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UAMG 2004 Communications Research Method

Title:

LAU SIM SUANG 08AAB06338

A Study of Relationship between Internet Usage Motives and Gender among Student of UTAR Perak Campus, Malaysia.

Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to explore the gender differences in Internet accessibility, motives for use, and online activities among students in UTAR, Perak Campus, Malaysia. Finding revealed that the gap in gender differences with regard to Internet use has decreased in this generation. However, while females tended to view the internet more as a means of searching information and socializing with friends, and males tended to use it more for playing games and loading software.

Internet is the most recent form of major media in the world, and it has become the most important medium as perceived by both gender of students.

The study conducted by Awoloye- a spanish sholar, shows that the students in higher education in Nigeria use internet for one hour in a week, however; in developed countries like England the students use internet for 7.9 h in a week. From the view of gender variable, it is seen that boys use internet for daily routines more often than girls at a higher level.

The popularity of the internet among students raises many challenges to the academic community. Monitoring young adults- University students internet behavior is important, In part they may encounter undesirable content, such as pornography or online harassment. Additionally, many online games contain a large amount of violence content. Though the advantages provided by the internet are indispensable for modern life, its possible negative influences cannot be dismissed.

Introduction

Some studies have indicated that male tend to highlight the value of using internet as well as their proficiency, females tend to express more negative attitude towards computers and the internet (Durndell & Haag, 2002); (Kadijevich, 2000) The purpose of this study was to explore the gender differences in Internet accessibility, motives for use, and online activities in UTAR, Perak Campus, Malaysia.

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Problem statement
As the technology being so advanced in the society nowadays, internet has become so indispensible in our life. BUT! One students academic performance and productivity was deeply influenced by the usage of internet. Either in the good way, or the bad way, the effects is varied by the student motives of using internet, and how they choose their online activity.

Purpose of study
To explore the gender differences in Internet accessibility, motives for use, and online activities among student in UTAR, Perak Campus, Malaysia. To study and give a clearer picture of reason, preference and which gender of student tend to access the internet. To create self-conscious and awareness among student about the impact of addictive and excessive usage of the internet.

Scope of study
Focus on the young adults Students of UTAR Perak Campus. To highlight the characteristic of internet user in Kampar context- especially among UTAR student. Internet accessibility Internet activity Internet usage motives

Significance of study
Provide an explanation regarding the online activities and motives of using internet among UTAR student. Examine the validation of assumption that different internet usage motives will affect the student academic performance and productivity.

Research questions
1. What is student purposes and motives to use the internet? 2. Which gender, male or female are more often access the internet? 3. Doest the usage motives of the internet affecting the student academic performance and productivity? 4. Which kind of online activity carry high impact on student. 5. The effects is more obvious on which gender?

Literature review
The attitude of students towards Internet may affect their motivation and interest regarding Internet use and Internet learning. (Coffin and Macintyre, 1999: 549- 569). There is a relationship between the students' perceived self- efficacy and the type of Internet usage. There is a relationship between the attitude of students which is based on perceived usefulness and the type of Internet use. There is a relationship between the attitude of students which is based on perceived enjoyment and the type of Internet use. (Leila Dehghani, P. and Bibi Eshrar, Z. and Ahmad, A., 2011 )

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Males tended to consider the internet more as a toy, females tended to view it as a tool or as technology with which to accomplish a task. (Tsai ,C. and Lin, C., 2004) Regardless of the activities one pursues online, work, relationship, responsibilities, and even personal health and hygiene may be neglected by persons who are unable to control the amount of time spent in online activities . (Cindy, 2008)

Methodology
Using Qualitative method.
Using Questionnaire and Measurements technique. The question was set in multiple choice form. Subjects were requested to rate how much of the statements was similar with their own reasons for using internet Where 1 represented strongly disagree and 5 represented strongly agree 20 Set of Questionnaire will be distribute to UTAR student at pretest stage. The collected data will be analyst and transform into table and bar chart form / pie chart form.

Bibliography
Awoleye, O.M., Siyanbola, O.W., (2006). Examining the level of penetration and impact of internet usage amongst Undergraduates in Nigerian Universities a case study approach. Current Developments in Technology-Assisted Education 2006, Spain. Chien-Huang, L., Shu-Fen, Y. (2008). Adolescent Internet Usage In Taiwan: Exploring Gender Differences. Retrieved from ProQuest Social Science Journals. Cindy, B, F. (2008). Internet Gaming Addiction. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 42-47. Doi: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2007.10.006 Coffin, R. J., & Macintyre, P. D. (1999). Motivational influences on computer-related affective states. Computers in Human Behavior, 155,569549.

Durndell, A., & Haag, Z. (2002). Computer Self-efficacy, computer anxiety, attitudes towards the Internet and reported experience with the Internet by gender, in an East European sample. Computers in Human Behavior, 18, 521-535 . Khadijevich, D. (2000). Gender Differences in computer attitude among ninth-grade students. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 22, 145-154. Leila Dehghani, P., Bibi Eshrar, Z., Ahmad, A. (2011). Relation between Iranian students attitudes subscales with the kind of internet usage in universities. Retrieved from Science Direct: Journal of Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 15, 2694 2698. Tsai, C., Lin, C. (2004). Taiwanese adolescents perceptions and attitudes regarding the internet: Exploring gender differences. Adolesdcence, 39(156), 725-734.