurul Ashikin Izhar, and Deekha Lai Hwa
Society for Research and Knowledge Management
Augmented and alternative communication (AAC) mobile apps are increasingly being used to support students with learning disabilities in developing their communication and daily skills. Mobile AAC apps offer portability, user-friendliness and customisation that enables students with learning disabilities to communicate by using symbols, pictures and words for clear expression. This study investigated the experiences of two teachers with AAC mobile apps in promoting daily skills among students with learning disabilities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the teachers, exploring their perspectives on the effectiveness of specific AAC mobile app features. The interview questions were adapted from the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARs). The findings revealed that AAC mobile apps featuring these features were particularly effective in assisting students with learning disabilities in developing their daily skills. The teachers highlighted the benefits of AAC mobile apps in enhancing communication, promoting independence and facilitating the acquisition of essential daily skills. This study contributes valuable insights into the practical application of AAC mobile apps in educational settings and emphasise the significance of customisable features to cater for the individual needs of students with learning disabilities. Additionally, the study highlights the need for further research to explore the long-term impact of AAC mobile apps on the communication and daily skills development of students with learning disabilities. The findings of this study have the potential to inform the development and implementation of innovative AAC mobile app-based interventions for students with learning disabilities to help these students to achieve their full potential and become independent.

Establishment of encapsulation-dehydration technique for in vitro fragmented explants of Rosa hybrida L. cv. Helmut Schmidt
Safiah Mubbarakh, Nurul Izhar, Arulvilee Rajasegar, and Sreeramanan Subramaniam
Pensoft Publishers
This study was carried out to evaluate the encapsulation-dehydration technique on IFEs of Rosa hybrida L. cv. Helmut Schmidt. The survival of IFEs was first assessed based on the effects of four sucrose concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 M) at different durations (0, 24 and 48 hours). The IFEs were then encapsulated and osmoprotected on shaker at 110 rpm with various sucrose concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.5 and 0.75 M). Subsequently, encapsulated IFEs were dehydrated under laminar air flow during three different time periods (0, 3 and 6 hours) on oven sterilized 50 g silica gel. The encapsulated IFEs were plunged into liquid nitrogen for a minimum duration of 24 hour. Encapsulated IFEs were thawed at 40ºC for 90 seconds and cultured on full-strength MS medium supplemented with 3% sucrose for a week in dark, a week in semi-light and an additional 1 week under full light exposure. IFEs were then evaluated for survival by 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride assay at 490 nm. The best conditions for the encapsulation-dehydration of IFEs of Rosa hybrida L. cv. Helmut Schmidt was obtained when IFEs were precultured in 0.25 M sucrose for 24 hours, osmoprotected in 0.75 M sucrose and dehydrated for 3 hours. Histological analysis showed cryopreserved IFEs with intensely stained nucleus but with severely damaged membranes.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Unlocking AI Potential: Effort Expectancy, Satisfaction, and Usage in Research
NA Izhar, WVY Teh, A Adnan
Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice 24 (5 2025

Evaluating mobile application as assistive technology to improve students with learning disabilities for communication, personal care and physical function
R Zaharudin, NA Izhar, DL Hwa
International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research 23 (8 2024

Municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling practices: Case studies in Putrajaya Malaysia and Kitakyushu Japan
N Yusof, A Haraguchi, NA Izhar, A Kamari
AIP Conference Proceedings 2750 (1) 2024

Exploring the Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) for Promoting Independence in Daily Skills of Students with Learning Disabilities
R Zaharudin, NA Izhar, DL Hwa
International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research 22 (11 2023

A Bibliometric Analysis of 21st Century Learning Using Scopus Database
NA Izhar, NA Ishak, SM Baharudin
International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research 22 (3 2023

THE STUDENT TEACHERS’ INTELLECTUAL QUALITY IN MALAYSIA PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
NA Ishak, SM Baharudin, NA Izhar
International Journal of Education, Islamic Studies and Social Sciences 2022

Assessing students’ municipal solid waste recycling behavior in Putrajaya Malaysia
NA Izhar, N Yusof, H Akira, A Kamari
Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH) 7 (9), e001716 2022

Barriers Faced by Teachers in Acclimatizing to Online Teaching
NA Izhar, YM Al-dheleai, R Zaharudin, SN Kew
Proceedings 82 (1), 11 2022

Teaching in the Time of Covid-19: The Challenges Faced By Teachers in Initiating Online Class Sessions
NA Izhar, YM Al-dheleai, KS Na
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 2021

Education continuation strategies during COVID-19 in Malaysia
NA Izhar, YM Al-Dheleai, NA Ishak
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 2021

Establishment of encapsulation-dehydration technique for in vitro fragmented explants of Rosa hybrida L. cv. Helmut Schmidt
SA Mubbarakh, NA Izhar, A Rajasegar, S Subramaniam
Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture 26 (6), 565 2014

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Education continuation strategies during COVID-19 in Malaysia
NA Izhar, YM Al-Dheleai, NA Ishak
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 2021
Citations: 34

A Bibliometric Analysis of 21st Century Learning Using Scopus Database
NA Izhar, NA Ishak, SM Baharudin
International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research 22 (3 2023
Citations: 9

Barriers Faced by Teachers in Acclimatizing to Online Teaching
NA Izhar, YM Al-dheleai, R Zaharudin, SN Kew
Proceedings 82 (1), 11 2022
Citations: 2