TH E IM PAC T O F FAC EBO O K AN D TW ITTER O N TH E AC AD EM IC PER FO R M AN C E O F U N D ER G R AD U ATE ... LKJIHGFEDC R e fe r e n c e s rqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Akuezuilo. E. O. (1993). Research Methods and Statistics. Nigeria: Nuel Centi. Davis, J. (1999).VUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA S h o r t ta k e : B la c k b e r r y W ir e le s s e m a il d e v ic e d e b u ts . Retrieved on 06/07/20 12 from http://ww\ysocialnetworkingsites.com. Emily, R. (2004). T h e F a c e b o o k . c o m o p e n s t o D u k e th Duke University. Retrieved April 14 ,2012. Ellison, N ; Steinfield, C. and Lampe, C. " F r ie n d s " iS o c ia l ( 2 0 0 7 ) .T h e C o lle g e B e n e fits S tu d e n ts the Chronicle of F acebook u s e o f o n lin e S o c ia l of Computer-Mediated Communication, article 1.JCMC.Indiana.edu./voI12/issue 4/ellism.html. 12(4) N e tw o r k C a p ita l a n d S tu d e n ts ; S ite s .J o u r n a l Http://www.facebook.com accessed on 19/10/2012 Http://www.en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/twitteraccessed on 05/05/2013 Http://W\vw.socialnetworkingsites.com accessed on 03/04/2013 Larry, L. and Nancy L. Inc. Stutzman F. (2009). An ( 2 0 0 1 ) .C o m p u te r s , e v a lu a tio n 8th Ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall o f Id e n tity s h a r in g b e h a v io u r in S o c ia l Paper presented at the IDMMA and IMS code conference, Oxford, Ohio. N e tw o r k Tiamiyu, M. C o m m u n itie s . ( 2 0 0 3 ) .ln fo r m a tio n a n d C o m m u n ic a tio n T e c h n o lo g ie s fo r S o c ia l Issues, Options and Strategies, in Soola, E.O (ed). Communication for Development Purposes. Ibadan: Kraft books Ltd. D e v e lo p m e n t: The Web encyclopedia, 2012. 11 AC AD EM IC JO U R N AL A.JORL\D O F R ESEAR C H AN D D EVELO PM EN T, 2. 1 2014 --------------------- Vol.rqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA 2 No.1LKJIHGFEDCBA J u n e 2014 \ [SSN 1597-7978 AJORAD Academic Journal of Research and Development A Publication of Academ ic Staff U nion of R esearch Institute (ASU R I), N ER D C Branch, FC T Abuja 1 • AC AD EM IC JO U R N AL A C A D E M IC O F R ESEAR C H JO U R N A L AN D D EVELO PM EN T, 2, 1, 2014 O F RESEARCH LKJIHGFEDCBA AND DEVELOPM ENT tA J O R A D ) E D IT O R IA L BOARD Editor-in Chief Associate Editor Associate Editor Associate Editor Associate Editor Associate Editor Managing EditorfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONM 1. Prof(Mrs.) Kate Nwufo JJ1l1i 2. Prof. Lawrence Aguele 3. Prof. A. U. Osunde 4. Dr. (Mrs.) M. T. Lawani 5. Mr. Chima J. Egbujuo 6. Mr. OpeyemiAina 7. Dr. Olakunle S. Akinsola E D IT O R IA L 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A D V IS O R Y BOARD Prof. Godswill Obioma Prof. P. A. OOkebukola Prof. Ismail Junaidu Dr. Bayo Ajala Mr. Ighalo S. Odiagbe E D IT O R IA L Executive Secretary, NERDC, Abuja Former Executive Secretary, NUC, Abuja Director of Research, NERDC, Abuja National President, ASURl Branch Chairman, NERDC-ASURl CO NSULTANTS 1. Prof (Rev) Imo Umoinyang 2. Prof. A. OOyedeji 3. Prof. Oyaziwo Aluede 4. Dr. Eric A. Apeji 5. Dr. (Mrs.) C. Nwagbara 6. Dr. (Mrs.) C. 1. lkegbunam Director, Institute of Education, University of Calabar Onabanjo Onabisi University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State Director of Research, NERDC, Abuja Director of Research, NERDC, Abuja Director of Research, NERDC, Abuja .. 11 TH E IM PAC T O F F'AC EBO O KAN D TW inER O N TH E AC AD EM IC PER FO R M AN C E O F U N D ER G R AD U ATE ... rqponmlkjihgfedcb THE IMPACT OF FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY, SOKOTO BY MOHAMMED M. KPAKIKO ICT DIVISION ABDULLAHI FODIYO LIBRARY COMPLEX USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY, SOKOTO kpakm oh@ yahoo.com .08038212763, 08027059868 & MURTALAALIYU ABDULRAHAMAN GHAJI LIBRARY ADAMAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, MUBI m urtala.aliyu77@ gm ail.com , 07030085831, 08022809523 VUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFED A b s tr a c t T h is p a p e r r e fe r e n c e th e im p a c t o f s o c ia l n e tw o r k in g w ith p a r tic u la r to fa c e b o o k a n d tw itte r o n th e a c a d e m ic p e r fo r m a n c e s D a n fo d iy o S c ie n c e s . in v e s tig a te d U n iv e r s ity E d u c a tio n , s tu d e n ts . It e x a m in e d L a w , H e a lth and faculties jiv e S c ie n c e s . n a m e ly : T h e te c h n o lo g y th e o r y o f th e m e d ia w a s u s e d a s th e th e o r e tic a l fr a m e w o r k . u s e d a s th e r e s e a r c h m e th o d , u s in g th e q u e s tio n n a ir e a c c id e n ta lly d is tr ib u te d s a m p lin g te c h n iq u e fa c u ltie s under a m o n g r e s p o n d e n ts w a s u s e d to s a m p le s tu d y . It w as fa c e b o o k a n d tw itte r fr e q u e n tly , s tu d ie s , it recom m ends has a p o s itiv e th a t m o r e a c a d e m ic on th e ir u tility s h o u ld a n d th a t b a s e d o n th e p o s itiv e o n th e ir a c a d e m ic s , be encouraged u s e fu l a c a d e m ic a c a d e m ic to s u b s c r ib e in fo r m a tio n C o n v e n ie n c e 3 0 e a c h fr o m a lth o u g h th e jiv e r e s p o n d e n ts use w h ic h ta k e s m u c h o f th e tim e m e a n t fo r th e ir im p a c t a n d t w i t t e r t o justify t h e t i m e s p e n t o n f r i e n d s h i p program m es, S u r v e y w a s a ls o in th e jiv e fa c u ltie s . th a t S o c ia l a d o p tio n a s in s tr u m e n t w h ic h w a s 1 5 0 s tu d e n ts , c o n c lu d e d of U sm anu lib r a r ie s a c a d e m ic s to o . b e in tr o d u c e d n e tw o r k in g w ith s tu d e n ts 1 in to fa c e b o o k a n d tw itte r h a s a u th o r itie s to th is m e d ia , a s th is w ill e n a b le g lo b a lly . paper to m o r e a c a d e m ic im p a c t fa c e b o o k a n d th e u n iv e r s ity The w ith in a n d o u ts id e th e m s h o u ld to s h a r e th e in s titu tio n r AC AD EM IC JO U R N AL O F R ESEAR C H AN D D EVELO PM EN T. 2. 1.2014 LKJIHGFEDCBA I n tr o d u c tio n rqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA 1 i.: ,9 ' ~ Prior to the 1980s, the media used for the communication of information in academic institutions relied primarily on the print and electronic media i.e. radio, television, Newspaper and magazine. These media have performed their primary role of informing, educating, enlightening and entertaining the public. However, the last three decades has witnessed a tremendous and swift transformation into a new media which are predicated upon the use of computer, internet, mobile phones, iPods, iphones and recently, the black berry (Davies, 1999). One of the major components of the new media is the internet.VU The arrival of the internet has bridged the gap between time and space. As Tiamiyu (2003) put it is there anything that the internet cannot do for us? It entertains us, keeps us informed, helps us keep tabs on our friends, let us buy and sell textbooks, gives us an opportunity to share our thoughts with the world, let us express our personalities amongst others. Indeed, the internet has brought about a shift from the normal routines of life to a more sophisticated society. It is very important in the world of communication and information flow in this present day. Now people buy personal computers for the purpose of getting on to the internet. Everyone wants to log on and travel through cyberspace each day, our world is becoming increasingly connected electronically. If you are not already online, you too will eventually want to be connected. When you do, you can save yourselfboth time and money by knowing the basics of data communications (Larry and Nancy, 2001). Stutzman (2009) defines Internet as a network of computers,while Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe (2007) perceived it as a cooperative society that forms a virtual community stretching from one end of the globe to another. Therefore, the Internet is the gateway to cyberspace. One major usage of the internet which has not been given prominence is 'networking'. The Internet has been configured in such a way that it provides various means for networking among users, especially the youths. Social networking can be defined as services that focus on building online communities of people who share interest and activities. It is also a practice by which internet users build relationships and bookmark important sites by likeminded people. It is the behaviour of people talking with each other, build trust and do business outside of the formal channels (web encyclopedia 20 12). Brief History of Social N e tw o r k in g Over a decade now, there has been the emergence of several social networking sites such as My Space.com, 2go.com, Whatsapp applications, Friendster, 2 TH E Irlp~~_SJF FAC EBO O K AN D TW ITTER O N TH E AC AD EM IC PER FO R M AN C E O F U N D ER G R AD U ATE ... Blog. Skypc as we l l as Facebouk J ill! Twitter amongst others (bl!E:ij.l."L~~~'w.~Q~@lnetY".:(Qrking~Lt~~QJD.J. laccbook is one o( the social networkina ~ sites created bv. Mark Zuckerbcru. ~ Dustin Mostkovitz and Chris Hughes in 2004. It was originally designed as a site for students of Harvard University in the United States of America. It was also restricted to College students t~r connecting with new people. however, it later extended to High school students and now opens to everyone, anywhere in the world. Today, Facebook has an estimated population of oyer 800 million users in the world with the number increasing daily. It enables users to connect with one another. share thoughts. pictures and videos and has also become a platform for debate ofpublic issues (Http://www.facebook.com). It also has different navigations such as groups, events and subscription. Membership of any group on Facebook provides you the opportunity to get updates on the activities of that group. This advantage has been taken by some of the students who created 'different forums' to connect with their friends and well-wishers during the school session and even after graduation (Emily, 2004). Twitter on the other hand, is another popular social networking site. It is an online social networking service and micro blogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, known as 'tweets' . It was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched in July the ) same year. Its estimated users were over 350 million users as of December 1 2011, and it handles over 1.6million search queries per day i (www.en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/twitter). Both Facebook and Twitter have f been effective sources of social networking among the undergraduate students rqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sakata. A common question among them e is, "are you on Facebook or Twitter?", "Which of the user group or forum do you belong to?" These are some of the questions frequently asked by the students. 1- is al 1e )y .e1St mg ter, Brief History of Us manuLKJIHGFEDCBA D a n fo d iy o U n iv e r s ity , S o k o to Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUSOK) formerly known as University of Sokoto is one of the initial twelve Federal Universities in Nigeria founded in 1975. It is situated in the ancient city of Sokoto in North-West Nigeria. It is made up of two campuses namely: the city campus and the main campus. The main campus house the administrative offices and faculties such as sciences, social sciences, agriculture, arts and languages, education, law and research facilities. The city campus hosts the college of health sciences and school of veterinary medicine. The school is named after Usmanu Danfodiyo the founder of the Sokoto caliphate. It runs a four-year and six-year university de.gree programmes, postgraduate degrees and remedial programmes (pre- 3 AC AD EM IC JO U R N AL O F R ESEAR C H AN D D EVELO PM EN T. 2. 1, 2014 ------------------rqponmlkjih degree) and has a large accredited medical programmes. The remedial study is only conducted for the sciences and science related courses. Admission into other courses is sought by the standard J.I\ Ml~ (U IV!I: or DE) procedure.LKJIHGFEDCB S ta te m e n t o fth e P r o b le m The internet is gradually taking over every facet or human endeavor ranging from education, commerce, military, government and so on. Today, Facebook and Twitter has estimated users of over I billion and 500 million respectively as of December 2013. majority of who are youths (h11R:llwww.socialnetworkinK?j.le.5...:..~~LDJ It has also been observed that these students spend much time and resources in maintaining a Faccbook and Twitter accounts which they could have invested in their studies. often leading to addiction or distraction. There could be situations where a student is chatting, with a Facebook or Twitter friend while the lecture is going on. Considering this high number of users and its potentials if it is to be used positively for academic purposes: this study was carried out to ascertain the impact Facebook and Twitter have on the academic performances of undergraduate students of Us manu Danfodivo Universitv. Sokoto. - -' R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n s This study will provide answers to the follow ing research questions: 1. What is the percentage of students in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto thatmake use ofInternet? ll. What is the level of students' awareness on the academic importance of Facebook and Twitter? 111. How often do the students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto make use ofFacebook and Twitter? lV. What are the various ways does the students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto uses Facebook and Tw itter for?VUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFED What impact does the Facebook and Twitter have on the academic v. performances of students of Us manu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto? O b je c tiv e s o fth e S tu d y The study investigates the positive impacts of the usage of Social Networking (Facebook and Twitter) have on the academic performance of undergraduate students of Us manu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. It also had the following objectives: i. To find out the percentage of students in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto that make use ofInternet. ll. To obtain the level of students awareness on the academic importance ofFacebook and Twitter. 4 TH E 1f,1PAC T O F FAC E BO O K AN D rW ITTER rqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHG 0: · c.:: AC AD Ef\lIC = ,:=O R rvlAN C E O F U N D ER G R AD U ATE ... iii. To Jim! out how often they m..kc lISC ~)I l (j,:cbook and Twitter. IV. To identi fy the various us\:s of Faccbook and Twitter among the students. v. To find out the impacts Faccbook and Twiner have on the academic performances of the students.LKJIHGFEDCBA S ig n ific a n c e o fth e S tu d y This study is significant because it will help to understand the impact Facebook and Twitter have on the academic performance of undergraduate students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University. Sokoto. Hence it will provide recommendations on the proper use of Facebook and Twitter based on the outcome of the study. It is also necessary because it enlightens the students on the possibility of the medium to be used positively for the accessibility 'and opportunity to create web pages (blogging) for sharing academic information among themselves. For example. Facebook and Twitter can be used for obtaining reference information services as well as seeking for selective dissemination of information from the library group of users. It will also serve as reference material to librarians, information brokers and researchers in academic institutions. M e th o d o lo g y The research methodology used was a survey research method. The population for the study comprised of five faculties in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto namely: Faculty of Social Sciences. Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law, School of Health Sciences and 'faculty of Science to cater for both campuses of the University. Non-probability sampling method specifically, Convenience sampling was used. This is because of the belief that there is no reason for anyone that is part of the population to be different from the others with respect to the characteristics under investigation. The researcher used 150 questionnaires of which 30 were administered to 30 students from various departments in each of the five faculties conveniently selected for the study. Akuezuilo (1993) remarked that some of the advantages of using questiorinaire by a researcher is to provide an opportunity for respondents to prepare and revise their answers. The questionnaire contained ten (10) items and was given to two senior lecturers to scrutinize and evaluate its validity. Their criticism and suggestions were carefully taken note of and necessary corrections and amendments were incorporated into the instrument. The reliability test was conducted using split-half method of measuring reliability of the items in the questionnaire. Out of one hundred and fifty (150) 5 - A C A D E M IC JO U R N A L O F R E S E A R C H A N D D E V E LO P M E N T, 2.1 2014 rqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQP copies of questionnaire administered to respondents. 132 were retrieved and only 126 were found useful for the study. Data Presentation and Discussion The data collected from the respondents ,lIT presented and interpreted overleaf The responses are presented in tables. frequency and percentage. Demographic Information Table 1: Sex of Respondents I Sex Male Female Total 70 Percentage 56 56 44 126 100 frequell~Y (% ) The tablel above showed that majority of the respondents are males70(56%). This is because of the high concentration of male students in the faculties especially faculties of Science, Health Sciences and Law. Table 2: Age of Respondents Age (years) 21-25 16-20 26 and above Total Frequency 81 29 16 Percentage (0/0) 64 23 13 126 100 The table above revealed that majority of the respondents fall within the ages 01'21-2581(64%), because many of the respondents are undergraduates. Use ofInternet Table 3a: Use ofInternet by Respondents Internet User Yes, used Frequency Percentage ('Yo) 121 96 No, do not Total 5 4 100 126 Table 3a above indicated clearly, that virtually all respondents 121(96%) use the internet. 6 TH E IM PAC T O F FAC EBO O K AN D TW inER of Usage Daily Twice a week Thrice a week Once a week Occasionally Total Frequency I Majority of the O N ~H E AC AD EM IC PER FO R M AN C E O F U N D ER G R AD U ATE ('Y..) F'· ~.':Icncv Percentage 69 55 fedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA 21 17 II 9 12 9 13 10 126 100 respondents make LIse of the internet daily ... 69(55%) as indicated in the table 3b above. This is because they have regular access to it. Level of Awareness of Facebook and Twitter Table 4a: Awareness of Facebook and Twitter I ! I Awareness Yes. aware No.- not aware Frequencv 126 0 Percentage (%) 100 0 Total 126 100 Table 4a above indicated F acebook and Twitter television, newspapers that through all respondents interaction 126(100%) are aware with their colleagues, and also due to their high level ofintemet of radio, usage. Table 4b: How Respondents know about Facebook and Twitter Lto~?t.QfEncounter Frequency Percentage (% ) Internet 61 48 Radio 3 2 Television Newspaper/Magazine 14 11 6 5 Friends/course 35 28 7 6 126 100 . Others-brothers, ! of the above mates handset message to join, a II I Total Table 4b above revealed that majority of the respondents got to know about Facebook and Twitter through the Internet were 61(48%), while 7(6%)got to know them through others like brothers, handset messages etc. This is as a resuItoftheir high rate oflnternet usage. Table 4e: Degree of Respondents' Status Much Little Total Knowledge ofFacebook Frequency 193 33 126 and Twitter Percentage (% ) 74 26 100 7 AC AD EM IC JO U R N AL O F R ESEAR C H AN D D EVElO PM EN T, 2. r. 2014 rqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQP It has been ascertained from table 4c above that majority 93(74%) of the respondents know much about Facebook and Twitter because they use them daily. Table 5: Frequency F r-equeD&:Yof us32e Daily Twiceawa\. Trice a week Once a week Once a month Occasionally Total of'Faeeboek and Twitter Usage F ftCIaeo&:}" Pernnta~e 64 81 16 13 8 5 2 6 4 14 u 126 100 (%) 2 It is indicated in table 5 above that majority of the respondents 81(64%) make use of Facebook and Twitter daily because of their high Internet exposure while others use them rarely because of inadequate accessibility. Table 6: What Respondents Uses Friendship networking Dating Blogging Advertisement Getting news update Academic Performances Total use Facebook and Twitter for fftqUeD&:Y Percentage (%) 68 9 86 II 3 4 2 12 3 8 JO 126 100 10 It is clear in table 6 above that respondents use Facebook and Twitter for friendship networking 86(68%) more than any other purpose. Table 7: Impact ofFacebook and Twitter On Respondents' Impad Frequency Penental!e (-;,,) Negative Indifferent Positive Total 85 67 26 15 21 12 126 100 Acad~mics From table 7 above.it is clear that the use of Facebook and Twitter has I negative impact on the academics of respondents 85(67%), while 15( 12%) a of the opinion that Facebook and Twitter have a positive on their academic This signifies that even though majority of the respondents are internet user and have a good knowledge ofFacebook and Twitter, they use it mostly f friendship networking purposes as spelt out above. Hence, Facebook and 8 TH E IM PAC T O F fAC EBO O K AN D TW ITTER 0iN ! ruE AC AlJEM BC PER FO R M AN C E O f U N D ER G R AD U A1E __ rqponmlkjihgfedcb Twitter can have a positive impact on their academic performances. Research Findings It was discovered from the study that majority ofthe students 12I (96%) posses the skills for making use of the Internet and about 69(55%) of them use it daily .. The biggest benefit ofFacebook and Twitter to users is that it enables them tm) make friends which form 86(68%) of the respondents. Also, 86(67%) percentt agree that the medium give them the opportunity to share fun with like minds, However, despite the fact that only 3% of the respondents use Facebook and! Twitter for advertising, 15( 12%) of them agreed that it is a positive medium f@n" the communication of knowledge and of course academically. Interestinglg, 8% of the respondents also use Facebook and Twitter to get the latest news.Jn provided to the respondents a new convergent media which enable them til» combine pictures, text, audio and visuals at the same time. Condusion Based on the above findings, it can be said that students of Us manu Danfodiyo University have a good knowledge ofFacebook and Twitter due to their daily usage of the Internet. Majority of them are also members, which means tha.h they are not just aware of the networks but active users who use them daily. TImi; indicates that Facebook and Twitter can be said to be part and parcel of theia daily activities. Therefore, F acebook and Twitter can have a positive impact om the academics of respondents as they depend on it for several satisfactions suc& as meeting people of like minds, getting news updates and to express; themselves freely. Recommendations The followingsare recommended based on the outcome of the research findings: i. Library and Information Centres in Nigerian universities should seiee this golden opportunity to promote their services on Facebook and Twitter to channel the time spent on friendship programmes. 9 networking S0H IS to more academiJc . i ~ A C A D E M IC 11. JO U R N A L O F R E S E A R C H Librarians and A N D D E V E LO P M E N T, 2, 1,2014 Lecturers in Nigerian rqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQ universities should take advantage of the attention given to Facebook and Twitter by students and use the medium for the provision of reference and information services such as selective dissemination of information (SDI). mentorship between students and lecturers instead ofjust relying on face to face contacts in library buildings and classes. Hi. More students should be encouraged to become members, as this will enable them to share useful academic information with students from other institutions of higher learning across the world. IV. Library management and the university authorities are hereby encouraged to make social networking a learning platform for academic activities and for speedy communication of information across the campuses . • i l r .. .1 •... 10