INTERNET USE AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF RESEARCHERS: IMPLICATION FOR THE UTILISATION OF ERESEARCH TOOLS

Transcription

1 INTERNET USE AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF RESEARCHERS: IMPLICATION FOR THE UTILISATION OF ERESEARCH TOOLS O.G Salubi MAY 2017

2 Introduction The next generation of researchers are already being trained today, and in a decade, most of researchers will be mainly digital natives (the generation of people born during or after the rise of digital technologies). Studies have shown that the arrival and rapid dissemination of digital technologies in the last decade of the 20th century have changed the ways academics think and process information (Kubey, Lavin, & Barrows, 2001; Prensky, 2001); as well as carry out research processes (Emmons & Wilkinson, 2011; Michael, Alharbi, & Middleton, 2012.

3 Introduction cont d Technologies to facilitate distributed, collaborative, informationintensive forms of research and learning (Borgman, 2007) These new practices are shifting the landscape of research collaboration, data collection, analysis and dissemination The technological and methodological growth being witnessed have created some vital opportunities to gain new insights into teaching, learning and research.

4 Motivation These developments raise a range of practical questions and concerns. Some of these concerns include; Internet addiction (excessive use of the Internet for non-work/academic related activities) and Internet use pattern among digital natives. Also, the infusion of cutting edge technologies into research practice, addressing the impact of digital technologies on future users of eresearch tools is key.

5 Methods This study used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches to obtain data from 390 undergraduate students at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), in the Eastern Cape Province. The study focused on the Internet use pattern and Internet use rate of undergraduate students. Items two and three in Young (2008) Internet addiction test questionnaire were modified to suit the respondents and retested by the researcher to measure respondents Internet addiction rate.

6 Results Most of the respondents, 82.3% were aged between years; While the average Internet use time was six hours daily

7 Results Cont d Results also revealed that less time is spent for academic purpose (x 2.94) when using the Internet compared to the time spent for Communication (x 3.4) Social networking (x 3.17), and Entertainment (x 3.01).

8 234 (60%) of the respondents have Internet dependence levels ranging from moderate to severe.

9 Qualitative Result you might want to spend a few minutes on Facebook but eventually, you realise that hours have been spent

10 Internet Addiction Signs Losing track of time online Having trouble completing tasks at work or School Isolation from family and friends

11 Probing Thoughts The infusion of technology into academics among other reasons is to advance research processes and expand the frontiers of knowledge. How can productivity be ensured when utilising a tool that at present is a distraction to many digital natives? Should the fear of Internet dependence cause Digital Native students to learn the old ways of doing research?

12 Reflections Easier access to knowledge, everyday use of electronic devices to access networked environments and the blurring of boundaries between virtual and real life spheres, have all resulted in opportunities and challenges that require careful consideration, reflection and elaboration. It is highly unlikely the research process will go backwards, besides, digital media and eresearch tools will continue to proliferate and expand as new technological methods develop. This expansion of research tools means not only employing new research instruments and techniques but also exploring new ways to do research and, indeed, new ways to be a researcher.

13 Finding Solutions Researches in the future will be heavily reliant the electronic environment and with the distraction that is facing future researchers, the following are some ways that may enhance the productive use of the digital electronic resources/media by digital natives

14 Finding Solutions Recognize any underlying problems that may support Internet addiction tendencies Create awareness and training on self-control measures while using the Internet Encourage socialised academic interests as a coping mechanism Establish and strengthen support network on campus Acquisition of time management and information literacy skills

15 Bibliography Dhir, A., Chen, S., & Nieminen, M. (2015). The Effects of Demographics, Technology Accessibility, and Unwillingness to Communicate in Predicting Internet Gratifications and Heavy Internet Use Among Adolescents. Social Science Computer Review, 34(3), Kubey, R. W., Lavin, M. J., & Barrows, J. R. (2001). Internet use and collegiate academic performance decrements: Early findings. Journal of Communication, 51(2), Leung, L., & Lee, P. S. N. (2012). Impact of Internet Literacy, Internet Addiction Symptoms, and Internet Activities on Academic Performance. Social Science Computer Review, 30(4), Luce, R. E. (2008). A New Value Equation Challenge: The Emergence of eresearch and Roles for Research Libraries. No Brief Candle: Reconceiving Research Libraries for the 21st Century, (August 2008), Markauskaite, L., & Reimann, P. (2014). Editorial: e-research for Education: Applied, Methodological and Critical Perspectives. British Journal of Educational Technology, 45, /bjet Palfrey, J. G., & Gasser, U. (2013). Born digital: Understanding the first generation of digital natives. New York, NY: Basic Books. Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), Wishart, J., & Thomas, M. (2015). Introducing e-research in educational contexts, digital methods and issues arising. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 38(3), Young, K. S. (2004). Internet Addiction: A New Clinical Phenomenon and Its Consequences. American Behavioral Scientist, 48(4), Young, K. S. (2008). Assessment of Internet addiction. The Center for Internet Addiction Recovery., Retrieved from

16 Dankie Questions, comments