A STUDY OF MEDIA PREFERENCE BETWEEN NEW AND

PRINT MEDIA AMONG UNILAG UNDERGRADUATES

BY:
OMOSULE, OLUWATOSIN MARY
110902120

BEING A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT

OF MASS COMMUNICATION, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES,
UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE,
(B.Sc. HONS) DEGREE IN MASS COMMUNICATION

NOVEMBER, 2015.

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this research project has not been submitted nor accepted in substance for
any degree, and is not being submitted concurrently for any other degree programme. The project
is the product of my intellectual investigation, written by me and not copied from any past
research work. I also declare that both published and unpublished materials directly used in this
research work are appropriately acknowledged.

NAME:

OMOSULE, OLUWATOSIN MARY.

SIGNED:

___________________________

DATE:

NOVEMBER, 2015.

CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that this project was written by OMOSULE, OLUWATOSIN MARY and has
been approved as having satisfied the requirement of the Department of Mass Communication,
Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, for the award of Bachelor of Science (B.sc.
Hons) Degree in Mass Communication.

___________________________
DR. TAYO POPOOLA
PROJECT SUPERVISOR

___________________________
DATE

___________________________
DR. ABIGAIL OGWEZZY-NDISIKA
AG.HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

___________________________
DATE

__________________________
EXTERNAL EXAMINER

___________________________
DATE

DEDICATION
This project is dedicated to Almighty God the Creator of Heaven and Earth, for preserving my
life and sustaining me through the course of this project and to my Parents Mr. And Mrs.
Omosule.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My utmost gratitude goes to almighty God for his Unflinching love and grace towards me
throughout my undergraduate programme at University of Lagosand for empowering me to
successfully complete this study.
My special thanks goes to Dr. Tayo Popoola, the best project supervisor one can ever wish for.
For your fatherly love, wise counsels, wholesome guardianship and thorough supervision
through the process of this research work and other spheres of my life.
Dr. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, you are a nature gem by default, a mother to all and a change
catalyst. Every insight shared with us from my first year to your resumption as Ag. H.O.D.
remains indelible and forever cherished, you are dearly esteemed ma.
My appreciation goes to Prof. Ralph A. Akinfeleye for your intellectual and sagely impartations
for every time shared during lectures and intellectual seminars held on campus.
Dr. Abayomi C. Daramola for your scholastic tutelage and inspiring words of encouragement.
Dr.Ifeoma Amobi for your simplistic approach in ensuring that, we understood the nitty-gritty of
online Journalism and Data Analysis respectively.
Dr. Charles Onwunali, your gentle and open disposition to entertain all our academically related
questions delivered us from making grave errors to the detriment of our academic excellence.
Dr. Soji Alabi, your cautious approach to your lectures will guide all graduates that passed
through you.
Dr. Ajibade Olubunmi, your meritorious efforts in ensuring we learnt meticulously the basics of
good writing and pronunciation skill awards you a respectable place in my heart.
Dr. Adepoju Tejumaiye, your humorous style of teaching made coming for lectures desirable and
relieving also your thought provoking assignments challenged us to expound our tentacles
beyond the four walls of the class.
Mr Teslim Lawal, my Industrial Attachment supervisor, I remain grateful to you.
Mrs. Adepate Mustapha-Koiki, my astute course adviser for three consecutive years, God bless
you for putting me through from committing some irreparable damage in the process of course
selections.
5

Mrs. Khadijat Aledeh, my final year course adviser, God will reward you abundantly for
identifying with us and pleading our case when we got on rough edges with lecturers.
To all our lecturers including: Dr. Oloruntola Sunday, Mr. Taiwo Akinyemi,Dr. Ismail Ibraheem
Dr. Fassy Yusuf, who ensured that we have judiciary experience by covering court proceedings, I
thank you all for your inspirational impacts on me.
To my Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Omosule for their relentless love, ceaseless prayer, care, sound
upbringing and financial support. It is my heartfelt desire that you will both live to reap the fruit
of your labour in sound health and prosperity. I dare not fail to recognise my siblings like no
other, my elder sister Omobolanle Omosule, my older brother Oluwasegun Omosule and my
youngest sibling Samuel Omosule for your unquantifiable help and cooperation in all respect,
cannot imagine growing up in your absence, you guys are just the best.
My sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Amori James, Shepherd in charge of Celestial Church of
Christ The throne of God Parish, for your consistent Spiritual intervention and wise counsels to
every bordering matter I ever tabled before you. It is my prayer that you will flourish in your
endeavours including your spiritual assignment. Your love to please God would not be frustrated
by the issues of life neither will you fall a prey into the enemies entrapment.
Mr. John Kenny Oyemade, you showed up to water down the drought of my worries when all
things appeared to be turning against me, your relentless effort to check up on ensuring my well
being in all regards will forever be cherished and I pray that you will never be in lack of any
need.
I also want to acknowledge the following persons: Mr. Omosule Olugbenga, Mr. Faruna Abu,
Mr. Moses, Mr. Opeyemi Babarinde, Mr. Ekerin Ayomide for your kind gestures and
benevolence towards the achievement of this feat.

ABSTRACT
It was the scope of this study to explore the media Preference between new (internet) and print
media amongst students (UNILAG Undergraduates). w readership audience and media utility to
help brace the gap that exists in the print media industry, due to the vast transformation of new
media technologies which, purposively sets the tone for this study as its aimed at determining the
time spent and kind of information sought most by students on their preferred media but
ultimately, identifying the factors that facilitates the media choice of the subjects understudy, in
which case when unraveled, answers the four research questions obtainable in this study.
The study deployed two (Technology determinism and Individual differences) theories relatable
to it and adopted the descriptive survey research design which was employed to derive responses
from a sample size of 203 undergraduate students of University of Lagos UNILAG who were
selected via random sampling techniques. Data were collected from this population using
questionnaire. Only 190 out of the total respondents completed and returned the questionnaire
correctly representing 93.6% response rate. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS)
was used to analyze the four research questions that guided the study.
The outcome of this study reveals that most students prefers new media to print media because
they serve as active channels for sending and receiving information like Newspapers. More so,
new media has proven according to respondents to be more resourceful, interactive, accessible
and affordable than the print media while it was discovered as a major factor that hinders
newspaper readership amongst students to be the free Wifi available in their halls of residence.
The study therefore recommends that; the print outfit operators should intensify their efforts at
humanize newspapers contents and outlook such that it attracts students fancy, the influx
opportunities on the new media should be sensibly maximized and the school managed in a bid
to aid newspaper readership amongst students should integrate into the academic curricular a
course attempting to evaluate students knowledge about trends in the Print industry.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page

Declaration

ii

Certification

iii

Dedication

iv

Acknowledgments

vi

Abstract

vii

Table of Contents

viii

CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Statement of the Problem

Objectives of the Study

Research Questions

Significance of the Study

Scope of the Study

10

Limitations

10

Definitions of Key Terms

10

References

11

CHAPTER TWO:

LITERATURE REVIEW

Conceptual Review

13

Theoretical Framework of the Study

21

Empirical Studies

24

References

26

CHAPTER THREE:

METHODOLOGY

Research Method

27
8

Population of Study

27

Sample Procedure

27

Sample size

28

Data Collection Instrument

28

Data Collection Procedure

29

Data Analysis Procedure

29

References

30

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSES AND PRESENTATION

Data Analysis and Presentation

31

Discussion of Findings

46

Research question 1

46

Research question 2

47

Research question 3

49

Research question 4

50

References

52

CHAPTER FIVE:

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary

53

Conclusion

54

Recommendations

55

Areas of Further Studies

56

Bibliography

57

Appendix

60

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
According to Ayotunde (2011:94), Technology and mass communication have always been in a
sort of competition. This is due to the fact that for every new form of technology that evolves,
the mass media has a way of incorporating it into mass communication practices. From Johann
Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in the 15th century, to an abundance of technological
advances in the fields of communication, printing, database and computing technology, before
finally arriving where mass communication has gotten to today. Various technologies have
created new forums and avenues for the mass communication field which keeps evolving on a
daily basis.
Ayotunde (2011:95) citing Berker et al posits that the mass media are all those media
technologies that are created to reach a large audience through mass communication. Broadcast
media (also known as electronic media) transmit their information electronically and comprises
of television, radio, film, movies, CDs, DVDs, and other devices such as cameras and video
consoles.
Alternatively, print media use a physical object as a means of sending their information, such as
a newspaper, magazines, comics, books, brochures, newsletters, leaflets, and pamphlets.
The organizations that control these technologies, such as television stations or publishing
companies, radio stations and even online stations are also known as the mass media or new
media. The importance and role of technology in the media process cannot be over emphasized
as since the evolution of technology, visible changes have been recorded in the success of the
media. A medium can come in various forms like print, broadcast or digital.
1

Hynes (2009:96) postulates the last decade has brought some important new technologies for the
mass media. In 1991, the first usable portable computers were developed. Around the same time,
"mobile" phones started to make their entry. In 1994, the internet became commercially
available. Within two years, "everybody" had heard about the internet, and after another two
years the number of available web sites had nine-doubled to more than 20 million different sites.
From being a tool for the American military and educational institutions, the Internet has become
a commodity service, freely available to anybody who wants to use it.
Mass communication is all about communication. Man lives to communicate and communicates
to live. Various communication channels have surfaced to make this communication function
possible. Mobile telephony and electronic mail were welcome additions to the array of
possibilities out of the various types of communication channel that came up as the new media.
The Internet as a whole, however, presented a whole new range of challenges for mass
communicators as they needed to keep up with the changing technologies.
Ayotundes (2011:94) research reflects that before the Internet, most communication has been
largely unidirectional as well as traditional in nature. Print media consists of Newspapers,
Magazines, and Books while Broadcast consist of Radio, Television. The new media which is in
form of Digital media consists of hard disk drives or computer networking which is a form of
electronic media where data is stored in digital form. It can refer to the technical aspect of
storage and transmission of information or to the "end product", such as digital video, augmented
reality, digital signage, and digital audio or digital art.
Print generally was invented in the 15th century noted Silverstone, Roger, Hirsch, Eric (Eds.)
(1992)and it created a major breakthrough in technology, which was the invention of the
2

movable type. It enabled people to produce and send messages faster than before. The two
important developments followed the invention of movable type. First, the use of the
papermaking machine in the eighteenth century made it possible to mass produce and cut paper
in specific sizes, reducing the cost of production. Second, the application of steam power to the
printing press, an alternative to human labour, made possible through mass production of printed
material. Sources of power, improved printing presses, and improved paper manufacturing
processes developed during the nineteenth century.
The history and growth of Radio can be linked to the intervention of the British Empire Service
from Daventry, England. In 1936, the first Radio Distribution Service (rediffussion) came into
Lagos, as a means of distributing programmes that originated from the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC). After some years, many people subscribed to these programmes and
rediffussion service became very popularly wanted in Nigeria. At a point the number of
rediffussion boxes that were available could not meet the demand for it by people in Nigeria. It
was from this stage that various regions started their own indigenous radio stations, starting from
the west in 1959, Eastern Region in 1960 and the Northern Region in 1962.
The history of Television in Nigeria followed the same pattern as that of the radio. Tracing the
history of the establishment of the first television station in Nigeria, Egbon (1982) writes that,
while it was the Federal Government that started the first radio broadcasting station in the nation,
the regional governments were the first to venture in T.V. broadcasting. It was on October 31,
1959 that the former Western Region produced and transmitted the first television signals in the
whole of Nigeria and Africa.

Umeh (1989) proffers the essence of news dissemination to a large audience (audience
readership) by print media is to inform, to interpret the news, to entertain, and to provide a
service to readers. This essence is dwindling in the print media sector today, as it was observed
by Ganiyu and Akinreti (2011:100) that there are at least 400 print titles of varying formats in
Nigeria, out of this number, 216 are newspapers, 63 magazines, 44 interest magazines, 16
vernacular publications and 16 religious publications. Ekeng quoted in Abdulraheem et al (2012)
noted that circulation decline is a global phenomenon as the newspaper industry in America,
Europe and even Asia is also affected. This, I believe he meant, is primarily due to the impact of
Internet, which guarantees quick news for free, revealing coupled with the 2010 national report
by the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), the daily sales figure of all the newspapers
was less than 300,000, meaning that only one in every 470 Nigerians buy newspapers daily as
the stockpile of unsold copies of newspapers and magazines presently in the circulation
departments of most print media organizations is a vivid sign of this challenge. The future of
Newspaper in Nigeria might go extinct in the nearest future unless the print media braced up to
the challenges posed by the new media.
Campbell et al (2009:78) noted that the Internet is facilitating the convergence of media forms,
the process whereby old and new media are available via the integration of personal computers
and high-speed satellite-based phone or cable links. These technology components according to
Egbokhare and Oliha (2013:89-90) are the most overwhelming given the ever expanding number
of technology offerings and alternatives.
Also with the advent of smart mobile phones emerging as multiple-use device for calls, e-mails,
Internet browsing, and GPS navigation, Ekuobase and Oliha (2013:102) noted that without the
usability factor in technological advancement towards our everyday activities, its just another
4

technical problem, and these transformational developments tend to leave very little for a
newspaper to do. Virtually all print media of Nigerian newspapers have been adapting
themselves to this new media age of online newspaper edition and mobile phone newspapers,
given the fact that a certain reader can communicate with a large network of audience.

In addition, is the fact that there are now thousands of Internet 'home pages' which serve as
information sources for institutions and organizations. Habib Laurence (2005:56) posits most
universities, polytechnics and colleges of education throughout the world have established their
presence on the Internet, thereby making it possible for researchers to access past and current
research publications. Prospective students can also access information on courses being offered
by Institutions and as well as their admission requirements. There are also numerous individual
home pages, where people construct a site either as a means of expressing their creativity or for a
very limited range of potential visitors. Akinfeleye (2011:64) highlights according to Prof.
Martin Irvine of Georgia university USA, the definition of the internet as " A 24-hour non-stop
global electronic form of communication, an online library and international communication
system, a business and corporate global communication medium, a distance and remote
education system, a multimedia and commercial delivery communication system for news and
entertainment and above all, working simultaneously as one of the dominant new electronic
media".

The World Wide Web also provides very easy access to some government documents and
legislative materials. Pierce J (2009:79) recounts Journals, magazines, newspapers, books and
archives provide another important avenue for the construction, publication and circulation of
Internet texts. Many classic literary and philosophical books are available for reading in
electronic form. The only costs that readers incur are the standard Internet connection fees and
hourly rates.
5

The proliferation of written materials through the Internet seems inevitable. Anyone with access
to the necessary hardware and appropriate software can now 'publish' their work. This is
obviously not possible in a print-dominated publishing environment. It is arguable that the
potential advantages of moving toward electronic publication for scholarly work far outweigh
any possible disadvantages associated with such a move.
Ayotunde (2011:102-106) quoting Berker et al (2006) points out the other phenomena that
skyrocketed viral access to the internet are Mobile phone devices. They have become an essential
part of daily life and a valuable means of information dissemination since its evolution in the late
1990s in Nigeria and in most developing countries. Several studies have found the use of mobile
phone among youth particularly students to be very important. In Nigeria, the emergence of
mobile phones with internet services has brought about a profound and diverse pool of
knowledge. However, it has also led, unintentionally though, to circumscribed students
commitment to serious academic work, negatively impacted their thinking processes,
communication and language skills.
Ownership of a mobile phone has social, economic, psychological and educational consequences
on students, as it usually influences their attitude and behaviour to academic activities. For
instance, Amobi and McAdams (2014:67) exposition on the integration of social media by
educators alongside traditional teaching method as a valuable tool to aid teaching in classrooms
also, enhancing students to be updated about their environmental happenings (news) as noted by
TayoPopoola (2011:30) that, the onerous responsibility of the media to educate, inform,
enlighten and entertain readers can be creditably performed by the factual information timely
disseminated by the media as collected from the society of which GSM was resolved to be the
fastest means of sending this factually gathered news to the news room and eventually,
6

propagation within the environment. His thesis is predicated on Popoola (2003:5) earlier
observation that Nigeria groped in darkness for four decades as a result of government failure to
accord communication any serious priority. He noted however, that things changed in 2001
following government deregulation of the telecommunication sub-sector which paved the way
for the entrance of operators of mobile phones otherwise called Global System of Mobile
Communication (GSM) in Nigeria and so, the GSM, today in Nigeria provides the platform for
the easiest, most convenient, cheapest and prompt dissemination of information on minute-byminute basis either through the bulk Short Message Service (SMS), text messages, internet
browsing besides its main purpose, phone calls. Some of the constraints posed by ownership of
mobile phones to effective learning include inattentiveness, disruption and distraction. Closely
associated to these is the use of mobile phones which causes noise and distraction during lecture
hours. Studies have shown that there is a relationship between students performance and
commitment to academics in lecture rooms as those who use mobile phone during lecture hours
are more likely to experience distraction, inattentiveness, and non-participation in academic class
work (Ling, 2005). The problem is that the use of mobile phones among students has become
habitual thus negatively impacting on conscious efforts required to achieve effective teaching
and learning.
The print medias newspapers on the other hand have exerted the greatest influence thus ensuring the
most up-to date information and readability by individuals with varying reading abilities as and when
they like. Adding to this fact, Mr. GbengaAdefaye, the Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers,
argued that the print media was evolving, that in spite of the influx of new technologies, it was still
regarded as one of the most trusted sources of information by many Nigerians.

The contention about the relevance of the new media over the print media within Academic terrain
with particular respect to undergraduate students as to which media is more consulted for information
regarding their academic or research pursuit and its influence on their reading habit sets the motion
for this study.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Every new media of mass communication is considered a threat to print media. For almost every new
technology that came into market, the same pursuit was continued that the print culture will die as
more and more people are engaged with new media particularly, the net generation students, who
have opened their eyes in the full bloom of electronic revolution. The researchers and scholars across
the globe like Van Der (2005) and Filistrucchi (2007) traced out the impact of Internet on newspapers
and arrived at a conclusion that students of this present generation are more engaged with the
electronic media from which arises combating questions as will the print culture survive? And will
the Net generation students prefer change? These questions sets the impetus for conducting this study
as the researcher seeks to explore the reasons for students preferring the new media to the print media
for garnering substantial information relevant for their research or academic pursuits.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study include the following:
i.

To identify students most preferred media for sourcing information.

ii.

To identify the factors responsible for students media preference.

iii.

To determine the time spent on consulting preferred media.

iv.

To determine the kind of information sought most by students on the preferred media.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
i.

Which media is mostly preferred for information by students?

ii.

What are the factors responsible for students media preference?

iii.

What is the amount of time students spend daily on consulting their preferred media?

iv.

What kind of information is sought most by students on their preferred media?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study seeks to avail students, scholars and researchers in the field of communication to
understand the peculiarities governing undergrads attention as pertain their most preferred media
for sourcing all kinds of information and the eventual cause and effect for their media choice
towards their academic pursuit.
The study is also relevant for Advertisers and Advertising agencies with youthful kind of
product,

to determine the most appropriate medium to bargain for the visibility of their

proposed product via review of each medium audience reach.

Findings from this research work, the researcher hopes, will supply satisfactory answers to
arising questions surrounding this topic or related ones in the event of technological
advancement pertaining students media preference for sourcing information from preceding
medium to the subsequent one.
More so, study compilation to students, will serve as a sure reservoir of knowledge through
which references/authorities can be sought, while scholars will use the study as a tool for
developing further researches in this area.

SCOPE OF STUDY
The research work is conducted to examine the reasons responsible for undergrads preference of
the new media to the print media as information source as expressly stated in its title. As a
comparative study that seeks to point out variables responsible for students preference of one
media over the other for sourcing all kinds of information. To avoid any form of complexities
that may arise in the collation of data that may consequently result in presenting incoherent facts
or erroneous submissions, the researcher understanding the conceptual expanse of New and print
media, thought it wise to limit its conceptual definitions as in New media to mean activities on
the internet while the print media is streamlined to Newspapers. Its already stated from the
research topic that the study to be conducted is restricted to University of Lagos undergraduates.
LIMITATIONS
Efforts at executing this study confronted challenges such as; inadequate funding, dysfunctional
implements (laptop crashing) and gaining study populationscooperation at attempting
administered questionnaires which constituted delay in the computation, compilation and
analysis of collected data.
DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
i.

Mass Media: technologies created to reach a large audience through mass

communication.

ii.

New media: synonymous with activities on the internet

iii.

Print media: refers to the newspapers.

iv.

Undergraduates: means students in pursuits of Bachelor degrees.

v.

Technology: implies the device in use for sourcing information.

vi.

Academic Terrain: school environment.

vii.

Net Generation: group of heavy internet explorers or users

10

REFERENCES
Abdulraheem, M.R. Adisa, M. & Abdulkadir, O.L. (2012). Information Technology Revolution
and the Future of Print Media in Nigeria: Usage Across Age Groups. Ilorin: Department
of Business Administration, University of Ilorin.
Akinfeleye, R.A. (2011). Essentials of Journalism: an introductory text. Lagos: Malthouse Press
Limited.
Amobi, I.T. & McAdams, M. (2014). Issues and techniques in multimedia and online journalism.
Lagos: Concept Publication Limited.
Livingstone, S.B.M. (2001). Children and their changing media environment: A European
comparative study. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Loan, F.A. (2009). Impact of new technology on reading habits: A glimpse on world literature
in: the role of school libraries in quality education. New Delhi: National Council of
Education Research and Training.
Majid, S. Tan, V. (2007). Understanding the reading habits of children in Singapore. Retrieved
from: http://joemls.tku.edu.tw/45/45-2/187-198.pdf(Accessed 25th July 2015).
McCarty, M.E. (2015). Mobile Phone Usage Among Nigerian University Students And Its
Impacts on Teaching and Learning. Global Journal of Art Humanities and Social
Sciences, 3(1), 29-38.
Oliha, F. & Arthur, S. (2014). A Study of News and Information Media Usage in Nigeria. Africa
Journal of Computing &ICTs, 7(1), 99-103.
Pew Internet and American Life Project (2003). Internet Activities. Retrieved from:
http://www.pewinternet.org/reports/chart.asp?img=Internet_A8.htm (Accessed 21st July
2015)
Pierce, J. (2009). Annual Internet survey by the center for the digital future finds large increases
in use of online newspapers. Retrieved from: www.digitalcenter.org/.../2008-DigitalFuture-Report-Final. (Accessed 10th May 2015)

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Pivec, F. (1998). Surfing through the Internet-the new content of teenagers spare time. ASLIB
Proceed, 50(4), 88-92.
Popoola, T. (2011). GSM as a tool for news reporting in Nigeria (2nded.). Lagos: Corporate
Lifters International.
Popoola, T. (2014). The traditional media versus New media. Lagos: Department of Mass
Communication, University of Lagos.
Udeh, G.B. (2014). Influence of social media on Newspaper readership among Mass
Communication students. Lagos: Department of Mass Communication, University of
Lagos.

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CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter, divided into three segments, discusses literatures relevant to this study. The first
part focuses on the conceptual review followed by the review of related theories in the second
segment while the third segment elaborates on the empirical studies.
Conceptual Review
Concepts to be reviewed in this part includes but not limited to; technology, mass media, new
media and print media respectively.
Technology:
In the narrowest sense,Kuwait(2012:95) posits, technology consists of manufactured objects like
tools (axes, arrowheads, and their modern equivalents) and containers (pots, water reservoirs,
buildings). Their purpose is either to enhance human capabilities (e.g., with a hammer you can
apply a stronger force to an object) or to enable humans to perform tasks they could not perform
otherwise (with a pot you can transport larger amounts of water; with your hands you cannot).
Engineers call such objects hardware. Anthropologists speak of artefacts. But technology
does not end there. Artefacts have to be produced. They have to be invented, designed, and
manufactured. This requires a larger system including hardware (such as machinery or a
manufacturing plant), factor inputs (labour, energy, raw materials, capital), and finally software
(know-how, human knowledge and skills). The latter, for which the French use the term
technique, represents the disembodied nature of technology, its knowledge base. Thus,
technology includes both what things are made and how things are made. Finally, knowledge, or
technique, is required not only for the production of artifacts, but also for their use. Knowledge is
needed to drive a car or use a bank account. Knowledge is needed both at the level of the
13

individual, in complex organizations, and at the level of society. A typewriter, without a user who
knows how to type, let alone how to read, is simply a useless, heavy piece of equipment.
Technological hardware varies in size and complexity, as does the soft- ware required to
produce and use hardware. The two are interrelated and require both tangible and intangible
settings in the form of spatial structures and social organizations. Institutions, including
governments, rms, and markets, and social norms and attitudes, are especially important in
determining how systems for producing and using artifacts emerge and function. They determine
how particular artifacts and combinations of artifacts originate, which ones are rejected or which
ones become successful, and, if successful, how quickly they are incorporated in the economy
and the society.
Mass media:
A medium is a means of communication such as print, radio, or television. Ruggiero (2000:45),
the mass media are defined as large-scale organizations which use one or more of these
technologies to communicate with large numbers of people (mass communications). Dependent
upon innovations in the electronics and chemicals industries, the period between 1860 and 1930
was a formative moment for the mass media. These years saw the development and introduction
of still photography, moving photography (cinema), cable telegraphy, wireless telegraphy, the
phonograph, the telephone, radio, and television. These new technologies formed part of the
wider transformation in popular culture during this period and typified the new more intensive
capitalization of the leisure industries and their associated concern to address mass audiences.
As defined by C. Wright Mills in The Power Elite (1956), the mass media have two important
sociological characteristics: first, very few people can communicate to a great number; and,
second, the audience has no effective way of answering back. Mass communication is by
14

definition a one-way process. Media organizations are bureaucratic and (except in societies
where all media are state-controlled) corporate in nature. Media output is regulated by
governments everywhere, but the restrictions vary from very light advisory regulation (for
example no cigarette advertising or nudity on TV), to the most comprehensive forms of
censorship in totalitarian societies.
Each mass media has its own content types, its own creative artists and technicians, and its own
business models. For example, the Internet includes web sites, blogs, podcasts, and various other
technologies built on top of the general distribution network. The sixth and seventh media,
internet and mobile, are often called collectively as digital media; and the fourth and fifth, radio
and TV, as broadcast media. Some argue that video games have developed into a distinct mass
form of media.
While a telephone is a two-way communication device, mass media refer to medium which can
communicate a message to a large group, often simultaneously. However, modern cell phones are
no longer a single-use device. Most cell phones are equipped with internet access and capable of
connecting to the web which itself is a mass medium. A question arises whether this makes cell
phones a mass medium or simply a device used to access a mass medium (the internet). There is
currently a system by which marketers and advertisers are able to tap into satellites, and
broadcast commercials and advertisements directly to cell phones, unsolicited by the phone's
user. This transmission of mass advertising to millions of people is a form of mass
communication.

15

New media:
New Media is a 21st Century catchall term used to define all that is related to the internet and the
interplay between technology, images and sound. In fact, Folarin (2005:12) says, the definition
of new media changes daily, and will continue to do so as new media evolve and morph
continuously. However, in order to understand an extremely complex and amorphous concept we
need a base line. Since Wikipedia has become one of the most popular storehouses of knowledge
in the new media age, it would be beneficial to begin there. Wikipedia defines New Media as
a broad term in media studies that emerged in the latter part of the 20th century. For example,
new media holds out a possibility of on-demand access to content anytime, anywhere, on any
digital device, as well as interactive user feedback, creative participation and community
formation around the media content. Another important promise of new media is the
"democratization" of the creation, publishing, distribution and consumption of media content.
What distinguishes new media from traditional media is the digitizing of content into bits.
Internet was introduced and BHOOOM! Instant connect and access to a world of information
became available. The world was no longer big. Access to communicate was instant and
immediate. The internet revolution happened in the 1990s. Today more than two billion people
use internet around the world. The highest number of users is in North America where 78.6% of
the population are internet users; Australia and Europe follow close by with 67% and 63%. The
internet revolution is ongoing with eight new people going online every second!
Apparently the Internet is likened to be the life wire of new media age that is, new media
becomes insignificant without the Internet. The term new media seems to escape its very
definition. Loosely, new media is a way of organizing a cloud of technology, skills, and
processes that change so quickly that it is impossible to fully define just what those tools and
16

processes are. For example, the cell phone in the late 1980s could be thought of as part of new
media, while today the term might only apply selectively to a certain type of phone with a given
system of applications, or even more commonly, the content of those apps. Part of the difficulty
in defining New Media is that there is an elusive quality to the idea of new. The very prospect
of being new denotes an event just beyond the horizon, something that has only just arrived and
which we are just beginning to get our hands on. Perhaps in searching for a suitable
characterization for this network of tools and ideas is the idea of limitless possibility. Limitless
possibility for communication, for innovation, and education is certainly a fundamental element
that shapes our conceptions of new media usage from now on.
Most technologies described as "new media" are digital, often having characteristics of being
manipulated, networkable, dense, compressible, and interactive. Some examples may be the
Internet, websites, computer multimedia, computer games, CD-ROMS, and DVDs. New media
does not include television programs, feature films, magazines, books, or paper-based
publications unless they contain technologies that enable digital interactivity.
Nevertheless, new media can be characterized by the variegated use of images, words, and
sounds. These networks of images, sounds, and text data are different from old media formats
such as hardcopy newspapers because of the nesting characteristic.
Nesting is a way of organizing the presentation of information according to subjects while
paying secondary attention to context. New media requires a non-linear interpretation, since
many sources are often oriented around the same subject-center, but are not always collated. In
essence, this means that one of the primary characteristics of new media is that it is freed from
the linear restrictions of older formats such as newspapers, books, and magazines.
17

So much of what defines new media is subtle, unrestricted, and not standardized. Perhaps the
potential of new media is a function of its intermediate development and our social, political, and
economic transition within and outside of it. Either way, it remains to be seen whether or not it
really is up to us to define the digital frontier. Regardless, new media and new media
communications is continually evolving and as a result, its definitions evolves as well.
Print Media
Literature on the concept print media abounds in many published books written by
communication scholars across the world. Ruggiero (2000:95-109) Simply put, print media
refers to publications that are distributed in a printed form on paper, such as newspapers, which
must be delivered to customers in physical form either through hand delivery or physical
purchase.It is one of the most common ways for people to stay informed about current events,
technology and other special interests.
Print media is extremely varied in terms of what sorts of topics are covered; normal newspapers
typically report relevant current events, but other periodicals may be printed purely for
entertainment or made for a specific interest, such as fashion, fitness or a certain sport. It is
relatively cheap and does not require access to technology, such as a computer, to use.
Periodicals and magazines are also extremely portable.
Print media hold informative, educative and entertaining contents that are of general or special
interest. They are published daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Their competitors include
electronic, broadcast and internet media. Today, many books, newspapers, magazines and
newsletters publish digital electronic editions on the internet.

18

Having given a simplistic definition of what the print media entails, it will be injustice to neglect
the evolution of the print industry from the world wide perspective then narrowing it to its
emergence in Nigeria. Onwards is the origin of the print media.
The significance of the invention of a process that allowed people to preserve thoughts and ideas
is incredible. The earliest form of printing was Woodblock printing. Earliest surviving
woodblock prints were found in China dating back to the 220 A.D. The oldest fragment found
was a woodblock print on silk depicting flowers in three different colors from the Han Dynasty.
Printing was revolutionized by a German blacksmith and publisher Johannes Gutenberg around
1450 when he invented the printing press which made printing much cheaper and faster meaning printed texts were now available to more people than ever before. At the time of the
invention only about 30% of European adults could read and write. Gutenbergs press made the
literacy levels raise to 47% by 1641. Historians say, the printing press was one of the key
factors in the explosion of the Renaissance movement. By the year 1500 printing shops had
spread all over Europe and had produced more than 8 million books.
In Nigeria, genesis of the printing profession can be traced to the 19th Century when the
Christian Missionaries led by Mr. Hope Waddel and Mr. Samuel Eagerly at Calabar, South East
of Nigeria established the Hope Waddel Press in 1846 for mass reproduction of religious tracts,
booklets etc. This spread to the Western part of the country with the establishment in 1854 by
Rev. Henry Townsend Press in Abeokuta. Consequently, the printing profession in Nigeria
continued to grow due to its viability, which accounted for well over 30 prints houses in 1930.
And by 1933, the Federal Government came in by establishing her own printing press.

19

Having noticed the viability of the printing business in Nigeria, foreigners (largely made up of
manufacturers of printing of equipment and consumables) started coming into the printing
business. They explored the great potentials available in the country by appointing local
representatives to sell, install and maintain printing machines. The first of such companies; RT
Briscoe was established in 1957 primarily to sell Heidelberg's range of printing equipment
manufacturer's representatives like Spicers Nig. Ltd., Monotype, WTN, Vitra, Civiletis,
Heptagon, IPP (Ferrostaal) etc. followed suit in later years.
With more distributors on board, the Nigeria Print and Graphics Industry witnessed an
unprecedented growth, which was also propelled by the oil boom of the seventies and the early
eighties, and then press houses started springing up in every nooks and crannies of Nigeria. But
before that time, print shops like Tika Tore Press, Handy press both in Lagos State and Ilesanmi
and Omolayo Presses in Osun State were noticed in the late sixties.
It should be noted that the printing operations at that time were manually done. Initially, printers
used to set types and put it on machines for printing; it eventually advanced to printing
equipment like an Arab, Golden Jobber, Jadimberg and Heidelberg's Platen (letterpress). This
made the printing profession of the 60s and 70s energy sapping and time consuming. But with
the oil boom noted earlier likewise the glaring development in the printing world, large and
sophisticated printing presses made inroad into the printing profession as print shops like
Academy, Smurfit, Star Paper Mill, NSPMC, Jerome Elaiho, Print Specialty, Heritage, Minaj,
Wordsmiths, Royal, Planet, Modern Design, Clear Impression, Tulip Regent etc were established
in subsequent years.

20

Theoretical Framework of the Study

Theoretical framework is the theoretical basis on which a research is built. It involves theories of
reference that guides the research and gives it focus and clarity. Kerlinger (1973) in Aneato et al
(2008:43) defines theory as a set of inter-related constructs, definitions and propositions that
give a systematic view about phenomena by specifying relationships between variables with the
purpose of explaining and predicting such phenomena. Baran (2002) in Aneato et al (2008:47)
further states that mass communication theories are explanations and predictions of social
phenomena that attempt to relate mass communication to various aspects of our personal and
cultural lives or social systems.
The theories employed are the technological determinism and Individual differences Theories.
Technological Determinism
According to Chandler D (2011:23), Technological determinism theory states that media
technology shapes how individuals in a society think, feel, act and how the society operates as
we move from one technological age to another (Tribal- Literate- Print - Electronic). It was
propounded by Marshall Mcluhan in 1962. The theory has various assumptions which he broke
down into individual interpretations, Metatheoretical assumptions which cover ontological
assumptions, epistemological assumptions and axiological assumptions.
The theory postulates that in individual interpretations we learn, feel and think the way we do
because of the messages we receive through the current technology that is available. The radio
required us to only listen and develop our sense of hearing. On the other hand, television engages
both our hearing and visual senses. We then transfer those developed senses into our everyday
lives and we want to use them again. The medium is then our message. This to an extent seems
to be closely related to the agenda setting theory which describes the ability (of the media) to
21

influence the salience of topics on the public agenda. That is, if a news item is covered frequently
and prominently the audience will regard the issue as more important. The innovations that affect
the media especially in the area of online technology have to a large extent influenced some of
the notable changes in the society. The types of phones that were used to communicate back then
are now advanced and has been a major tool used to influence the way communication is done
this days. Taking a look at some other assumptions of the theory sheds more light on the role the
changes in technology has on the media as well as its consumers.
Ontological Assumptions:
Humans do not have much free will at all. Whatever society as a whole is using to communicate,
they too will use to communicate. Therefore they will adapt to the medium they are using so that
they can send and receive messages like everyone else.
Epistemological Assumptions:
We know that there is one truth by observing what has happened over time. As the medium
changes so does society's way of communicating. People can only use the medium for which it
was created (phone for talking over lines or electronic mail for talking via computer). If the
medium is impersonal (television) then the message too is impersonal.
Axiological Assumptions:
This theory is objective in that everyone will act and feel the same no matter what the medium
they are using provided that they are using the same medium. Values are not involved because
evidence is seen strictly through observation. The assumptions of the theory to a large extent has
great influence on the society however some critics have identified certain faults with the theory,
they are highlighted below:
22

Explanatory Power: It explains when new systems of technology are developed, the
culture or society is immediately changed to reflect the senses needed to use the
new

technology.

Predictive Power: It predicts that with every new system of media technology, society
will change and adapt to that technology.

Parsimony: There is a simple cause and effect analysis between the introduction of new
technology and the changes in society's way of thinking, feeling, acting, or
believing.

Falsifiability: The theory could be proved false if a new technology is invented and
nothing changes.

Internal Consistency: There is a logical flow of proof evidenced over time.

Heuristic Provocativeness: Would this theory only work in the USA or would it vary
culture to culture within or outside the United States? Does it vary in the
electronic age between those who can afford the new technology and those who cannot?

Organizing Power: We know that we have developed and we know that we have
changed. This theory provides a way to see why this has happened. Taking a lot
at the criticism of these theory it is safe to assume that as much as the changing
technology

affects the various mass media it is not a sole requirement to changing the

way humans think, feel or act, there are other factors that could also influence the way
people behave the way they do.

23

Individual Differences Theory

Another theory that supports the research is the individual differences theory. Individual
differences theory, propounded by Melvin De Fleur in 1970 seeks to explain how that, members
of the mass media audience are made up of different people in terms of psychographic
characteristics and will react to the same media messages in different ways.
It posits that, Individual differ in their personal psychological makeup and so, their attitudes
values and beliefs are often learnt through experiences resulting in differences in perception and
cognition. Therefore, the psychological processes of Selective Perception, selective exposure,
selective attention and selective retention help an individual decide what to pay attention to, what
he sees or perceives from that which he attends to. In other words, differences in individual will
make them react differently to mass media messages.

Empirical Studies
In their research work titled A study of news and information media usage in Nigeria
F.Oliha& S. Arthur (2014)which was carried out to evaluate the medium for news and
information dissemination using ICT Based Media and Print Media with usage factors (such as
affordability, urgency or immediacy, availability, reliability, interactivity etc.) that influence
audience readership in Nigeria. Using a survey approach, they were able to establish the fact that
the print media is dwindling and concluded that more than being preferred, the ICT based media
with the advent of the internet has made the news or information media industries the most
preferable and more of a social life that the readership audience have adopted as an opportunity
to globally sought after news in diverse media, an advantageous factor that has paved the
audience to ICT based from print media as a usable source of information or news dissemination
in Nigeria.
24

Similarly as presented in their research "The Use of Social Networking Sites among the
Undergraduate Students of University of Nigeria, Nsukka compiled by Eke, Omekwu, H.E.
Obiora, C.&Odoh, J.N. (2014:34) the benefits and ills of social networking sites being the most
patronized by students on the new media forum. Quoting Gross(2004) he noted students use
social networking sites not only for leisure and personal socialization but also as a platform for
more meaningful and serious deliberations, and students are using social networking for making
friends, sharing links, online learning, finding jobs to accomplish their economic, educational,
political and social being. Identified as the dangers associated with social networking sites
were; E-crime, Internet addiction, laziness, standard crime like, fraud, murder, kidnapping;
Immoral act like, pornography, prostitution, cyber-bullying e.t.c.

25

REFERENCES
Anaeto, S.G. Onabajo, O.S. & Osifeso, J.B. (2008). Models and Theories of Communication.
Maryland: African Renaissance Books Incorporated.
Chandler, D. (2011). Technological determinism: references and related reading. Ceredigion:
Aberystwyth university-home.
Folarin, B. (2005). Theories of mass communication; an introductory text. Abeokuta: Link
publications.
Oliha, F. & Arthur, S. (2014). A Study of News and Information Media Usage in Nigeria. Africa
Journal of Computing & ICTs, 7(1), 99-103.
Ruggiero, T.E (2000). Mass communication and society. Texas: Tom Ruggiero.
Udeh, G.B. (2014). Influence of social media on Newspaper readership among Mass
Communication students. Lagos: Department of Mass Communication, University of
Lagos.

26

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
This chapter is entitled methodology because it deals mainly with the data gathering approach of
the study which is done under seven headings namely; Research method, Population of study,
Population size, Research instrument, Data analysis approach and Limitation then, Validity and
Reliability. Basically, this chapter serves as a prelude to chapter four (Results and Discussions)
and so, to this end, this study will be adopting the Survey method.
Research Method
This study seeks to investigate "New media as a threat to the Print media with respects to
identifying undergraduate Students Media preference" therefore, the Survey Research design
appears appropriate to adopt as the major tool of data gathering.
Adepoju J.T. (2003:58) proposed survey method according to Sobowale (1983) as the commonly
used research method by behavioural scientists. Basha& Harter (1980:45) defines Survey method
as a non-experimental, descriptive research method used to collect phenomena that cannot be
directly observed such as opinions on library services, the influence of social media on students
academic performances, newspaper readership amongst youth e.t.c.
Population of Study
The population of this study are all the students running undergraduate programmes in the
University of Lagos whose estimation is 25,175. Source: Academic Planning unit, UNILAG.
Sample Procedure
The sampling unit of this study is the University of Lagos students, and the probability sample
method is going to be used to evaluate their newspaper readership habits. The simple random
27

sampling will be ideal for this study because it gives every subject in the population an equal
chance of participation.
Sample Size
A sample size of 200 copies of questionnaire was distributed through a simple random sampling.
The sampling was done by listing all the faculties of the University of Lagos. Each faculty was
written in pieces of paper, rolled and kept inside a container. The container was shaken, and four
faculties were randomly selected from the container in succession without replacement.
Then two departments were randomly selected from each of the randomly selected faculties by
adopting the same listing method without replacement. This means that copies of questionnaire
was administered in eight departments under four faculties.
The students were further broken down into levels through a simple random sampling. All levels
were listed and the same method of sampling used above was used to select a particular level to
administer the questionnaire to.
Data Collection Instrument
questionnaire is the main research instrument of this study, for it is a set of carefully designed
question given in exactly the same form to a group of people in order to collect data about some
topics which the researcher is interested, Sometimes, confusion arises in the use and meaning of
questionnaire for instance, some researchers reserves this term for self-administered or postal
questionnaires while others will include, interview schedules (personally administered face-toface),
The questionnaire is designed under the survey analytical method and will be structured by the
researcher such that, it will reflect salient and relevant questions that can elicit reactions (data)
28

for analyses. The questionnaire, which will be self-administered by the researcher comprised
questions on students demographics and questions able to generate adequate data for analysis.
Data Collection Procedure
As a result of the limitations of time and resources, 203 copies of questionnaire were used in the
study. A number of 50 copies of questionnaire were administered in each of the four faculties
chosen. A further division of the 50 copies of questionnaire had 25 copies of questionnaire going
to each of the two departments chosen under each faculty.
Data Analysis Procedure
The data gathered from this study was analysed and interpreted using the Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS). Tables were employed to effectively describe the data gathered.

29

REFERENCES
Adepoju, J.T. (2003). Mass communication Research: An introduction. Lagos: Dapson
International Nigeria Limited.
Clamp, C.G. & land, L. (2004). Resources for nursing research (4thed.). New York: Sage group.
Dale, D. (2006). Population sampling methods for research studies: definitions and uses.
Retrieved from: http://voices.yahoo,com/population-sampling-methods-research-stydiesdefinitions-32308.html.(accessed 25th July, 2015)
Udeh, G.B. (2014). Influence of social media on Newspaper readership among Mass
Communication students Lagos: Department of Mass Communication, University of
Lagos.
University of Lagos, (2013). Pocket statistics. Lagos: Academic Planning Unit.
University of Lagos, Akoka. http://www.unilag.edu.ng/Acada-faculties.php?page=faculties

30

CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSES AND PRESENTATION
In this chapter the data collected were presented analyzed and discussed. Out of 203 copies of
questionnaire distributed on respondents, 190 of them were carefully filled and returned at the
stipulated time thus, amounting it to 93.6% which the researcher believes is adequate to give
unbiased data needed for the study.

Data Analysis and Presentation

The following are the analyses and presentation of the data derived from respondents through
questionnaire.
Return Table
Questionnaire
Returned
Not returned
Total

Frequency
190
13
203

Percentage
93.6%
6.4%
100

The above table shows that a total number of 203 copies of questionnaire were administered to
respondents, 190(93.6%) were returned and 13(6.4%) were not returned.
SECTION A- Respondents personal Data
Table 1
Distribution of respondents by gender
Responses Frequency
Percentage
Male
Female
Total

100
90
190

52.6
47.4
100.0

The above table shows the gender distribution of respondents. With the result represented, it
showsthat90(47.4%)werefemaleswhile100(52.6%)were males. This implies that
majority of the respondents were male.
31

Table.2
Distribution of respondents by Age
Responses
Frequency
16-22
100
23-27
72
28
and
18
above
Total
190

Percentage
52.6
37.9
9.5
100.0

The above table shows that 100(52.6%) of the respondents were between the age range of 16-22
years, 72(37.9%) were between 23-27 years and only 18(9.5%) indicated 28 and above years.
Apparently, represented data reveals the leading populace of respondents falls within the 16-22
category.
Table 3
Distribution of respondents by Faculty
Responses
sciences
engineering
Law
social sciences
business administration
Arts
environmental sciences
education
Total

Frequency
25
25
25
24
26
12
27
26

Percentage
13.2
13.2
13.2
12.6
13.7
6.3
14.2
13.7

190

100.0

the above table shows that an equivalent amount of the respondents 25(13.2%) were from the
faculties of Science, Engineering and Law also an equivalence of 26(13.7%) respondents
indicated they were from Business Administration and Education faculty while 24(11.8%) were
from Faculty of Social Sciences, 12(5.9%) from Faculty of Art and 27(14.2%) were from Faculty
of Environmental Science which clearly ranked as the dominant faculty from which respondents
were randomly selected and Art being the least faculty.
Table 4
32

Respondents Table on the readership and purchase of Newspaper

Responses
Yes
No
Total

Frequency
114
76
190

Percentage
60.0
40.0
100.0

The above table reflects about 114(60%) of the respondent read and buy newspapersas against
the 76(40%) that do not buy and read newspaper which implies that more of the respondents
actually buy and read newspapers.
Table 5
Respondents Table on the frequency at which they buy and read newspaper.
Responses
Never
almost never
Rarely
Sometimes
very often
Total

Frequency
22
27
43
60
38
190

Percentage
11.6
14.2
22.6
31.6
20.0
100.0

The above table reveals 38(20%) of the respondents read and buy newspapers very often,
60(31.6%) sometimes buys and read them, 43(22.6%) rarely buys and read them, 27(14.2%)
almost never buy and read them and 22(11.6%) never buys nor read them. nonetheless, a large
number 43(22.6) as represented on the data displayed subscribed to sometimes reading and
buying the newspaper.
Table 6
Respondents Table on the mostly read aspect of the Newspaper.
Responses
Sports
medicine/health

Frequency Percentage
59
31.1
17
8.9
33

business/commerce 15
science/tech
16
entertainment/fashio
56
n
Politics
27
Total
190

7.9
8.4
29.5
14.2
100.0

The data represented above shows 59(31.1%) of the respondents prefer sports segment of the
newspaper, 17(8.9%) read more of the medicine/health column, 15(7.9%) prefers the
commerce/business aspect, 16(8.4%) do read science/tech pages more. while 56(29.5%) dwells
more on the fashion/entertainment section, 27(14.2%) sticks more to politics segment. The
researcher during computation observed that, the slight variation between the most dominant
(sports) and the next dominant (entertainment/fashion) segment is in consonance with the gender
distribution above thus, reflecting respondents preferences as gender based that is, while the
former agrees with the male folks, the latter aligns with the female folks.
Table 7
Respondents Table on why they read Newspaper.
Responses
personal

Frequency

107
development
academic purpose
63
professional purpose 20
Total
190

Percentage
56.3
33.2
10.5
100.0

The table above affirms respondents purpose of reading the newspaper. While 107(56.3%)
attested to reading the newspaper for their personal development, 63(33.2%) reads newspaper
more for academic purpose, a meagre of 20(10.5%) reads newspapers solely for professional

34

purpose thereby indicating majority(56.3%) of the respondents reads newspaper purposely for
their personal development.
Table 8
Respondents Table on the amount spent weekly to purchase Newspaper
Responses
less than 500
above 500
Total

Frequency
163
27
190

Percentage
85.8
14.2
100.0

The data represented above confirms that while 163(85.8%) of the respondents spend less than
$500 weekly to buy newspapers, only 27(14.2%) spend above $500 to buy newspaper weekly.

Table 9
Respondents Table on the hours spent weekly on reading the Newspaper
Responses
less than an hour
2-5hrs
6-10hrs
Total

Frequency
125
55
10
190

Percentage
65.8
28.9
5.3
100.0

The above table shows 125(65.8%) of the respondents spend less than an hour weekly on reading
the newspaper, 55(28.9%) spend the range of 2-5hours weekly on the newspaper, and barely
10(5.3%) spend 6-10hours on reading weekly the newspaper. in which case means, majority
(65.8%) of the respondents spend less than an hour weekly on reading the newspaper.

Table 10
35

Respondents Table on the kind of device used

Responses
Phone
Tablet
Laptop
Total

Frequency
135
38
17
190

Percentage
71.1
20.0
8.9
100.0

The table above shows the disparity in the networking devices respondents use. While
135(71.1%) of the respondents use phone device, 38(20.0%) use tablets, just 17(8.9%) of them
use the laptop which implies that, majority (71.1%) of the respondents prefers the use of phone
than other devices.
Table 11
Respondents Table on the internet enablement of their gadget.
Responses
Yes
No
Total

Frequency
179
11
190

Percentage
94.2
5.8
100.0

The above table reflects 179(88.2%) of the respondents uses internet enabled device as against
the 11(5.8%) whose device are not internet enabled. In essence, majority(88.2%) of respondents
networking device are internet inclined.

Table 12
Respondents Table on how often they access the internet with their device.
Responses
Rarely
sometimes
very often
Total

Frequency
11
42
137
190

Percentage
5.8
22.1
72.1
100.0

36

The above table discloses 137(72.1%) respondents very often times access the internet with their
device, 42(22.1%) sometimes access the internet and only 11(5.8%) rarely access the internet.
this means most respondents frequently access the internet with their device. unlike the
newspaper medium that recorded persons who never or almost never read and buy it, every
respondent did have access to the internet at varying times

Table 13
Respondents Table on how respondent connect to the internet
Responses
Frequency
hostel wireless
76
Modems
37
mobile
network
77
subscription
Total
190

Percentage
40.0
19.5
40.5
100.0

The above table shows the different means by which respondents connect to the internet. While
77(40.5%) of the respondents connect to the internet via mobile network subscription, 37(19.5%)
connects through modems and 76(40.0) connect to the internet using hostel wireless of which
interprets that, although mobile network subscription users appear to be the majority (40.5),
many also connect using their hostel wireless as evidenced in the slight difference(0.5) between
mobile network and hostel wireless users.
Table 14
Respondents Table on the hours spend weekly on surfing the internet.
Responses
less than an hour
2-5hrs
6-10hrs
above 10hrs
Total

Frequency
1
24
58
107
190

Percentage
0.5
12.6
30.5
56.3
100.0

37

The data represented above reveals 107(56.3%) of the respondents spend above 10 hours weekly
on the internet, 58(30.5%) spend 6-10hours, 24(12.6%) spend 2-5hours, just 1(0.5) person
indicated she spends less than an hour surfing the internet weekly. It therefore means a whooping
sum of the respondents spent much hours surfing the internet weekly compared to its antecedent
medium(newspapers).
Table 15
Respondents Table on the amount spent weekly to access the internet.
Responses
less than 500
above 500
Total

Frequency
74
116
190

Percentage
38.9
61.1
100.0

The data represented above confirms that while 74(38.9%) of the respondents spend less than
$500 weekly to access the internet, 116(61.1%) spend above $500 to access the internet weekly.
This information is inversed to that of the newspaper medium where more respondent spends
less than $500 to obtain and read it.
Table 16
Respondents Table on the site frequently accessed.
Responses
Frequency
Socialnetworking sites 97
business sites
19
Blogs
29
social
video/photo
45
sharing site
Total
190

Percentage
51.1
10.0
15.3
23.7
100.0

The table above reveals the site frequently accessed by respondents. while 97(51.1%) of the
respondents frequently access social networking sites e.g.facebook, whatsapp, twitter e.t.c,
19(10.0%) visit business sites regularly, 29(15.3%) access Blog sites often, 45(23.7%) indicated
social video/photo sharing sites e.g you tube and Instagram as their frequently accessed site. The
data above clearly shows that majority of the respondents (51.1%) frequently access the social
networking sites.
38

Table 17
Respondents Table on the internet media consuming their time more than the newspaper.
Responses

Frequency

Percentage

strongly disagree

3.2

Disagree
Undecided
Agree
strongly agree
Total

10
13
77
84
190

5.3
6.8
40.5
44.2
100.0

The above table shows 84(41.4%) of the respondents strongly agree to the internet consuming
their time more than the newspaper and 77(37.9%) agree to the same motionwhile 13(6.8%)
remain undecided, 10(5.3%) disagrees and 6(3.2%) strongly disagrees withthe notion.

Table 18
Respondents Table on Information made more available on the internet than the
newspaper.
Responses
Undecided
Agree
strongly agree
Total

Frequency Percentage
4
2.1
37
19.5
149
78.4
190
100.0

The above table shows 149(73.4%) of the respondents strongly agree to the internet making
information available in quick and easy manner than the newspaper while 37(19.5%) agree to the
same opinion, only 4(2.0%) were undecided as to which media makes information more

39

available. Notably, none of the respondents neither disagreed nor strongly disagreed with the
notion.

Table 19
Respondents Table on the internet improving their learning on various courses of study
than the newspaper.
Responses
Undecided
Agree
strongly agree
Total

Frequency
39
37
114
190

Percentage
20.5
19.5
60.0
100.0

The represented data above discloses 114(56.2%) of the respondents strongly agree with the
internet improving their learning on various courses of study than the newspaper. While
37(19.5%) concurs with the notion, 39(20.5%) simply claim to be undecided of the notion.
nonetheless; no respondent disagreed nor strongly disagreed with the notion.

Table 20
Respondents Table on reading the newspaper fostering their vocabulary better than
surfing the internet.
Responses

Frequency

Percentage
40

strongly
disagree
Disagree
Undecided
Agree
strongly agree
Total

24

12.6

34
29
31
72
190

17.9
15.3
16.3
37.9
100.0

The table above confirms 72(35.5%) of the respondents strongly agree to newspaper medium
fostering their vocabulary better than surfing the internet, 31(16.3%) agrees. While 29(15.3%)
are undecided, 34(17.9%) disagrees and 24(12.6%) strongly disagrees.

Table 21
Respondents Table on the internet enhancing interactivity better than the newspaper .
Responses
undecided
Agree
strongly agree
Total

Frequency
24
64
102
190

Percentage
12.6
33.7
53.7
100.0

The table above attests 102(53.7%) of the respondents strongly agree to the Internet medium
enhancing interactivity better than the Newspaper, 64(33.7%) agrees. While 24(11.8%) were
undecided, none of the respondents neither disagreed nor strongly disagreed to the notion.
Table 22
Respondents Table on the Newspaper disseminating credible and accurate information
better than the Internet.
Responses
strongly
disagree
Disagree
undecided
Agree

Frequency

Percentage

10

5.3

33
67
28

17.4
35.3
14.7
41

strongly agree
Total

52
190

27.4
100.0

The above data represents 52(27.4%) of the respondents strongly agree that the newspaper
disseminate accurate and credible news than the internet, 28(14.7%) agrees. while 67(35.3%)
were undecided, 33(17.4%) disagreed with the notion thus presenting the notion to be debatable
as majority of the respondents(35.3%) stands undecided on which medium to support for the
various reasons best known to them.
Table 23
Respondents Table on easy accessibility to the internet than the Newspaper.
Responses
undecided
Agree
strongly agree
Total

Frequency
21
56
113
190

Percentage
11.1
29.5
59.5
100.0

The table above attests 113(59.5%) of the respondents strongly agree on the easy accessibility to
the Internet medium than the Newspaper, 56(29.5%) agrees. While 21(11.1%) were undecided,
none of the respondents neither disagreed nor strongly disagreed to the notion.

Table 24
Respondents Table on the affordability of the Newspaper than the internet .
Responses
strongly
disagree
Disagree
undecided
Agree
strongly agree
Total

Frequency

Percentage

27

14.2

32
35
50
46
190

16.8
18.4
26.3
24.2
100.0

42

The above data represents 46(24.2%) of the respondents strongly agree that the newspaper is
more affordable than the internet, 50(26.3%) agrees. While 35(18.4%) were undecided,
32(16.8%) disagreed and 27(14.2%) strongly disagreed with the notion.

Table 25
Respondents Table on how surfing the Internet improves their academics better the
reading the Newspaper.
Responses
strongly
disagree
Disagree
undecided
Agree
strongly agree
Total

Frequency

Percentage

10

5.3

36
16
46
82
190

18.9
8.4
24.2
43.2
100.0

The table above confirms 82(43.2%) of the respondents strongly agree to internet medium
improving their academics better than reading the newspaper, 40(24.2%) agrees. While
16(8.4%) were undecided, 36(18.9%) disagreed and 10(5.3%) strongly disagreed.

Table 26
Respondents Table on how reading the Newspaper improves their reading culture better
than surfing the Internet.
Responses
strongly
disagree
Disagree
undecided
Agree
strongly agree
Total

Frequency

Percentage

19

10.0

42
24
46
59
190

22.1
12.6
24.2
31.1
100.0
43

The table above attests 59(29.1%) of the respondents strongly agree that reading the newspaper
medium improves their reading culture better than surfing the internet, 46(24.2%) agrees. While
24(12.6%) were undecided, 42(22.1%) disagreed and 19(10.0%) strongly disagreed.

44

Discussion of Findings
The research findings show that most students prefer the new media particularly, the social
networking sites as their source to all kinds of information than the print media.
It's no gainsaying that new media has engulfed the space of human (youths) endeavours, the use
of new media is evidenced in practically all facet of human existence or transactions, especially
as its the information craving generation, new media is become so integrated in so much that it
appears inseparatable from the equation of human (youth) affairs. Below therefore, are the
findings discussed in response to the outlined research questions;
RESEARCH QUESTION 1
Which media is mostly consulted for information by students?
In answering the question above, tables 5, 8, 12, 15, 17 articulately gave an insight into
identifying the media that is mostly consulted by students.
Based on the findings on the data collected from table 5, while 31.6% being the majority of the
respondents indicated that, they sometimes read and buy newspaper, counter data extracted from
table 12 reflects 67.5% of the respondents access the internet with their device(s) very often
thereby, validating new media as the media mostly consulted by students.
supporting the thesis established above of the new media being students most consulted media ,
the data represented in table 8 indicates that majority (85.8%) of the respondents spends less than
#500 weekly to get newspapers while most (57.1%) respondents according to table 15 spends
above #500 weekly to access the new media(internet) which clearly shows their preference of the
new media to the print media after all, our ability to spend more on one item at the expense of
the other reflects our preference of that item to the other.

45

Furthermore, the established thesis was exclusively confirmed based on the data represented on
table 17 as 44.2% respondents being the majority coupled with 40.5% who agrees with this claim
out rightly attest to the new media consuming their time more than the print media.
Apparently the above analyzed tables justify new media as respondents (students) most consulted
media for information.
RESEARCH QUESTION 2
What are the factors responsible for students media preference?
According to the study carried out by F.Oliha& S. Arthur (2014:94) to evaluate the medium for
news and information dissemination using ICT Based Media and Print Media, it was observed
that factors such as affordability, urgency or immediacy, availability, reliability, interactivity
tremendously influenced audience preference of ICT based media to print media.
Aligning with the above findings on the factors responsible for influencing audience media
preference for information dissemination in Nigeria, the researcher finds it rather coincidental
that these factors but for some slight exceptions were also responsible for University of Lagos
undergrads preferring newmedia(internet) to the print media. This is evidenced by the tables
dissected below.
Foremost, it was observed that 94.2% of the respondents as revealed on table 11 use internet
enabled phone thus increasing their tendency to access the internet more.
Based on the data presented in table 13, although most (40.5%) respondents claimto access the
internet via mobile network subscription, 0.5% less than the majority indicated they access the
internet using their Hostel wireless therefore, it can be deduced that the inbuilt wireless within

46

students hall of residents which facilitates students use of the internet can be classified as one of
the factors responsible for students media preference.
More so, data represented on table 18, discloses 78.4% of the respondents strongly agrees with
the internet making information available in a quick and easy manner than the newspapers thus,
outlining Speed (Availability) as another factor responsible for their media preference.
While data collected in table 19 shows 60.0% of the respondents strongly agree with the internet
improving their learning on various courses of study than the newspaper which by implication
means students prefer the new media to the print media because of its versatility, Table 21
identifies another factor responsible for students media preference to be Interactivity as majority
(53.7%) of the respondents indicated they strongly agree that the internet enhances interactivity
than the Newspaper.
Accessibility was also delineated to be a factor as confirmed by respondents data represented on
table 23, where majority(59.5%) of the respondents strongly agrees that the internet is more
accessible than the newspaper.
nonetheless, in terms of affordability as in the most affordable medium, respondents gave a
contrary opinion to their preference of the new media over the print media as evidenced in the
data presented on table 24, where 26.3% of the respondents does not only agree but 24.2%
strongly agrees to the newspaper being affordable than the internet.
strikingly, respondents subjects the matter of which medium that disseminates credible and
accurate information better debatable as 35.3% being the majority claim they are undecided as to
which medium does transmits accurate and credible information better.

47

Given, from the above analysis, the following have therefore been attributed to be the factors
responsible for University of Lagos Undergraduates preference of the new media over the print
media.

the use of internet enabled device(s),

hostel inbuilt wireless,
Speed (availability)
Versatility
Interactivity and
Accessibility while the issue of accuracy and credibility remained controversial.
RESEARCH QUESTION 3
What is the amount of time students spend daily on consulting their preferred media?
In response to the above question, tables 9, 14 and 20 did justice to answering the question.
Respondents disinterestedness in the print media was clearly defined by the number of hours
represented as the time spent on reading the newspaper weekly based on the data presented in
table 9 where a whooping sum of 68.5% spends less than 1 hour on reading the newspaper
medium weekly as against the 56.3% respondents on table 14 who spends above 10 hours surfing
the internet weekly. While table 17 does not categorically express the amount of time spent on
either medium, 44.2%(strongly agree) joining force with 40.2%(agree) of the respondents
acknowledged the internet consumes their time more than the print media.
The researcher in a bid to ensure rationality with figures decided to reduce the hours that appears
as options on the questionnaire but practically, based on the findings discussed above, one can
deduce the magnitude of hours spent daily in relation with respondents indicated option and
consequently the medium most attended to.
RESEARCH QUESTION 4
What kind of information is sought most by students on their preferred media?
As commonly quoted by our laudable astute Lecturer Dr. Abigael Ogwezzy-Ndisika "Education
is for Service" of which subject to the researcher's interpretation implies, the knowledge acquired

48

as an academia in a given discipline(Education) is essentially meant to proffer solution to the

numerous problems lying within the society(service).
Indisputably is the fact that information is instrumental for development and the resultant effect
of any kind of development is a function of the kind of information exposed to.
Adapting to the benefits and ills inherent the use of social networking sites outlined in the
introductory part of this research findings discussion coupled with respondents submissions on
tables 6, 7, 16, 20, 23, 25 and 26, one can unanimously state the peculiarities respondents attach
to their usage of either medium and ultimately the surpassing influence of their preferred
medium over the other.
comprehensively, the slight difference between respondents preference of entertainment/fashion
(29.5%) segment and sports(31.1%) segment as represented on table 6 indicates gender play as in
while the female sex reads the former the male sex fancies the latter plus results from table 7
where most respondents(56.3%) but for a few (33.2%) that indicated academic purpose, reads
newspaper for their personal development thus corroborating the fact that most respondents read
the news paper for self pleasure not necessarily to make impact as students or to aid their
academic pursuits.
Even though many(54.2%) respondents agree with reading the newspaper improving their
vocabulary yet, most (60.0%) attest that surfing the internet improves their learning on various
courses of study than the newspaper.
Despite table 16 validating social networking sites(74.8%) as the most frequently accessed site
by respondents which according to Awake (2011) are online services, platforms or sites that
focus building and reflecting social relations among people, who, for example, share interests
and or activities also, Social networking sites are websites that allow those who have account
with them to communicate with a selected group of friends. Nonetheless respondents claims as
represented tables 25 and 26 that, surfing the internet does not only improves their
academics(67.4%) but also their reading culture(55.3%) better than the newspaper.
49

Conclusively, based on the collected, analyzed, presented and discussed data, we have been able
to meet the objectives to which the study was sought to achieve for instance, we have been able
to establish and ascertain that although new media is most preferred, students still find the print
medium relevant for their personal development.

REFERENCES
Oliha, F. & Arthur, S. (2014). A Study of News and Information Media Usage in Nigeria. Africa
Journal of Computing & ICTs, 7(1), 99-103.

50

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
SUMMARY
The research study was conducted to evaluatea study of students media preference between New
media and Print media Among UNILAG undergraduates.
In order to achieve the aim of the study, two hundred and three (203) copies of questionnaire
were administered on students particularly University of Lagos undergraduates.
The research is however divided into five chapters namely: Introduction, Literature review,
Methodology, Data Analysis and Summary, Conclusion and recommendations.
Chapter one elaborated exhaustively the background to the study, Objectives of the study and
statement of the problem. Also, research questions were raised and certain terms were
operationally defined.
Chapter two extensively considered Literature review from which the researcher used secondary
data such as textbooks, journals, articles, internet materials e.t.c. to develop the idea of literature
under conceptual studies including some relevant theories such as Technological determinism
theoryand Individual differences theory and thereafter, reviewed related empirical studies carried
out byF.Oliha& S. Arthur (2014) A Study of News and Information Media Usage in Nigeriaand
McCarty, M.E. (2015) A study on Mobile Phone Usage Among Nigerian University Students And
Its Impacts on Teaching and Learningrespectively.
In chapter three, Research methodology used to collect data was discussed. The Researcher
specified the design particularly survey analytical method adopted for the study. Also, population
of the study was clearly stated, the sample size, procedure, method of data collected and analysis
respectively.
51

Chapter four analyzed, interpreted and discussed the data collected for the study from which the
researcher found out that:
1. most respondents(students) spend more time on the new media especially the social
networking site than the print media
2. Though respondents spend more time on the new media yet they consider reading newspaper
relevant for their personal development like vocabulary building which is vital

for

their

communication skill as students.

3. asides from the usual socializing function of social networking sites being respondents

most

attended site, it is also noted to enhance and facilitate students academics and

reading

culturee.g creation of classroom group chat for passage of relevant information

as concerning

academics.
4. The inbuilt hostel wireless facility enabled the use of internet less expensive and consequently
broadens the horizon of students mental capacity by virtue of

their

exposure

to

the

voluminous information(online archives) at their disposal.

5. The issue of which medium dispenses more accurate and credible information remains
subjective.
6.

subject to the print media adapting to having their online news platforms makes
respondents lost essence of procuring print copies since they can as well consume the
same news content via their online outfit.

CONCLUSION
Based on the findings from the study, the following conclusions were drawn:
1.

Social networking sites just like newspapers have now become active channels for
sending and receiving information. In fact, it remains the most frequent media through
which people especially youths and students have now been seeking information for news
consumption.
52

2.

The high level of interactivity practiced on the new media especially the social
networking sites coupled with the immediacy and conveniency of receiving and sending
of information has shifted the attention of most readers/students from patronizing the

3.

print medium.
Despite the rampant usage of the new media, people still reckon with the relevancy of the

4.

print media for research works and personal development.

Apparently the free wireless facility available to students on campus endangers their
viability of the print media particularly discouraging newspaper readership.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Having brought to perspective the conclusions drawn from the study, it is also important to give
the following recommendations:
1. Social networking sites should not be confused and misplaced in terms of roles and
functions. this is necessary to clarify that social networking sites as its name implies was
designed mainly for networking and social interaction not merely for news consumption as
that of mass media like radio, newspapers, magazines, television e.t.c.
2. The print medium outfit operators having identified most students preference of the new
media should ensure by incorporating brilliant innovations appealing to attract users on their
online news platforms with intensified efforts at humanizing the print copies outlook.
3. The influx opportunities embedded in the new media should be sensibly maximized and
managed such that it doesn't interfere and consequently leads to neglect of one's primary
assignments as students.
4.

If the school management can integrate into the school curriculum or syllabus as a means
of encouraging newspaper readership, a compulsory course with consequential and
rewarding effect designed to evaluate students Knowledge about what is trendy in their
social cultural, political and economical environment.
53

AREAS OF FURTHER STUDIES

Given the limitation encountered by the researcher of this study, the followings are the major
suggestions to other researchers who may wish to study the same or related topics of this
kind in the future.
Other researchers who may wish to study or carry out research study on Students Media
preference can give it a wider scope preferably in the methodology to adopt like the use of
special interview with educators to allow for their experienced observations of students
attitudes towards or their performance in academics since the assimilation of social
networking sites as a platform for information gathering and dissemination.

54

BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS
Abdulraheem, M.R. Adisa, M. & Abdulkadir, O.L. (2012). Information Technology Revolution
and the Future of Print Media in Nigeria: Usage Across Age Groups. Ilorin: Department
of Business Administration, University of Ilorin.
Adepoju, J.T. (2003). Mass communication Research: An introduction. Lagos: Dapson
International Nigeria Limited.
Akinfeleye, R.A. (2011). Essentials of Journalism: an introductory text. Lagos: Malthouse Press
Limited.
Amobi, I.T. & McAdams, M. (2014). Issues and techniques in multimedia and online journalism.
Lagos: Concept Publication Limited.
Anaeto, S.G.Onabajo, O.S. &Osifeso, J.B. (2008). Models and Theories of Communication.
Maryland: African Renaissance Books Incorporated.
Chandler, D. (2011). Technological determinism: references and related reading. Ceredigion:
Aberystwyth university-home, United Kingdom.
Clamp, C.G. & land, L. (2004). Resources for nursing research (4thed.). New Yoke: Sage group
Folarin, B. (2005). Theories of mass communication; an introductory text. Abeokuta: Link
publications.
Livingstone, S.B.M. (2001). Children and their changing media environment: A European
comparative study. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Loan, F.A. (2009). "Impact of new technology on reading habits: A glimpse on world literature
in: Role of school libraries in quality education. New Delhi: National Council of
Education Research and Training.
Popoola, T. (2011). GSM as a tool for news reporting in Nigeria (2nd ed.). Lagos: Corporate
Lifters International.
55

Popoola, T. (2014). The traditional media versus New media. Lagos: Department of Mass
Communication, University of Lagos.
Ruggiero, T.E (2000). Mass communication and society. Texas: Tom Ruggiero.
Udeh, G.B. (2014). Influence of social media on Newspaper readership among Mass
Communication students. Lagos: Department of Mass Communication, University of
Lagos.
University of Lagos, (2013). Pocket statistics. Lagos: Academic Planning Unit.

JOURNALS
McCarty, M.E. (2015). Mobile Phone Usage Among Nigerian University Students And Its
Impacts on Teaching and Learning.Global Journal of Art Humanities and Social
Sciences, 3(1), 29-38.
Oliha, F. & Arthur, S. (2014).A Study of News and Information Media Usage in Nigeria. Africa
Journal of Computing & ICTs. 7(1), 99-103.
Pivec, F. (1998). Surfing through the Internet-the new content of teenagers spare time. ASLIB
Proceed, 50(4), 88-92.

INTERNET SOURCES
Dale, D. (2006).Population sampling methods for research studies: definitions and uses.
Retrieved from: http://voices.yahoo,com/population-sampling-methods-research-stydiesdefinitions-32308.html.(accessed 25th July, 2015)
Majid, S. Tan, V. (2007). Understanding the reading habits of children in Singapore.Retrieved
from: http://joemls.tku.edu.tw/45/45-2/187-198.pdf(Accessed 25th July 2015).

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Pew Internet and American Life Project (2003). Internet Activities. Retrieved from:
http://www.pewinternet.org/reports/chart.asp?img=Internet_A8.htm (Accessed 21st July
2015)
Pierce, J. (2009). Annual Internet survey by the center for the digital future finds large increases
in use of online newspapers. Retrieved from: www.digitalcenter.org/.../2008-DigitalFuture-Report-Final. (Accessed 10th May 2015)
University of Lagos, Akoka. http://www.unilag.edu.ng/Acada-faculties.php?page=faculties

57

APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE.
Dear Respondent,
I am OmosuleOluwatosin, a final year student of the department of mass communication,
University of Lagos. I am conducting A Study On Media Preference Between New Media And
Print Media Among UNILAG Undergraduates.
Please, your candid answers are required in filling the questionnaire. Note that this exercise is for
academic purpose only. Your responses will be treated with utmost confidence.
Thanks and God bless you for your cooperation.

SECTION A
INSTRUCTION: Tick () where appropriate in the boxes provided.

Sex of respondent:

Age of respondent:

Faculty/Department:

Male [ ]
16-22 [ ]

Female [ ]

23-27 [ ]

28 and above [ ]

_________________/___________________

SECTION B
This section seeks to examine Newspaper usage and readership by respondents.
INSTRUCTION: Tick () where appropriate in the boxes provided.
6. Do you read and buy Newspapers?

Yes [ ]

7. How often do you read and buy Newspapers?

No [ ]

Very often [ ] sometimes [ ]

rarely [ ] almost never [ ] never [ ]

8. Which aspect of the newspaper do you read most? Politics [ ] Entertainment/Fashion [ ]

Science/tech [ ] Business/commerce [ ] Medicine/Health [ ] Sports [ ] others specify _____
9. Why do you read Newspapers? Personal Development [ ] Academic purpose [ ]
professional purpose [ ]
10. How much do spend weekly to get Newspaper?

Less than 500 [ ] Above 500 [ ]

11. How many hours do you spend on reading the Newspaper weekly? Less than 1hr [ ]
2-5hrs [ ] 6-10hrs [ ] above 10hrs [ ]

58

SECTION C
This section attempts to explore respondents' usage of as well as accessibility to the new media
(internet).
INSTRUCTION: Tick () where appropriate in the boxes provided.
Note: you can pick more than an option.
12. What kind of device do you use?
Phone [ ]
Yes [ ]

Tablet [ ]

13.

Is your gadget internet enabled?

14.

How often do you access the internet with your device?

sometimes [ ]
rarely [ ] almost never [ ]

Laptop [ ]

Desktop [ ]

No [ ]
Very often [ ]
never [ ]

16. How do you connect to the Internet? Via

Hostel wireless [ ]
Mobile network subscription [ ]
Cyber caf [ ]
17. How many hours do you spend surfing the Internet weekly?

Modems [ ]

Less than 1hr [ ]

2-5hrs [ ] 6-10hrs [ ] above 10hrs [ ]

18. How much do you spend weekly to access the Internet?

Less than 500 [ ] 600-1500 [ ]

1600-2500 [ ]
19. What site do you frequently access?
Social networking site [ ]
Blogs [ ]
social video/photo sharing site [ ]

2500 and above [ ]

Business site [ ]

SE3-CTION C
This section attempts to identify respondents' media preference via comparison of both media
characteristics.
INSTRUCTION: Tick () where appropriate in the column to indicate the extent to which
you agree with the question.
SA - Strongly agree A - Agree U - Undecided D - Disagree SD - Strongly Disagree.
S/N

Statement

SA

20.

The internet consumes my time more than the newspaper

21.

The internet has made information available in a quick and

easy manner

22.

The internet improves my learning on various courses of

study than the newspaper

23.

Reading the newspaper fosters my vocabulary better than

surfing the net

24.

The internet enhances interactivity than the Newspaper

59

SD

25.

The newspaper disseminates credible and accurate

information than the internet

26.

The internet is more accessible than the newspaper

27.

The newspaper is more affordable than the internet

28.

Surfing the internet improves my academics better than

reading the newspaper

29.

The Newspaper improves my reading culture better than the

internet

60