The Effects of Social Networking on Students’ Performance: a Case Study of Students in the University of Calabar.
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the study
- To investigate the degree of Social Network usage by students in the University of Calabar.
- To ascertain the effectiveness of Social Networks on students performance.
- To investigate the roles Social Networks play on students.
- To study why students communicate through Social Networks.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theoretical framework
In this research work two theories will be used and these theories are:
- Social Information Processing Theory
- Expectancy Value Theory
Social Information Processing Theory
Social Information Processing Theory (SIP) is an interpersonal communication theory developed by Joseph Walther in 1992 explaining how people get to know one another online without non-verbal cues and how they develop and manage relationships in the computer mediated environment.
However, online relationships may help facilitate relationships that would not have formed in the face – to – face world due to inter group differences. The nature of online interaction is highly studied fields that has experienced both positive and negative media ecology, those who interact online are highly capable of creating and maintaining impressions and relationships with others.
Sociologists agree that the advent of the internet has allowed people to be in context with others even when they would not likely have met under other circumstances due to geographical distance or perceived groups or status.
This theory is based solely on the linguistic content of Computer-Mediate Communication (CMC), people we meet online can develop relationships just as close as those formed face – to – face, though it takes longer, because online sender select, receivers magnify, channels promote and feedback enhances favourable impressions. It may create hyper personal relationships (Socio-Psychological tradition).
This theory will be relevant to this work which is the “The Effects of Social Networking on Student’s Performance” because the theory examines the nature of online relationships formed through work, school or social settings. The theory is a model that has been developed to explain the nature of these interactions. According to this theory people are motivated to develop interpersonal relationships regardless of the medium and will develop strategies for overcoming the apparent lack of non-verbal cues.(Google.com).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter deals with the general plan and design the research plans to adopt in carrying out this research.
In carrying out this research work on the Effect of Social Networking on students’ performance in University of Calabar, the questionnaire will be the method to use. The questionnaire method was chosen for this research because the study has to be tested for reality. This is the best for the research since the study involves getting some answers from respondents about their own opinions and views on the research topic.
Research Design
In this study, the effect of Social Networking on students performance has already occurred, so the researcher is only trying to measure this effect.
With the help of the questionnaire the survey method was used for data collection. Information was gotten from respondents through the use of questionnaire. This method was appropriate for this research because it enabled the researcher to collect data from diverse individuals within the University of Calabar in the limited time for the study. The face-to-face questionnaire administration required that the students be given questionnaires in the presence of the researcher.
Research Area
The research area for this research is the University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State in Southern Nigeria. The school is divided into 12 faculties and these faculties have departments under it. The University of Calabar postal code is P.M.B 1115 Eta Agbor Road Calabar. The school is situated in Calabar Cross River State of Nigeria. (www.wikipedia.com).
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Data Analysis
This part of research will present the data that was generated during the survey as well as the answers to the questions. In the data analysis responses from the respondents are converted to raw scales and percentages. Due to the questions that were formulated earlier in this study presentation is done according to the questions. Some of the data are tabulated before the comments in respect of how they affect the question.
The results are then represented according to how the research questions are supported or confirmed by the data.
The overall response rate for this survey stands at 100%. The percentage procedure of analysis is used for detailed results or answers. For easy understanding, the results are represented in the tables below:
The variables used in the questionnaire are SA – Strongly Agree, A-Agree, D–Disagree and SD–Strongly Disagree.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents the summary and conclusion of the entire study, the summary and conclusion are presented according to the major variables of the study. The chapter is thus presented under the following sub-headings:
– Summary
– Conclusion
– Recommendation
Summary
The aim of this study has been not only to determine the effects of Social Networking on students’ performance in University of Calabar but to also gain more insight into what Social Networking is all about, how it started and how it affects the users. This research relied on students responses, if actually Social Networking affects their academic performance in school and as well as their study habits and behaviour.
Furthermore, it has been found that Social Networking has brought a lot of enlightenment and more knowledge about the world at large, educate them and help in the area of information sharing. Social Networking also creates avenue for students to communicate with friends and family.
This study helps us to understand what Social Networking is and its effects on the academic performance of students with regards to the way each student uses it.
Conclusion
The issue of whether Social Networking helps or hurts a students’ academic performance depends on the large issues identified with over all use of Social Networking Sites.
A large response from the students show that students use Social Networking Sites to do various things such as communication, information dissemination, acquiring knowledge and keeping in touch with school mates other related groups and social activities.
At first, it will be easy to predict that too much use of Social Networking Sites might have adverse impact on academic performance of students in the University of Calabar but this research did not imply so but it shows that more students manage their time and make sure Social Networking does not affect their academic performance.
Findings suggested that despite the negative effects of Social Networking Sites, students still prefer this era of Social Networking to the era when there was no Social Network since the percentage of students using Social Networking is far higher than those not using it.
Finally, the argument whether Social Networks has more negative or positive effects on students could be resolved by saying that it has the same degree of effects. The effects are negative and positive depending on the individual or on the way the student uses the Social Networking Sites.
Recommendations
- Student should develop a particular time to use Social Network. When it is time for lectures, examination, tests and assignments they should avoid Social Networking Sites so that they can focus on their academic.
- Students should not make Social Network a habit so not to be addicted to it.
- One should be mindful with who they communicate with, because so many persons use fake profiles about themselves in order to be attractive to another person and should be careful on the type of information they send out.
- Students should be disciplined on what, when and how to use the Social Networks.
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