An Investigation of Undergraduate Students' use of the Internet in Nigeria: Case Study of the University of Port Harcourt

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

This research aims is to analyse closely the internet usage behaviour of undergraduate students' of the University of Port Harcourt for their academic requirements. The research focuses on identifying the student's perception about using and acquiring information that is available on the Internet. The Internet use have first started being used widely on university campuses during 1990s, and it has become the base of direct outcome of university based research. This study will help the University of Port to recognise the preferences, attitudes and mindset generally of undergraduate students towards using internet. In return, the University of Port Harcourt would have better opportunities in providing the services according to needs and demands of the undergraduate students. The Internet provides a self-directed learning forum that allows for greater control over one's learning potential. Undergraduate students preferred to gather information from various sources like, websites, online books, search engines, online journals and database. They also observed that students considered Internet sources, such as Websites, online libraries, and search engines to be easily accessible for collecting any kind of information. This research has focused on analysing the behaviour of Nigerian undergraduate students, specifically belonging to University of Port Harcourt, through conducting a survey. Through the research tries to identify their learning behaviour, their motives for using Internet and the time they spent seeking information through the Internet.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Research Title1

Research Background1

Purpose of the Study2

Research Aim and Objectives2

Research Questions3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW4

Introduction4

Internet5

Internet Use5

Internet and Education8

Internet and Students9

Education and Internet Use by Students10

The Impact of Education Technology on Student Achievement13

The Internet and Self-Directed Learning14

Undergraduate Student Information seeking Behaviour15

Students using Internet in Nigeria18

Theoretical Framework19

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY22

Research Method22

Quantitative Research22

Research Strategy-Case Study23

Data Collection Method24

Primary Data24

Secondary Data24

Rationale for a Quantitative Study25

Data Collection Instrument26

Questionnaire Survey26

Data Analysis26

Sample27

Sample Size27

Population27

Validity28

Reliability29

Informed Consent30

Confidentiality31

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS32

Results32

Demographics32

Questionnaire Results33

CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION45

Analysis of the Survey45

Close-ended Questions45

Open Ended Questions46

Discussion47

Students Use of Internet in Nigeria49

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION51

REFERENCES53

APPENDIX64

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Research Title

An Investigation of undergraduate students' use of the internet in Nigeria: Case Study of the University of Port Harcourt

Research Background

With the global changes in the technological environment, the undergraduate students have come on the front position of bringing social changes. They have been among the initial users of Internet as medium of communication, file sharing, data sharing, recreation, and having broadband internet accessibility. The Internet use have first started being used widely on university campuses during 1990s, and it has become the base of direct outcome of university based ...