# SteXMeC: A Student eXperience Evaluation Methodology with Cultural Aspects
## 2 Theoretical Background
### Evaluating Student eXperience  
Prior to the development of our evaluation methodology, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted to thoroughly explore the concept of the SX, its key dimensions, and the evaluation methods associated with it [12]. That review aimed to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the existing literature on SX and identify gaps that our research could address. Through this analysis, the definition of SX was further refined, highlighting its conceptual alignment with CX and UX and, by extension, its connection to the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with all of them inextricably linked to the field of computer science [20]. Given the increasingly globalized nature of higher education, where students from diverse cultural backgrounds interact with academic systems in foreign contexts, we recognized the necessity of incorporating a cultural perspective into the SX evaluation process. This recognition was based on the understanding that cultural factors play a pivotal role in shaping students' perceptions and experiences within higher education institutions. As such, we proposed integrating cultural dimensions into the SX evaluation methodology. By integrating cultural factors, evaluations can better capture diverse expectations, learning styles, and communication preferences, reducing biases inherent in standardized assessments. This approach promotes equity and relevance, ensuring that the insights derived reflect the true challenges and needs of all student groups. Additionally, applying an inter-sectional perspective enhances the effectiveness of institutional policies and interventions, fostering a more supportive and culturally responsive educational environment. Building on this idea, we developed a theoretical SX-Cultural model that aligns the SX dimensions with [PERSON]'s cultural dimensions, a well-established framework for understanding how culture influences behavior and perception in various settings, including educational environments [21]. Our model allows a more nuanced evaluation of the SX by factoring in cultural diversity. It enables a better understanding of how different student groups experience educational systems based on their cultural backgrounds. The development of the SX-Cultural model facilitates the creation of tailored educational solutions aimed at enhancing the SX for various student groups, particularly international students. For instance, this model could create heuristic sets specifically designed for university students, addressing their unique educational system challenges [22]. Additionally, the model could help develop cross-cultural design models, which focus on creating educational systems and interfaces that are responsive to the diverse cultural needs of students [23]. Our overarching and more ambitious proposal was the development of a holistic SX evaluation model that integrates cultural dimensions into every aspect of the SX evaluation. This approach ensures a more comprehensive assessment of student satisfaction and engagement as it takes into account both the intrinsic dimensions of SX and the extrinsic influence of cultural factors. The proposed evaluation methodology includes an evaluation scale as a diagnostic tool for assessing student perceptions [24]. The items on that evaluation scale align with the three core dimensions of SX and the six dimensions of national culture identified in [PERSON]'s model. This alignment ensures that the tool measures the fundamental aspects of SX and captures the cultural influences that may impact student perceptions and experiences. It is important to note that all of the methods included in the evaluation methodology, including the scale, are widely used in the field of UX and, by extension, in CX. Recent empirical work refines (but also challenges) the current understanding of multicultural SX. [PERSON] et al.