The Relationship between Personal Factors and its Effect on Internet Usage

Abstract

Furthermore, the findings of Sam et al. [5] study also revealed that undergraduate students in Malaysia, specifically from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology tend to use the Internet more extensively for downloading software and games as compared to undergraduate students from the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts whom tend to use the Internet more significantly and extensively for something else. However, in terms of time spent on the Internet, the findings of Sam et al. [5] study have not shown any significant differences with regard to gender and time spent on the Internet. Apart from this, the findings of the study revealed that there was a significant difference with regards to the level of usage based on faculties whereby the findings of the study have revealed that undergraduate students from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology and undergraduate students from the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts recorded significantly more time in using the Internet as compared to undergraduate students from other faculties. However, the findings of Selwyn [6] study had revealed that female undergraduate students were more likely to use the Internet for academic purposes such as information seeking as compared to the male counterparts which tend to use the Internet for other reasons. These findings obviously indicate contrasting results as compared to the findings of Sam et al. [5] study which is supported by Mossberge et al. [7] which suggests that "gender differences in terms of Internet usage and engagement have all but disappeared". Furthermore, Kraus and Shullman [8] assured that the amount of time spent online (on the Internet) has risen significantly over the years whereby the findings of their study on the tracking lifestyle, media habits and spending patterns among Americans aged between 18 to