Computer Ownership Research Articles

Exploring the Use of Personal Technology in Type 2 Diabetes Management Among Ethnic Minority Patients: Cross-Sectional Analysis of Survey Data from the Lifestyle Intervention for the Treatment of Diabetes Study (LIFT Diabetes).

BackgroundMinority populations have higher morbidity from chronic diseases and typically experience worse health outcomes. Internet technology may afford a low-cost method of ongoing chronic disease management to promote improved health outcomes among minority populations.ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to assess the feasibility of capitalizing on the pervasive use of technology as a secondary means of delivering diabetic counseling though an investigation of correlates to technology use within the context of an ongoing diabetes intervention study.MethodsThe Lifestyle Intervention for the Treatment of Diabetes study (LIFT Diabetes) randomly assigned 260 overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to 2 intervention arms. At baseline, we administered a survey evaluating access to and use of various technologies and analyzed the responses using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.ResultsThe sample population had a mean age of 56 (SD 11) years; 67.3% (175/260) were female and 54.6% (n=142) self-identified as being from ethnic minority groups (n=125, 88.0% black; n=6, 4.3% Hispanic; and n=11, 7.7% other). Minority participants had higher baseline mean body mass index (P=.002) and hemoglobin A1c levels (P=.003). Minority participants were less likely to have a home computer (106/142, 74.7% vs 110/118, 93.2%; P<.001) and less likely to have email access at home (P=.03). Ownership of a home computer was correlated to higher income (P<.001), higher educational attainment (P<.001), full-time employment (P=.01), and ownership of a smartphone (P=.001). Willingness to complete questionnaires online was correlated to higher income (P=.001), higher education (P<.001), full-time employment (P=.01), and home access to a computer, internet, and smartphone (P≤.05). Racial disparities in having a home computer persisted after controlling for demographic variables and owning a smartphone (adjusted OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10-0.67; P=.01). Willingness to complete questionnaires online was driven by ownership of a home computer (adjusted OR 3.87, 95% CI 1.14-13.2; P=.03).ConclusionsAdults who self-identified as being part of a minority group were more likely to report limited access to technology than were white adults. As ownership of a home computer is central to a willingness to use online tools, racial disparities in access may limit the potential of Web-based interventions to reach this population.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01806727; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01806727 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xOq2b7Tv)

Strategic Excellence in Post-Digital Ecosystems: A B2C Perspective

Each and every day, enterprises are making business processes more efficient; this is possible because of revolutionary developments in information technologies. At the same time, however, these developments seriously threaten the economic order, reducing the demand for labor as existing jobs are taken over by machines. Developments in information technologies have also introduced more uncertainty in the economic environ ment. This new economic model is known as the digital economy. “Digitalization” refers to its use of information technology in all business processes. “Digital divides” occur between individuals who use information technolo gies and those who cannot. A digital divide may occur between countries or between individuals. The criteria for judging the digitalization of countries are internet penetration and speed of internet access; the criteria for assessing the digitalization of individuals are telephone subscription, computer ownership, access to broadband internet, and internet usage time. The basic produc tion of this digital economy is knowledge. The relative weight of the produc tion factors of classical economic theory has changed. The importance of knowledge and entrepreneurship has increased, while the importance of labor and capital is decreasing. Unemployment is rising in an unstoppable way, from the persistent loss of employment for production, and the conversion of labor to consump tion is becoming increasingly difficult.

The Future Scope of Netnography and Social Network Analysis in the Field of Marketing

ABSTRACTThe marketing landscape has evolved to a great extent with the advent of Internet strategy integration, refined Internet marketing metrics, increase in wireless networking, rising consumer ownership of computers, the era of big data and e-commerce, influencer marketing, and the evolution of the Internet. To tap this virtual environment, newer methods of Internet research are required. This article studies the usage of two Internet research methodologies—Netnography and Social Network Analysis—and explores their potential toward the domain of marketing. An exhaustive literature review was conducted and after analyzing the previously published literature in this domain, it is seen that a clear link between these methodologies and the field of marketing has not been established. With a detailed analysis of previously published research work, using these two methodologies the authors are able to derive correlations with marketing concepts and are able to establish the future potential of the two methodologies of Netnography and Social Network Analysis as marketing research methodologies.

Ethical Implications of the Digital Divide and Social Exclusion

Despite that global internet usage continues to expand given the increase in the number of computer ownership and Internet access, a divide persists between information rich and information poor, which is people with lower incomes, education levels, skill and capacity, minorities, as well as those living in rural areas. Building on numerous researches on the digital divide, this study argues for a different set of metaphors by which digital divide should be understood, valued and managed. It examines the understanding that the digital divide is inevitably tied to the concept of social inequalities in every society. With an insight provided for understanding the independent and different layers of the digital divide, a criterion on appropriate approach toward tackling the problem of digital divide is thus supplied. Findings have significant implication for cumulative research on the subject of digital divide in Africa.

The Effect of the Use of Interactive Multimedia towards Form Two Technical Living Skills Students

This study seeks to identify the effect of the use of the interactive multimedia in learning and facilitation towards the form 2 students in technical Living Skills subject in the district of Kubang pasu, Kedah. The study adopts the purposive sampling to select the study sample. The study sample comprises of four groups of interactive (80 people) and four conventional groups (80 people). This study adopts the mixed method to gather the data. For the quantitative method, the questionnaire forms were distributed to160 persons as the sample. Meanwhile for the qualitative method, the interview method is used to six samples. Data were analysed to get the findings using the software named “ Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS)”. An analysis was done using the descriptive statistics method in the context of the study variable which is based on the demography of race, gender and computer ownership. The inferential statistics involve the t-test, MANOVA test and Pearson Correlation test. The study findings show that there is a significant difference towards the level of knowledge, motivation and interaction between the treatment and the control group. Other than that, there is a significant impact between the groups towards the variables of multimedia knowledge and interaction. Last but not least, there is a significant relationship between knowledge and motivation, knowledge and interaction and interaction and motivation. There are two themes yielded from the interview analysis which are the reasons behind students being more interested in learning if teacher uses interactive multimedia materials during the learning and facilitation process. The second theme is the impact if teacher uses the interactive multimedia materials during the process of learning and facilitation. The conclusion from the study demonstrates that the use of interactive multimedia materials in learning and facilitation towards Form Two students studying Technical Living Skills has brought an impact to their knowledge, motivation and interaction. The study implication shows that the use of interactive multimedia materials in learning and facilitation of the students has increased their learning and facilitation.

The Use of Information Technology and Communication (ICT) Among Form Four Agriculture Students in Malaysian Secondary Schools

This study seeks to examine the use of ICT by students in the process of teaching and facilitating (PdPc) the subject of Agriculture. Experimentation and the quantitative method using questionnaires have been adopted in this study. The qualitative method using interviews is also carried out. The choice of the subject for the study is also done through the purposive sampling involving 96 Form Four students in Agriculture stream in 4 secondary schools in the District of Kubang Pasu. The study subject comprises of two conventional groups and two ICT groups. The descriptive statistic analysis is adopted, to explain the study variable based on the demography of gender and computer ownership. Meanwhile, the inference statistic analysis namely MANOVA and Pearson correlation are employed to the hypothesis of the study. The study outcome shows that there is a significant difference towards the variable of knowledge and interaction to both groups of students. The study finding also demonstrates that there is a significant difference between ICT knowledge and the aspect of student demography. The Pearson correlation analysis also shows that there is a significant relationship between the level of motivation and student interactions and the level of knowledge and student interaction. The interview analysis outcome finds that there are two main themes namely the factor that causes students to be more motivated if teacher uses ICT and there is a positive interaction effect if ICT is used during the PdPc. The conclusion from the study shows that the use of ICT in the PdPc process really leaves an impact on the knowledge, motivation and interaction of the students and it is able to increase the PdPc of Agriculture subject.

Willingness to Pay Additional Water Rate and Irrigation Knowledge of Farmers in Dinar Karakuyu Irrigation Areas in Turkey

Water which has become commodity product which is an important product today. Turkey is not a water rich country. In this study, agricultural enterprises in the field of Irrigation Project in Dinar Karakuyu which was implemented in 1992 by DSI. The study analysed which factors affect the willingness to pay additional irrigation water rate with the help of logit model and the irrigation knowledge of farmers was determined by Likert scale. Dinar Karakuyu irrigation network has begun to lose the function in the region. It was supposed 100% irrigation rate but decreased by approximately 9% today. In this context, DSI (General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works) plans to rehabilitation work in the same area. The main material of this study was data obtained from 67 agricultural enterprises through a survey covered by the Irrigation Rehabilitation Project in the province of Afyonkarahisar Karakuyu Dinar. The data was gathered with the help of questionnaires which were answered by farmers in Karakuyu Dinar region. The results indicated that 74.6% of farmers were willingness to pay additional water charge. The data were statistically analysed with the use of the logit model. The model results show that agricultural income, farmers‘ educational level, computer ownership, attendance of agricultural training activities, family size and agricultural experience were positive factors affect farmers‘ willingness to pay additional water fee.

How Seniors in Taiwan Use Information Technology: Computer and Cell Phones

ABSTRACTIn most developed and developing nations seniors lag behind the general population in information technology (IT) adoption and use. This phenomenon has been labeled the “gray divide” by various authors. This study examines the use of IT by seniors in Taiwan. We conducted a survey to examine Taiwanese seniors’ computer and cell phone ownership and use as well as attitudes and behaviors that result from and influence use, to better understand the extent to which Taiwanese seniors have and will utilize IT. We found that seniors in Taiwan had generally high usage and access to computers and cell phones; however, the duration of use these two devices was relatively low. Our focus was on computers and mobile phones because they are the most commonly used personal IT appliances. These devices are the “face” of IT to users. This study also examined self-efficacy, satisfaction, and comfort with these devices, as well as positive and negative attitudes, because research has shown these to influence the use of IT. Taiwanese seniors had generally positively attitudes and beliefs toward information technology.

Pilot study of a randomized trial to evaluate a Web-based intervention targeting adolescents presenting to the emergency department with acute asthma

BackgroundLow-income African-American adolescents use preventive medical services less frequently than their White counterparts, indicating a need for effective interventions targeting this group. Puff City is a Web-based, asthma management program for urban adolescents that has been evaluated in high school settings with promising results. The objective of this pilot was to assess the feasibility of initiating Puff City (treatment) in an emergency department setting, thereby informing the conduct of an individual randomized trial to evaluate its effectiveness compared to a generic, Web-based program (control) in preventing subsequent emergency department (ED) visits.MethodsTeens aged 13–19 years presenting with acute asthma to two urban EDs within the study period were eligible. Subsequent ED visits were collected using the electronic medical record. A priori indication of a potential intervention effect was p < 0.20.ResultsOf the 121 teens randomized (65 treatment, 56 control), 86.0% were African-American and 44.6% male, with the mean age = 15.4 years. Computer ownership was reported by 76.8% of teens. Overall, 64.5% of teens completed >3 of 4 sessions and 90% completed the 12-month survey. At 12 months, the treatment group showed a trend toward fewer ED visits than controls (33.8 versus 46.4%), p = 0.15.ConclusionsResults indicate the feasibility of enrolling at-risk adolescents in ED settings and set the stage for a large, pragmatic trial using a technology-based intervention to reduce the burden of pediatric asthma.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01695031

Tablet-based cross-curricular maths vs. traditional maths classroom practice for higher-order learning outcomes

This study examined the impact of tablet-based cross-curricular maths activities on the acquisition of higher-order learning outcomes over seven months in twelve third grade classrooms in Slovenia. In the experimental group (N = 124), classroom practice included tablet-based cross-curricular maths activities with post-participation testing to identify the effect on learning outcomes, and observations were conducted to identify the affordance and ergonomic characteristics of tablets for student learning. In the control group (N = 135) maths was taught as a discrete subject with traditional paper and pencil technology using manipulation of concrete objects. Groups were matched with respect to gender, ownership of a tablet computer and previous knowledge and understanding of maths. The instructional design of process-outcome strategies incorporated Bruner's (1966) three stage process with learning outcomes in the cognitive, affective-social and psychomotor domains. The affordance of tablet-based cross-curricular apps was examined with respect to domains of learning and ergonomics. The findings indicate that the tablet supported group had better outcomes, with a small effect size for conceptual knowledge (r = 0.10) and medium effect size for procedural knowledge (r = 0.33) and problem-solving abilities (r = 0.30). The authors therefore argue for the introduction of tablets in schools because their multi-sensory human-computer touch interaction provides interactive manipulatives supporting transition between representations on the concrete, visual and abstract level. The authors concluded that in cross-curricular maths teaching, tablets offers efficient use of resources from different subjects and multiple representations which facilitate learning outcomes in the cognitive, affective-social and psychomotor learning domains.

Violence Against Women and Household Ownership of Radios, Computers, and Phones in 20 Countries.

To examine the relationship between household ownership of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and justifications for wife beating. Women aged 15 to 49 years in 20 countries were surveyed via UNICEF's Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys between 2006 and 2014. Multivariate logistic regressions accounted for individual-, household-, and structural-level variables. Household ownership of any ICT (radio, computer, fixed phone, or mobile phone but not television) was associated with increased odds of women rejecting wife beating. The largest association was with computer ownership: women in homes with a computer were more likely to reject wife beating (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.81; 97.5% confidence interval [CI] = 1.69, 1.93). Number of ICTs was important: women in households with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 ICTs (vs 0) were more likely to reject wife-beating justifications (AOR = 1.10 [97.5% CI = 1.03, 1.17]; AOR = 1.10 [97.5% CI = 1.03, 1.18]; AOR = 1.19 [97.5% CI = 1.11, 1.29]; AOR = 1.71 [97.5% CI = 1.54, 1.88]; and AOR = 2.85 [97.5% CI = 2.48, 3.26]; respectively). Independent of household wealth, country development, and other sociodemographic factors, the more ICTs in a household, the more likely that women will reject wife-beating justifications. Policymakers and program planners should consider potential implications of ICT access relating to intimate partner violence.

Abstract A14: Digital health information access among Asian Americans

Abstract Background Access to health information is essential to patient-centered healthcare. Healthy People 2020 recommended three key strategies for improving health outcomes and narrowing health disparities. One of the key strategies is to provide equitable access to health information. Digital technology holds great promise in helping to reduce health disparities. In fact, recent studies indicate that the “digital divide” is narrowing between racial/ethnic minorities and the general population. The question remains, however, on whether or not all groups have equal access to digital health information. Asian Americans (AAs) are the fastest growing minority group in the U.S. More than 65% of AAs are foreign-born, and greater than 30% have limited English proficiency. Non-English speaking AAs were not specifically targeted in previous digital technology ownership and usage surveys. However, such information is important to ensure equal access to digital cancer control information and other health information. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine (1) the most common channels that AA immigrants use to obtain health information, and (2) factors predicting the ownership and usage of computers, as well as the use of the Internet to obtain health information. Methods This study used a cross-sectional design and quota sampling. Participants were recruited through seven community-based organizations and from six Asian subgroups (Cambodian, Chinese, Filipinos, Korean, Laotian, South Asians and Vietnamese) . Participants were asked where they usually received helpful health information. They were also asked whether they had a computer at home and knew how to use it, as well as whether they used the Internet to obtain health information. Surveys were conducted in participants' native language. Only data from participants who were foreign-born were used in the statistical analysis. Results 403 participants completed the survey and 395 (98%) were foreign-born. 49% had family income &amp;lt;$20,000/year, 36% had &amp;lt;9 years of education, 45% reported less than average English proficiency. 26% were less than 50 years old (mean age = 56). 27% in the U.S. less than 10 years (mean years = 20). Overall, 78% of participants had a computer at home and 65% knew how to use it. However, only 14% of participants who did not have a computer at home knew how to use a computer. The most common channels to obtain helpful health information were: doctor (61%), family (38%), friends (37%), newspaper (32%), Internet (30%), ethnic television (29%), and community events (25%). However, there were significant differences across AA subgroups. 29% participants whose family income &amp;lt;$20,000/year did not have a computer at home, compared to 5% of participants whose family income &amp;gt;$20,000/year (p &amp;lt;.0005). Nearly half of the participants (47%) whose family income &amp;lt;$20,000 did not know how to use a computer, compared to only 14% participants whose family income &amp;gt;$20,000/year (p &amp;lt; .0005). Participants who did not have a computer at home were less likely to use the Internet for health information (OR = 0.14, 95%CI: .06-.33, p &amp;lt;.0005), so did participants who did not know how to use a computer (OR=.14, 95%CI: .08-.27, p &amp;lt;.0005). Participants who had less than average English proficiency were less likely to use the Internet to obtain health information (OR=.36, 95%CI: .23-.29, p &amp;lt;.0005), so did participant who had less than 12 years of education (OR=24, 95%CI: .11-.54, p =.001). Conclusion Despite a narrowing racial/ethnic “digital divide”, disparities still exist, particularly among Asian immigrants with low social economic status, less years of education and limited English proficiency. New interventions are needed to target underserved AA subpopulations and help them to gain access to digital health information and develop information seeking skills. Citation Format: Helen Lam, Michael Quinn, Edwin Chandrasekar, Karen Kim. Digital health information access among Asian Americans. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A14.

The effects of computers on children's social development and school participation: Evidence from a randomized control experiment

Concerns over the perceived negative impacts of computers on social development among children are prevalent but largely uninformed by plausibly causal evidence. We provide the first test of this hypothesis using a large-scale randomized control experiment in which more than one thousand children attending grades 6–10 across 15 different schools and 5 school districts in California were randomly given computers to use at home. Children in the treatment group are more likely to report having a social networking site, but also report spending more time communicating with their friends and interacting with their friends in person. There is no evidence that computer ownership displaces participation in after-school activities such as sports teams or clubs or reduces school participation and engagement.

A regression analysis of elementary students’ ICT usage vis-à-vis access to technology in Singapore

This paper explores the relationship among ICT infrastructure (i.e., computing devices and Internet), one-to-one computing program and student ICT activities in school. It also looks into the differences of how ICT is being used in the teaching of English, mathematics and science at the elementary school level in relation to the availability of computing devices, Internet connection and one-to-one program. A total of 360 Grade 5 students from three schools (120 students from each school) in the western part of Singapore participated in a questionnaire adapted from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) ICT Familiarity Component for Student Questionnaire regarding students’ ICT use. One of the participating schools has implemented a school-based one-to-one computing program for all its students for the past nine years, with the school providing the necessary computing devices for all its Grade 1 to 3 students and a student computer ownership program to encourage all its Grade 4 students to procure their own computing devices to be used till completion of elementary education at Grade 6. The regression analyses suggest that how ICT is being used plays a more significant role in predicting the frequency of ICT use for the various subject areas than ICT infrastructure and one-to-one computing program. Further analysis also reveals that one-to-one computing program and availability of computing devices have a significant interaction effect on the frequency of ICT usage for English but not for mathematics and science—the presence of computing devices seem to have an impact for the usage of ICT for English but not the other two subject areas. The findings concur with earlier studies that there are differences in frequency and how ICT is being used in the teaching of English, mathematics and science.

Understanding the Factors Influencing the Take-Off of Online Freelancing in Sri Lanka

Online freelancing is small and simple jobs distributed through online platforms to workers for greater cost efficiencies across geographic boundaries. Online freelancing is growing rapidly and gaining popularity within the younger generation. This paper attempts to understand the contributing factors for such growth of online freelancing among younger age groups in Sri Lanka. From a representative survey conducted in 2015 among Sri Lankan population aged 16-40, 11% of the respondents expressed willingness to work on online freelancing jobs. This paper explores the demographic profile and characteristics of those who are willing to work on online freelancing and how they are different to those who are not willing. Using a binary logistic regression model, underlying factors that contribute to the willingness to work on online freelancing were identified while controlling for the differences in various mediating factors such as education, employment status, gender, skills levels and urban rural status etc. The study reveals education, ownership of computer, access to internet, marital status aren’t significantly influencing one’s choice to opt for online work. However, their spontaneous awareness on online freelancing, skills level, gender, age, employment status are significant drivers in terms of determining ones willingness to work on micro-work platforms. After identifying influential factors, this article makes policy recommendations to improve the take-off of online freelancing in Sri Lanka.

Study of internet addiction: Prevalence, pattern, and psychopathology among health professional undergraduates

Background: Internet has become an essential part of our daily life, especially among adolescents and youth. It is mainly used for education, entertainment, social networking, and information sharing. Its excessive use among health care providers is becoming a major concern. Aims: The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence, understand the pattern, and to determine the association between psychopathology and internet addiction among health profession undergraduates. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 846 students of various faculties from Deemed University. Students were assessed with semi-structured data, Internet Addiction Test and Mental Health Inventory, after giving them brief instructions. Students were classified into normal students and addicted students for comparison. Results: The total prevalence of internet addiction was 19.85%, with moderate and severe addiction being 19.5% and 0.4%, respectively. Internet addiction was associated with gender, computer ownership, preferred time of internet use, login status, and mode of internet access (P < 0.05). It was also associated with anxiety, depression, loss of emotional/behavioral control, emotional ties, life satisfaction, psychological distress, and lower psychological well-being (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Significant association was found between psychopathology and internet addiction. Male gender, login status, emotional ties, and psychological distress were found to be important predictors of internet addiction among students. Hence, these parameters should be taken into consideration while promoting awareness of problematic internet use and educating students regarding healthy internet use.

The relationship among pre-service teachers computer competence, attitude towards computer-assisted education, and intention of technology acceptance

Use of technology takes time and requires a paradigm change for teachers to adopt it. Teachers' readiness, how they behave and perceive technology integration or adoption process is particularly critical. The current study investigates the relationship among pre-service teachers' computer competence, attitude towards computer-assisted education, and intention of technology acceptance. The results indicate that computer ownership, the internet access and amount of daily computer use do not correlate with the attitude towards computer-assisted education (CAE). The internet access and computer ownership variables do not seem to have any relationship with the intention to technology acceptance. There is a significant and positive relationship among computer competence, attitude towards CAE, and intention to technology acceptance. Perceived usefulness and enjoyment have positive relationship with attitude towards CAE. Although perceived ease of use similarly has significant positive relationship with the attitude towards CAE, it does not predict the attitude towards it.

Patterns of Communication Technology Utilization for Health Information Among Hispanics in South Carolina: Implications for Health Equity.

Background: Language, culture, geographic, social, and economic factors are associated with health disparities. Among more recent Hispanic immigrants, limited English proficiency and immigration status are barriers to health information and healthcare access. Improved access to culturally and linguistically tailored health information through technology could potentially enhance healthcare access and health outcomes. However, little is known about health information-seeking through technology among Hispanics in recent settlement areas.Purpose: The aim of this exploratory study was to describe patterns of self-reported utilization of technology for health information-seeking among the growing Hispanic population in South Carolina (SC) over a period of 5 years.Methods: Descriptive, community-based, cross-sectional survey of 361 Hispanic adults residing in SC, conducted in 2011 and 2015/2016.Results: Reflective of reported national trends, self-reported accessibility and utilization of cellphones increased (89–96.6%) among this sample. Although computer ownership decreased (58–53.9%), internet utilization for health information-seeking increased (45–57.8%); more than 80% of participants indicated that they considered the internet a “good source of health information.” The majority of participants in both time periods conducted health information searches in Spanish, although the reported access to English-language information increased over time.Conclusions: These findings illustrate the increasing access and utilization of technology for health information among Hispanics in SC, underscoring the need for broader dissemination of culturally and linguistically appropriate health information through accessible technology, including Spanish language websites. Recommendations for future research include examining relationships between technology access, health service access and utilization, and health behaviors among Hispanics in diverse geographic and social contexts.

The impact of cultural capital on undergraduate students’ performances in Brazil

The main goal of this study is to verify the effect of cultural capital on students’ performances through the student´s grade on ENADE (a specific test applied to students in the first year and last year in the undergraduate courses). The data set used is from the year of 2008 and involves 824.804 students. The standard test is applied each year. Along with the test a questionnaire is applied to identify students’ demographic characteristics as well as their families’ profile. The research question is: what is the impact of cultural capital on students’ performances in the ENADE test controlling for their demographic characteristics? The theoretical background is based on James Coleman (1997), Pierre Bourdieu (1982, 2007) and Basil Bernstein (1997). Among Brazilian scholars the study includes the ideas of Nelson Silva and Carlos Hasenbalg (2000) and Maria Ligia Barbosa (2009). The study model has as the dependent variable the students’ grades in the ENADE test and the cultural capital as the main independent variable along with the control variables. Descriptive analyses are used as well as regression models to obtain the effect of the independent variables on the dependent variable. The results show that there is significant association between levels of cultural capital and students’ performances in the ENADE test. Specifically, there is a significant and positive correlation between parents’ education, ownership of computer, access to the internet and newspaper reading with the performances in the ENADE test.

Social Network Services Use, Academic Self-Efficacy and Students Academic Performance in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

Currently there is an increase in the use of the internet; especially social network services applications, among students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. This is as a result of easy access to computers and the internet on campuses. This of course, facilitates easy communication and dissemination of information among the students. But on the other hand, it has brought new risks and negative impact specifically as it relates to its addiction among students and its negative impacts on their academic performance. This study aimed at investigating whether academic self-efficacy and the use of Social Network Services (SNS) applications on the internet can affect student’s academic performance, through the use of Grade Point Average (GPA) system. A total number of 397 students from various higher institutions in Nigeria were made to complete a questionnaire package that includes, the Social Network service use scale, academic self-efficacy scale, academic performance scale and a demographic profile of participant form, which were all used as scaling instruments. The data collected were analyzed with the help of Pearson’s correlation co-efficient, Chi-square test of independency, ANOVA and MANOVA. The result shows a significant negative correlation and interraction effect between student’s social network services use and their academic performances. Likewise, Academic self-efficacy was discovered to be a significant factor in determine student’s academic performance. However, the level of academic performance did not differ in term of sex or ownership of computer or smart phone. The findings of the study are discussed in the light of related literatures and recommendations are made for further studies.