Pemetaan Kendala Penulisan Ilmiah Mahasiswa: Sebuah Pendekatan SEM-PLS

Authors
Keywords:
hambatan afektif, hambatan kognitif, hambatan linguistik, hambatan teknologi, penulisan karya tulis ilmiah
Abstract

Penulisan ilmiah merupakan kompetensi akademik yang menuntut kemampuan linguistik, kognitif, afektif, dan literasi teknologi yang memadai. Namun, berbagai temuan menunjukkan bahwa mahasiswa masih menghadapi beragam hambatan dalam memulis karya tulis ilmiah secara efektif. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk memetakan dan menganalisis hambatan utama yang memengaruhi kemampuan menulis karya tulis ilmiah mahasiswa dengan SEM-PLS. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif  desain cross-sectional  dengan SEM-PLS. Responden sebanyak 144 mahasiswa yang dipilih secara purposive. Alat pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner  dengan nilai validitas 0,703-0,882 dan reliabilitas 0,766-0,829. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa hambatan afektif merupakan satu-satunya hambatan yang berpengaruh langsung dan signifikan terhadap kesulitan menulis karya tulis ilmiah mahasiswa. Sebaliknya, hambatan linguistik, kognitif, dan teknologi tidak menunjukkan pengaruh langsung, tetapi berpengaruh melalui hubungan mediasi. Temuan penting lainnya menunjukkan adanya jalur mediasi berantai dari hambatan linguistik menuju kesulitan menulis melalui hambatan afektif dan kognitif, serta hubungan kuat antarhambatan internal, seperti pengaruh signifikan hambatan afektif terhadap hambatan kognitif dan hambatan kognitif terhadap hambatan teknologi. Simpulan penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa kesulitan menulis mahasiswa bersifat multidimensional dan lebih dipengaruhi oleh dinamika afektif daripada kemampuan teknis semata. Implikasi penelitian ini merekomendasikan perlunya intervensi pembelajaran menulis yang berfokus pada penguatan aspek emosional, pemikiran kritis, dan literasi digital secara terpadu di perguruan tinggi.

Mapping Barriers to Academic Writing among University Student: A SEM-PLS Approach

Scientific writing is an academic competence that demands adequate linguistic, cognitive, affective, and technological literacy skills. However, various findings indicate that students still face diverse obstacles in writing scientific papers effectively. This study aims to map and analyze the primary barriers influencing students' scientific writing abilities using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). The research employs a quantitative, cross-sectional design. A total of 144 students were selected as respondents through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire with validity scores ranging from 0.703 to 0.882 and reliability scores between 0.766 and 0.829. The results demonstrate that affective barriers are the only factors that directly and significantly influence students' difficulties with scientific writing. In contrast, linguistic, cognitive, and technological barriers do not show a direct impact but instead operate through mediating relationships. Another key finding reveals a serial mediation path from linguistic barriers to writing difficulties through affective and cognitive barriers. Furthermore, strong interrelationships exist among internal obstacles, such as the significant influence of affective barriers on cognitive barriers and of cognitive barriers on technological barriers. The conclusion of this study reaffirms that students' writing difficulties are multidimensional and are more heavily influenced by affective dynamics than by mere technical proficiency. The implications of this research recommend the need for writing interventions that focus on the integrated strengthening of emotional aspects, critical thinking, and digital literacy in higher education.

Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References

Aminah, S., Muntazar, T., & Kahfi Aulia, M. (2025). Peningkatan Keterampilan Membaca dan Menulis dengan Teknik Pendekatan Kognitif Siswa Sekolah Menengah Pertama. 10(2), 515–531. https://doi.org/10.24235/ileal.v10i2.22059

Binnendyk, S., Patty, J., & Jamil, A. (2024). Self-Efficacy As a Predictor of Writing Performance: a Correlational Study of Indonesian Secondary School Students. J-Shelves of Indragiri (JSI), 6(2), 129–148. https://doi.org/10.61672/jsi.v6i2.2853

Bittle, K., & El-Gayar, O. (2025). Generative AI and Academic Integrity in Higher Education: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda. Information (Switzerland), 16. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/info16040296

Chen, O., Paas, F., & Sweller, J. (2023). A Cognitive Load Theory Approach to Defining and Measuring Task Complexity Through Element Interactivity. Educational Psychology Review, 35(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09782-w

Cheng, S., Lin, C., Wei, D., & Chen, Y. (2026). A longitudinal psychological model of writing development: interactions among self-efficacy, regulation, and anxiety. Frontiers in Psychology, 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1757045

Cintamulya, I., Mawartiningsih, L., & Warli, W. (2023). The Effect of Optimizing Digital and Information Literacy in Writing Scientific Articles on Students’ Critical Thinking Skills. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 15(2), 1987–1998. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v15i2.3062

Demir, S., & Uşak, M. (2025). Analyzing the Implementation of PLS-SEM in Educational Technology Research: A Review of the Past 10 Years. SAGE Open, 15(2), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251345950

Fan, C., & Wang, J. (2024). Configurational impact of self-regulated writing strategy, writing anxiety, and perceived writing difficulty on EFL writing performance: an fsQCA approach. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61537-x

Hair, J. A. A. (2022). Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. TESOL Journal, 1(1), 181–183. https://doi.org/10.5054/tj.2010.215611

Hair, J., & Alamer, A. (2022). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research: Guidelines using an applied example. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2022.100027

Haliq, A., Mahande, R. D., & Akhiruddin, A. (2025). Exploring the impact of critical thinking and digital literacy on students’ academic essay writing skills. Diksi, 33(2), 143–156. https://doi.org/10.21831/diksi.v33i2.88078

Hamdani, M. H., & Abid, N. (2025). Indonesian Efl Students’ Writing Challenges: a Qualitative Meta-Analysis. Getsempena English Education Journal, 12(1), 14–36. https://doi.org/10.46244/geej.v12i1.3091

Hamilton, L. G. (2024). Emotionally Based School Avoidance in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Neurodiversity, Agency and Belonging in School. Education Sciences, Vol. 14. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14020156

Hiver, P., Mercer, S., & Al-Hoorie, A. H. (2020). Student Engagement in the Language Classroom. Student Engagement in the Language Classroom, 1–300. https://doi.org/10.21832/HIVER3606

Khalifa, M., & Albadawy, M. (2024). Using artificial intelligence in academic writing and research: An essential productivity tool. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine Update, Vol. 5. Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpbup.2024.100145

Li, B. (2022). Research on correlation between English writing self-efficacy and psychological anxiety of college students. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.957664

Li, J., & Li, M. (2022). Assessing L2 writing in the digital age: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Second Language Writing, 57, 100913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2022.100913

Maharani, R., Hakiki, S. S., & Safitri, S. (2023). Students’ Problems in Writing Academic Article: A Case Study in Academic Writing Class. English Education: Jurnal Tadris Bahasa Inggris, 16(02), 3. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24042/ee-jtbi.v16i2.17434

McKinley, J., & Rose, H. (2020). The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (1). Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.

Nakrowi, Z. S., Winata, N. T., & Lumettu, A. (2025). Two Decades of Academic Writing Assessment in Higher Education: A Bibliometric and Technological Trend Analysis of Scopus (2000-2025). International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 24(10), 279–306. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.24.10.13

Nurkamto, J., Prihandoko, L. A., Primasita, F. A., Putro, N. H. P. S., & Purwati, O. (2024). A PLS-SEM analysis of the factors behind writer’s block of EFL university students. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 14(1), 50–63. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v14i1.70234

Nurkamto, J., Prihandoko, L. A., Putro, N. H. P. S., & Purwati, O. (2024). Academic Writing Apprehension in Higher Education: A Systematic Review. Studies in English Language and Education, 11(1), 247–266. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v11i1.28928

OECD. (2019). PISA 2018 Results (Volume I). OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/5f07c754-en

Oktarina, D. A., Hamdi, S., Wijaya, A., Zafrullah, Z., & Rashid, S. (2025). Research Trends on the Implementation of Digital Literacy in Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scopus Database. Indonesian Journal on Learning and Advanced Education (IJOLAE), 481–502. https://doi.org/10.23917/ijolae.v7i3.11087

O’Leary, J. A., & Steinkrauss, R. (2022). Syntactic and lexical complexity in L2 English academic writing: Development and competition. Ampersand, 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amper.2022.100096

Oto-Millera, N., Pellicer-Ortín, S., & Bustamante, J. C. (2025). Augmented Reality in English Language Acquisition Among Gifted Learners: A Systematic Scoping Review (2020–2025). Applied Sciences (Switzerland), Vol. 15. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111487

Ou, A. W., Khuder, B., Franzetti, S., & Negretti, R. (2024). Conceptualising and cultivating Critical GAI Literacy in doctoral academic writing. Journal of Second Language Writing, 66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2024.101156

Panadero, E. (2017). A review of self-regulated learning: Six models and four directions for research. Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 8. Frontiers Media S.A. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00422

Paramarti, P. F. A., Tusino, T., Widodo, S., & Masykuri, E. S. (2023). The Students’ Writing Anxiety at The Fourth Semester Students in Academic Writing Class. Edulitics (Education, Literature, and Linguistics) Journal, 8(1), 19–26. https://doi.org/10.52166/edulitics.v8i1.4099

Patty, J. (2024). Addressing Student Writing Challenges: A Review of Difficulties and Effective Strategies. 369–392.

Pertiwi, I., & Rodliyah, R. S. (2022). Original research article digital literacy in EFL learning: University students’ perspectives. JEES (Journal of English Educators Society), 7(2). https://doi.org/10.21070/jees.v7i2.1670

Pertiwi, U. G., Musthafa, B., & Gunawan, W. (2024). Captivating university students’ digital literacy competence: Learning from Photovoice. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 14(1), 157–172. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v14i1.70415

Ramadhan, R. A., Abdul Rahim, Darmanto, & Paris, A. S. (2024). Enhancing Academic Writing through Digital Tools: A Systematic Review. Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 4(4), 707–770. https://doi.org/10.36312/jolls.v4i4.2342

Samborska, V. (2024). Nearly half of teenagers globally cannot read with comprehension.

Song, C., & Song, Y. (2023). Enhancing academic writing skills and motivation: assessing the efficacy of ChatGPT in AI-assisted language learning for EFL students. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1260843

Song, Y., Sznajder, K., Bai, Q., Xu, Y., Dong, Y., & Yang, X. (2023). English as a foreign language writing anxiety and its relationship with self-esteem and mobile phone addiction among Chinese medical students—A structural equation model analysis. PLoS ONE, 18(4 April), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284335

Sweller, J. (2024). Cognitive load theory and individual differences. Learning and Individual Differences, 110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2024.102423

Taye, T., & Mengesha, M. (2024). Identifying and analyzing common English writing challenges among regular undergraduate students. Heliyon, 10(17). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36876

Teng, L. S., Sun, P. P., & Xu, L. (2018). Conceptualizing Writing Self-Efficacy in English as a Foreign Language Contexts: Scale Validation Through Structural Equation Modeling. TESOL Quarterly, 52(4), 911–942. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.432

Yuan, X., Rehman, S., Altalbe, A., Rehman, E., & Shahiman, M. A. (2024). Digital literacy as a catalyst for academic confidence: exploring the interplay between academic self-efficacy and academic procrastination among medical students. BMC Medical Education, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06329-7

Cover Image
Downloads
Published
2026-04-19
Data Availability Statement

The data that support this study are not publicly available due to [reasons e.g., privacy/ethical restrictions]. Data may be obtained from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Section
Articles
License

Copyright (c) 2026 Indonesian Language Education and Literature

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

An author who publishes in Indonesian Language Education and Literature agrees to the following terms:
  • The journal retains the copyright of the work and publishes it under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY), which permits others to share, adapt, and use the work with proper acknowledgment of the authorship and initial publication in this journal. 
  • The author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book) with the acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
  • The author is permitted and encouraged to post his/her work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of the published work.