Development and validation of a mobile computer anxiety scale

Abstract

AbstractAlthough researchers have developed various scales for measuring users' computer anxiety or Internet anxiety, none of the literature has addressed the measurement of mobile computer anxiety (MCA). The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a multidimensional mobile computer anxiety scale (MCAS) based on previous research on computer anxiety and Internet anxiety. In this study, I introduce and define the construct of MCA, provide an empirical validation of the construct and its underlying dimensionality, develop a generic MCA scale with desirable psychometric properties and explore the scale's theoretical and practical applications. By analysing data from a sample of 287 respondents, this study proposes a 7‐factor, 38‐item MCAS. This empirically validated scale will be useful to researchers in developing and testing mobile learning (m‐learning) theories, as well as to educators and m‐learning managers in understanding an individual's MCA and in promoting the use of mobile computing and learning systems.