THE EFFECT OF INTERNET USE ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

BY

NDAGIRE SHARIFAH

16/U/951

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND

MANAGEMENT SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN QUANTITATIVE
ECONOMICS OF MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

FEB, 2019
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 3
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 3
1.1 Background of the study. ........................................................................................................................ 3
1.2 Statement of the problem ........................................................................................................................ 5
1.3 Objective of the study ............................................................................................................................. 6
1.3.1 Main objective ................................................................................................................................. 6
1.3.2 Specific Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 6
1.4 Scope of the Study .................................................................................................................................. 6
1.4.1 Geographical scope .......................................................................................................................... 6
1.4.2 Content scope .................................................................................................................................. 6
1.4.3 Time scope ....................................................................................................................................... 6
1.5 Significance of the study ......................................................................................................................... 6
1.6 Statistical hypothesis ............................................................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................................................. 7
2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 7
2.1 Internet usage and academic performance .............................................................................................. 7
2.2 Gender usage of internet and academic performance.............................................................................. 8
2.3 Social oriented internet utilization ........................................................................................................ 10
2.4 Potential problems related to the internet ............................................................................................. 11
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................... 14
3.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 14
3.1 Research design .................................................................................................................................... 14
3.3 Target Population .................................................................................................................................. 15
3.4 Sample size and sampling technique .................................................................................................... 15
3.5 Research Instruments ............................................................................................................................ 15
3.6 Data collection procedure ..................................................................................................................... 16
3.7 Validity and reliability of the instrument .............................................................................................. 16
3.8 Data analysis ......................................................................................................................................... 16
3.8.1 Univariate data analysis ................................................................................................................. 17
3.8.2 Bivariate data analysis ................................................................................................................... 17
3.8.3 Multivariate data analysis .............................................................................................................. 17
3.9 Ethical consideration ............................................................................................................................. 18
4.0 Environmental Consideration................................................................................................................ 18
4.1 Gender Consideration ........................................................................................................................... 18
1
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................................. 19
APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................... 23

2
 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

The study is an investigation , on the effect of internet use on academic performance on

university students. This chapter includes the background study, statement of the problem,
objective of the study and the statistical hypothesis.

1.1 Background of the study.

Internet can be conceived as a rich, multi-layed complex ever-changing text for information
dissemination and a medium for collaborative interaction between individuals and computers
without regards for geographically limitation of space(Dorji, n.d.). The internet today is a
worldwide entity whose nature cannot be easily or simply defined. To many, the internet is a
large computer network linking together millions of smaller computers at numerous sites in
various countries belonging to thousands of business, government, research, educational and
other organizations. To the internet users, the internet is a global community-one with a very
active life. The awake magazine (1997, June 22) has it that internet began as “an experiment by
the US department of defence in the 1960s to help scientists and researchers from widely
dispersed areas work together by sharing scarce and expensive computer and files. This goal
required the creation of a set of connected networks that would act as a coordinated whole’’.

In his own view of the origin of the internet, Ibegwam(Dorji, n.d.) opines that the internet is a
huge computer network made up of many individual computers as servers’, which commenced in
1969 under a contract by the Advanced Research Project Agency(ARPA). While awake (1997)
has it that the internet came as a result of the generation of internet in a “bombproof” network
during the era of the cold war so much that if a part of the network were destroyed, data would
still travel towards the destination with the help from surviving parts. Ibegwan, posits that “the
internet was designed in parts to provide communication network that would work even if some
of the sites were destroyed by nuclear attack”.

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The history of the use of technology, especially the use of the mass media in the education began
long ago (Cuban, 1986). Use books, pictures, radio and television are the main tools of
technology have managed to improve the quality of education to students around the world.

The use of internet, especially the World Wide Web (WWW) is only a recent development in the
history of the use of technology in environmental education. However, the impact of the use of
this medium is very large due to the rapid development of information and communications
technology (ICT) in all sectors since lately.

Jagboro(Dorji, n.d.) in his own research ascertain that 45.2% of postgraduate access the internet
at the cybercafé in the university while only 8.2% use the library internet facilities. A greater
percentage (38.24%) does that only on monthly basis while 39.7% spend one hour on each visit.
The internet provides several opportunities for the academia. It is a mechanism for information
dissemination and a medium for collaborative interaction between individuals and their
computers without regard for geographical limitation of space (Dorji, n.d.). The internet is the
world’s largest and mostly used network. The internet appearance in tertiary education was used
as tools for researchers to communicate and share project work, Today the education domain is
still one of the largest contributors to the internet (Dorji, n.d.). Since the inception of the ICT, the
internet has acted as a store house of information round the clock and round the globe. Also
effective use of the internet leads to day-to-day update of the happenings in our society and this
affects the academic performance of students in various fields. This has helped to increase the
information quotient of students during studying, learning and research.

The internet now represents one of the most successful examples of the benefits of sustained
investment and commitment to research and development of information infrastructure (Dorji,
n.d.). The internet is a valuable source of information used by students in projects and
assignments.

With over 50million websites on the net, the chances are that information on any subject
however obscure can be found using appropriate search tools. It also serves as a useful tool for
lecturers in helping to prepare lesson plans using a number of sites dedicated to providing
educational material. There are great possibilities for higher education at all levels through the
use of internet because curricula can be developed collaboratively and educational materials as
4
 well as their instructors (Dorji, n.d.).Another importance of the internet is that it affords students
(all over the world but more beneficial to those in developing countries) the opportunity to
access a large pool of data which could help reduce the information gap resulting from the
disadvantages of the educational opportunities(Dorji, n.d.). The university library has a role to
play through the provision of vast amount of information sources via the mediation of internet
access. Resources that the library makes available must be integrated with one another and
within the library environment and library services must support learning and research behaviors
of its users

Furthermore, Users want to access and use items from more than one content provider; also they
ultimately interact with various users interfaces but even then, each service has a different user
interface for discovery, with its unique set of “presentation services” that the user must learn and
understand (Dorji, n.d.) further stated that E-access opens up greater opportunities for people to
find and get to an increasing corpus of knowledge. Search engines such as Google, Msn and
Yahoo are now targeting the traditional library user; and libraries are under increasing pressure
to develop and offer new paradigms for discovery that meet the changing expectations of end
users.

However, If the use of the internet is not controlled properly, it will have a negative impact on
students’’ academic performance. But, if the student can better manage internet, it will have a
positive effect on the academic performance of students. The role of the internet that allows
access to the e-book, search information easily and assist students in completing the task will be
significant in increasing student academic achievement. This is based on (Ward et al., 1996)
academic performance or achievements are the results of the study to see how far a student,
teacher or institution has achieved their educational goals. This indicates the impact of the
internet on academic refers to how internet resources and services helped students improve
learning, search information to complete their task and other.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Students of Makerere University employ the internet in educational matters such as researching
on various projects and course works assigned to them by lecturers and communicating with
classmates on assignments. However, time spent in activities where “surfing the net” occurs
5
 could substitute away from time allocated to reading, studying and completing assignments. This
may hurt academic performance in the short term. So, the study is to assess the effect of the use
of internet services and its impact on students’ academic performance.

1.3 Objective of the study

1.3.1 Main objective

The main objective of this study is to find out the effect of internet use on the academic
performance of university students.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the study include the following:

i. To examine the frequency use of internet among university students.

ii. To investigate the influence of residence on internet usage
iii. To ascertain how sex has influence on internet usage
iv. To find out the influence of the type of course on internet usage

1.4 Scope of the Study

1.4.1 Geographical scope
1.4.2 Content scope
1.4.3 Time scope

1.5 Significance of the study

This study is significant to the lecturers and students and it will help lecturers to know the
influence of internet on the students.

1.6 Statistical hypothesis

Ho: There is no relationship between the use of internet and student’s academic performance
Ha: There is relationship between the use of internet and students’ academic performance

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 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

This chapter will analyse the literature from studies done elsewhere but related to the study at
hand.

The internet is a platform where millions of the people engaged in the creation and exchange of
the information. Indeed, the fact affects a large and deep to the academic achievement and social
life. By this, review of the literature will be carried out to explore and investigate the effect of the
internet on academic performance. It is very important for the researcher to see how the authors
see the use of internet and its impact on students. In addition, it aimed at how digital online can
help students in their academic. The researcher also wants to see how well the student learning
process becomes effectively by using internet as a source of reference information. Furthermore,
this literature review is to look at the positive and the negative effects of the internet usage in the
learning process. Therefore, this literature review will attempt to provide a better understanding
of the effect of the internet on their academic performance and look for any obstructions to the
academic performance

2.1 Internet usage and academic performance

The subject of whether academic performance and internet use are related has long been the
interest of some researchers. Scherer (1997) surveyed 531 students about their internet use, using
a checklist of 10 clinical symptoms to parallel the symptoms of substance abuse and dependency.
Results indicated that 13% of the sample group reported internet use had interfered with their
academic work, professional performance, or social lives. In the same line of research, Barber
(1997) also found that 86% of responding teachers from a survey believed that internet usage by
children doesn’t improve performance; the teachers argued that the information that the students
obtained was highly disorganized and unrelated to the school curriculum.

Similarly, Kubey et al. (2001) revealed that heavy internet use for leisure was highly correlated
with impaired academic performance, particularly with those using synchronous communication
applications like chat rooms and multiple User Dugeons (MUDs). The researchers argued that
7
 the unique social qualities of such applications represented a most significant utility for lonely
individuals who can be with friends at any time; as a result, many users were kept up late at night

and felt tired the next day, which in turn affected their academic performances. In a recent study,
it was found that greater internet use was associated with better reading skills especially for the
youth initially low in reading skills (Jackson, Eye, Witt, Zhao, & Fitzgerald, 2011). In contrast,
however, Chen and Peng (2008) found that light internet users had better relationships with
administrative staff, better academic grades, and higher learning satisfaction than heavy users
did; heavy internet users were more likely to be depressed, physically ill, lonely, and introverted
than non-heavy internet users were. In studying IM, Huang and Leung (2009) found that both the
level of IM use and level of IM addiction have significant and positive bivariate correlations with
academic performance decrement among teenagers in China. When examining the relative
influence of various predictors on academic performance decrement, stepwise regression showed
that four IM addiction symptoms (namely, preoccupation by IM, loss of control, loss of the
relationship due to overuse, and escape) were the strongest predictors for academic performance
decrement. Based on this literature, it is a reason-able to believe that being internet literature will
have a positive impact on one’s academic performance because, by definition, internet literacy
means being able to locate, retrieve, interprete, evaluate the context under which information was
created or produced. Such skill will facilitate the individuals with higher ability in solving
academic problems.

Despite authors having found academic work to be a predominant reason students use the
internet, they(authors) didn’t actually investigate whether this extensive academic usage of the
internet was helping students to perform better with regards to their grades. Also, the studies do
not provide information on whether internet usage has helped the students improve, thus do not
establish an explicit correlation, either positive or negative between internet usage and academic
performance, which conclusion cannot be taken without evidence.

2.2 Gender usage of internet and academic performance

Studies have suggested that even though the gender gap in computer use is closing among
adolescents, boys and girls still differ greatly in what they do online (Clemente,1998; Imhof,
Vollmeyer,& Beierlein,2007; Odell, Korgen, Schumacher,& Delucchi, 2000). Whereas more
female adolescents use the internet to search for information(Chen & Peng,2008;Lin&
8
Yu,2008;Odell etal.,2000) and for E-mail( Chen & Peng, 2008; Lin & Yu,2008;Odell et
alal.,2000;Sherman et al., 2000),more male adolescents use the internet to play games(Chen
&Peng,2008 Griffiths, Davies,& Chappell,2004;Lin &Yu, 2008; Odell et al.,2000;Sherman et
al.,2000).

Such gender differences prevail from elementary school through college in some socities. In a

study of 5th and 6th graders in Taiwan, for example, Lin and Yu(2008) found that boys tended to
spend a little more than girls in terms of weekly use of internet.They also differed significantly in
their top three online activities:the percentages of time girls spent searching for homework
information and using e-mail were higher than those of boys; in contrast, boys played games
more often than did girls.

The patterns remain about the same among college students, atleast in the United States and
Taiwan.Forexample, Odell et al.(2000) surveyed American college students from five states and
found that more female than male students used the internet for E-mailing and research, while
more male students played online games. Sherman et al.(2000) also investigated the internet
gender gap among American college students by comparing the usage patterns of three student
cohorts in 1997,1998, and 1999.Male college students participated more in www surfing,
newsgroups,MUDs(multi-user,real-time virtual world online gaming),and chat groups,while
female students reported significantly higher E-mail use.Based on a large national survey in
Taiwan,Chen and Peng (2008) also found that whereas males spent more time searching for
academic information, as well as making friends and chatting.

Male and female adolescents also differ markedly in terms of where they access the internet. As
revealed in the study after study, boys visit Internet cafes more often than their female
counterparts, who use the internet mostly at home and at school (Hsu & Chuang,2008; Lin &Yu,
2008; Wu & Cheng, 2007). Internet cafes may indeed provide a convenient environment and fast
access to the internet so that customers can concentrate on their work without interference from
others ( Wu & Cheng,2007). Such a setting, however, has also become a place for adolescents to
indulge in online games. While internet cafes are seen as a masculine gaming space and are thus
considered highly genedered (Wu & Cheng, 2007;Hsu & Chuang,2008),parents and teachers
may become concerned that those who overly indulge in the internet, especially boys will tend to
lag behind academically. As found in a large survey, high school students in Taiwan who spent
9
 more

time playing online games had a lower academic achievement in later school years (Chen &
Lu,in press). Although the association is only marginally significant,it raises an important issue
as to the role of gender differences in understanding how internet use is correlated with academic
achievement.

Thus it still remains unclear what gender differences there maybe in academic performance as
some of the differences in the findings from these studies can be attributed to differences in the
research methodology and the sample used rather than gender alone

2.3 Social oriented internet utilization

Social oriented internet is restricted to use of the internet for social communication and
interaction such as various social networking sites.

The internet addiction is defined as,”an individual’s inability to control his or her use of the
internet,which eventually causes psychological, social, school, and/or work difficulties in a
person’s life”(Chao and Hsiao,2000).

Addiction to social oriented internet use can affect a student’s academic performance negatively
(Brown,Ellore &Niranjan,2014). Akhter (2013) found that academic problems caused by the
internet addiction include decline in study habits, drastic drop in grades,missing classes and poor
intergration in extracurricular activities. Moreover some college students seem to have impacted
adversely on their academic performance by social oriented internet utilization.Research findings
have shown that excessive use of the internet or internet addiction adversely affects one’s
physical health, family well-being and academic performance (Akhter,2013).

One of the most commonly used purposes of the internet is social oriented such as facebook,
Twitter among others. Other uses of the internet like online streaming media usage will
potentially influence student’s performance (Coyne,Padilla-Walker & Howard,2013).A survey
conducted by Englander, Terregrossa & Wang (2010) showed a negative relation between the
amount of time spent on the internet per week and students exam performance in a micro-
economic class.

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 Social use of the internet such as online social media has become prominent in student
community. Thus academic institutions and faculty are concerned about its impact on academic
performance. According to Paul, Baker and Cochran (2012) the time spends on online social
networks pose significant negatively on academic performance.

Researchers have hypothesized that college students are at particularly high risk for developing
internet addiction (Akhter,2013).The possible reasons could be available free time, no
monitoring because of being away from parents and sometimes to get away from tough
University routine (Kandell,1998).On the basis of the existing literature it was theorized that
internet addiction would have negative impact on impact on academic performance of the
university students.

However, some researchers have suggested negative impacts of the internet use on academic
outcomes (Choi,2007;Sirgy,Lee,& Bae,2006) as cited in (Kim,2011).Excessive internet use has
been associated with problems with performing daily routines, academic performance, and
family relationships(Rickert,2001). Also studies have shown that social and recreational use of
the internet was associated with lower academic achievement (Kim,2011).

2.4 Potential problems related to the internet

Universities around the world are investing hugely in information technology (IT), specifically
for the internet, and are actively encouraging and promoting the internet use (Awais
Bilal,Usman,Waqas &Sehrish, n.d). From a student’s perspective, learning using online tool is
multidimensional. It may entail a multitude of variables such as prior student knowledge of IT,
experience in its usage, perceptions of IT usage, computer competencies, and background
demographics (Awais,Bilal, Usman,Sehrish &Waqas, n.d).

From the perspective of Saudi ICT directors, head teachers, teachers and students ICT was
perceived as an important tool in improving performance, collaborations and learning experience
and learning outcomes. However some challenges that affect the application of ICT in Saudi
schools are lack of space, resources, maintenance, lack of ICT skills among schools along with a
lack of ICT trainings and a lack of ICT policies (Marshall & Taylor,2015).

11
Regional study Center Logs indicated that many Bhutanese students use the internet for surfing
resources for assignments, presentations and discussions (Jamtsho & Bullen,2007). Their
research also showed that ICT (internet) based learning adds value to learning and improve the
quality of the learning experience in Bhutan. However, seeking full integration of ICT into
educational arena has become difficult for developing country like Bhutan owing to the technical
difficulties, lack of internet access, low bandwidth and relatively low ICT background.

The internet use for education is receiving recognition in Nigeria because of the need for most
institutions to operate distance- learning programs and the need to connect academic faculties to
global resources for improved teaching and research (Osunade,2003). So the internet has become
essential to learning mode for those aspiring to learn through distance-learning. The internet can
be a great tool for students of all ages in regard to school chores, particularly those in belonging
to rural or small town areas. From long-distance learning opportunities, to online tutoring, to
access to academic journals from the various part of the globe, the internet can provide students a
wealth of assistance. According to the 2013 Digital Future Report (August 28,2013), 40% of
parents surveyed reported that their children had experienced an increase in grades through the
use of the internet.

Similarly for Bhutan, a conference proceeding for the Dzongkhag Education Officers in 2013
revealed that introduction of ICT has been the major breakthrough to improving the quality of
education through innovation and provision of pedagogy materials and skills among students
(Ministry of Education, 2014).Moreover, the number of students exceeding 176,647 studying in
553 schools and 109 Extended Classrooms (ECRs) taught by more than 7932 teachers, the
integration of ICT (internet) in education has become paramount (Ministry of Education, 2012).

However, there is no study done on the impact of the internet on academic performance of the
Bhutanese students. It’s still not known whether the impact is adverse or positive. Though the
engagement of Bhutanese students in non-academic oriented internet internet usage is seeable,
it’s difficult to apply the western views of the impact of the internet on academic performance to
Bhutanese students owing to the poor quality ICT infrastructures in Bhutan.

All the three independent variables that is academic oriented internet utilization, social oriented
internet utilization and Recreational oriented internet utilization contribute to academic
12
performance of the students either positively or negatively. Academic oriented internet
utilization impacts academic performance of the students positively which is shown by past
literatures such as (Englander,Terregrossa & Wang, 2010); (Brown, Ellore & Niranjan,2014);
Dahlstorm, Boor, Grunwald & Vockley,2011)

While social oriented internet utilization has negative impacts on academic performance of the
students. Heavy engagement in social networking sites would rather consume the students’ huge
amount of time which could be dedicated for academic tasks. Also studies have shown that
students were delayed for classes, school activities and functions because of the engagement in
social oriented internet as per the past papers such as ( Coyne et al., 2013); (Englander et al.,
2010); and ( Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010).

Similarly, recreational oriented internet utilization affects the academic performance of the
students. Past research also reveals that male genders use the internet for recreational purposes
more than females. The negative relationship between academic performance and the
recreational oriented internet utilization were revealed by much past research such as ( Brown,
Ellore & Niranjan, 2014); (Lenhart, Raine & Lewis,2001); (Gross,2004); and (Haythronthwaite
& Wellman,2002).

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 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the method and procedure that will be applied in this study. It will be
organized under the following sub-headings: Research design, target population, sample size and
sampling technique, Research Instruments, data collection procedure, validity and reliability of
the instrument and method of data analysis.

3.1 Research design

This study will focus on effects of internet use on the academic performance of university
students. A descriptive survey design will be adopted for this study. According to Nworgu
(2006), a descriptive survey design describes a condition or phenomenon as it exists naturally
without manipulations. The research design will ensure the desired goals and objectives. It will
be carried out because the study is concerned with data collection for the purpose of describing
and interpreting existing conditions, prevailing practices and attitudes among other things.

The dependent variable is Academic Performance.

The study will deploy three independent variables namely:

1) Academic oriented internet utilization.

Under this independent variable-internet usage for assignment,research,course related and
class presentation related internet browsing is accounted.The total time they spend on
these matters was explored on a daily basis.Basically the impact of academic oriented
internet utilization on academic performance of the students was examined.
2) Social oriented internet utilization
Basically the usage of the internet for social networking swites such as Facebook are
included under this variable.

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3.3 Target Population

A target population is a group of individual objects or items from which samples are taken for
measurement. The study will target the year three students of Makerere University at School of
Statistics and Planning

3.4 Sample size and sampling technique

It describes the procedure that will be used to determine the sample sizes and sampling
techniques employed such as stratified random sampling .The target population is divided into
strata. The strata are necessary because the target population is heterogeneous in nature.

Using the Cochran’s formula (1963) to determine the required sample size for the study .A total
sample of 120 students is to be randomly selected using confidence level of 95% and a
probability of 91.5%

= 𝑍2(1 − 𝑃)/𝑒2

Where;

n = sample size

𝑝 = degree of variability

𝑍 = the level of confidence interval measure

𝑒 = margin of error

n =(1.96)^2*0.915*0.085/(0.05)^2

n= 119.5~120 students.

3.5 Research Instruments

Data will be collected using a self-developed questionnaire. Questionnaires will be used because
it saves time and all the respondents are literate and therefore could answer the questions. Closed
ended questions and open ended questions will be administered to the sample chosen for
thestudy so as to be used as primary data. According to Bryam and Bell (2003) closed ended
questions have an advantage over open ended questions since they are easy to process answers,
15
 enhance comparability of answers and make them easier to show relationship between the
variables. The researcher will also carry out a pilot test for the questionnaires to assist the
researcher to get some new ideas on the quality of the questionnaire, the clarity and to ensure that
the items in the instrument are stated clearly and are not ambiguous.

3.6 Data collection procedure

To determine the effect of internet on academic performance of university students, A survey

will be conducted from year three students who use different internet browsers in which a
questionnaire will used to collect data from the students and data entry will be done using EPI-
DATA

3.7 Validity and reliability of the instrument

Validity indicates the degree to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure
(Kothari, 2004) the questionnaires will be well structured to ensure that they remain focused,
accurate and consistent in the course of the study. This will be assured through wide
consultations between the researcher and the university supervisor giving guidelines. Proof
reading will be used to ensure content validity of the instruments.

Reliability is the measure of the degree to which a research instrument yields consistent results
or data after repeated trials (Mugenda, 2008). The questionnaires will be first tested on the
selected sample of three third year courses at school of statistics and planning and comments
made by the respondents during pretesting will be used to improve the instrument in order to
ensure reliability.

Pearson Correlation Coefficient will be used to determine the reliability of the instrument

3.8 Data analysis

The questionnaires will be cross examined to ascertain their accuracy, completeness and
uniformity. Data will be first cleaned by ensuring completeness of information at the point of

16
collection. It will be coded and organized into different categorises. Data will be analysed using
statistical inference in order to answer the statistical hypothesis and objectives.

3.8.1 Univariate data analysis

The data collected from students will be summarized by the use of frequencies for the different
variables and these frequencies and percentages presented in form of tables. Under the univariate
data analysis, descriptive statistics will be merely used summarize a set of sample observations

3.8.2 Bivariate data analysis

Inferential statistics moved beyond the description of specific observations to make inferences
about the larger population from which the sample observations were drawn. Thus inferential
analysis will be used to establish relationships that are to be examined through bivariate data
analysis and cross tabulations for all the variables that look at and conclusions based on the p
value for the results and Analysis of Variance will be used

3.8.3 Multivariate data analysis

Linear regression will be used at the multivariate level to determine the effect of each
explanatory variable on the dependent. It was chosen among others because of the dichotomous
nature of the dependent variable. It estimated the probability of falling into any of the two
dichotomous values of the dependent variable given the effects of the independent variables.

The model takes the form;

Y=∝ +𝑏1𝑋1 + 𝑏2𝑋2 + ⋯ + 𝑏𝐾𝑋𝑘

where

α is a constant

b is the coefficient associated with independent variable

X is the independent variables

17
3.9 Ethical consideration

Informed consent will be obtained from all participating in the study. Those not willing to
participate in the study will be under no obligation to do so. Respondent’s names will not be
indicated anywhere in the data collection tools for confidentiality and information gathered will
only be used for the purpose of this study.

4.0 Environmental Consideration

Students will be encouraged to use services such as Google Drive and Gmail hence lessening the
negative effect to the environment.

4.1 Gender Consideration

Gender equality will be fully accounted for throughout the research through gender dimension as
well as equal opportunities in the process of conducting the research process. There will be
formulation of gender-sensitive research questions and collection of gender-sensitive data as well
as selecting a mixed team of men and women during the conducting process

18
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APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Research questionnaire of the effect of internet on the Academic performance

of University Students.

Questionnaire number

Greetings to you, My name is NDAGIRE SHARIFAH a student of Makerere University

pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in science in Quantitative Economics. I am carrying out an
academic research on the effects of internet on the academic performance. You have been chosen
because you are better placed to tell us the various effects of internet on the academic
performance and it will take about 10 minutes to complete the interview

The information offered to me will be kept strictly confidential and will not be unduly disclosed.

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

(Circle where applicable as per the question)

A1 Gender of the student 1) Male

2) Female

A2 Current age of the student ……………………………….

A3 Religion of the student 1) Moslem

2) Catholic
3) Protestant
4) Born Again
5) Others(specify)………….

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A4 Course of the student 1) BSQE
2) BSTAT
3) BBS
4) BSAS
5) BPOP

A5 Programme of the study 1) Day

2) Evening

A6 Nature of the sponsor 1) Government

2) Private
3) Others(specify)……………..

A7 Type of residence 1) Hall

2) Hostel
3) Commuting
4) Others(specify)………………

STUDENT’S AWARENESS AND USAGE OF INTERNET PLATFORMS

B1 Do you use internet? 1) Yes

2) No

B2 If yes in B1 how often do you the internet? 1) Very often

2) Often
3) Rarely
4) Very rarely

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 5) Others(specify)…………

B3 Where do you use the internet from? 1) Home

2) Campus
3) Café
4) Library
5) Others(specify)……………

B4 How many hours per day do you spend on the ……………………….

internet?

B5 Which search engine do you use most? 1) Google

2) Yahoo
3) Others(specify)…………….

B6 If no in B1 Why don’t you use internet? ………………………….

…………………………….

……………………………

…………………………..

B7 What are the reasons as to why you access the 1) Academic work
internet? 2) Recreational activities
3) Chatting
4) Others(specify)……………..

B8 Has internet influenced your academic 1) Yes

performance positively? 2) No

B9 If Yes in B8 give reasons for your answer …………………………

…………………………….

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 ……………………………..

……………………………

B10 If No in B8 how has internet influenced your .....................................

academic performance negatively?
………………………...

………………………..

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

C1 What is your current CGPA …………………………….

C2 Has the internet improved you CGPA? 1) Yes

2) No

C3 If Yes in C2 how has it helped you improve your …………………..

CGPA?
…………………..

…………………..

………………….

C4 If No in C2 how has your CGPA improved without using ……………………..

internet?
……………………..

………………………

……………………….

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C5 If No in C2 Why hasn’t internet helped you improve
your CGPA?

Please tick the appropriate option. SA means strongly agree A means Agree D means
disagree SD means Strongly disagree

S/N ITEMS SA A D SD

STUDENT’S ADDICTIVENESS TO INTERNET AND

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

1 Addiction to internet is a problematic issue that affects my academic

life

2 Internet distracts me from my studies

3 There is no improvement in my grades since I became engaged to

internet sites

EXPOSURE OF STUDENT’S TO INTERNET AND THEIR

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

4 I engage in academic discussions on internet and this has improved my

academic performance

5 I think that access to the smart phone/computer to the internet will give
a good impact to your education?

6 I think that access to internet will give a good impact to your

education?

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7 I think that access to internet will help you do your coursework?

8 I think that access to internet will help you do your revision for
examination?

9 I think those who have access internet have good grades?

10 Internet is a wastage of time

GENDER USAGE OF INTERNET

11 Males are more effective at using internet sites for academic purposes

12 Gender determines the level of internet usage

13 Male and female students use internet sites differently in different

frequencies

Thank you so much for your participation.

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