Effects Of Computer Usage Research Articles

Effect of Computer Usage on Visual Reaction Time in Information Technology Professionals of Bangalore City

Background: Reaction time is the elapsed time between presentation of a sensory stimulus and the subsequent behavioural response. Time taken to respond to visual stimulus gives visual reaction time. In the modern world, the usage of computers for occupational purpose is increasing with increased duration of usage, especially in IT profession. Few studies have been done on reaction time in mobile phone users and video game players, but no study is done in occupational computer users.
 Objective: To compare visual reaction time between occupational computer users (use computer for work >40hrs/week) and the controls (recreational computer users : <15hrs/week)
 Materials and Method: Study was done on 30 occupational computer users (use computer for work >40hrs/ week) and 30 recreational computer users (<15hrs/week) in the age group 20-35 years, after institutional ethical committee clearance and consent from all subjects. Visual Reaction Time was measured using Human Benchmark Software. Student’s t test was used for statistical analysis and p value <0.05 taken statistically significant.
 Results: Results showed a statistically significant decrease in visual reaction time in occupational computer users with a p value of 0.01
 Conclusion: Usage of computer for longer hours especially for occupational purpose decreases the visual reaction time in the individuals when compared with those who use it for lesser hours like recreational purpose.

A Study on the Computer Usage in Mathematical Modeling of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers

The purpose of this study is to identify the difficulties that preservice elementary mathematics teachers have experienced in solving the experimental and theoretical modeling problems and to show how the effect of computer usage is in eliminating these difficulties. The study sample consisted of 20 preservice teachers in their last year at the elementary mathematics education program. Each of the preservice teachers has experience with mathematical modeling and using GeoGebra software. The participants worked on six mathematical modeling problems, three experimental and three theoretical problems, in groups of four. The data were collected from the videos recorded during their work, the focus group discussions, the screencasts of the groups on the computers and the observation notes of the researcher. Qualitative analysis techniques were used in the analysis of the data. The determined codes are classified under the steps of the mathematical modeling process. The results show that preservice teachers encountered a variety of difficulties in each phase of the modeling process. They had more difficulty with theoretical modeling problems than with experimental modeling problems and the use of computers significantly contributed to the elimination of the difficulties. The fact that preservice teachers had a lot of confidence in the results obtained through the use of computer in modeling and verifying this model, has emerged as a negative effect of computer technology.

Effects of Computer Usage on Eyesight in Gulbarga city

Introduction: Computers are used in a broad range of occupations and their use is increasing. Many computer operators’ experience various eye and vision related symptoms and ocular discomfort. Methods: To know the effects of computer usage on eyesight and its prevalence, a cross sectional study was conducted in Gulbarga city covering 4 Engineering colleges i.e. among 319 third year computer engineering students and 79 teaching staff for 1year from January 2011 to December 2011. The study population were interviewed using pre-designed and pretested pro-form and Snellen’s chart was used to measure visual acuity. Results: Amongst study subjects low vision were more common among those, who rests their eyes sometimes (right eye-9.1%, left eye-9.4%) and least among those, who rest their eyes always (right eye-2.3%, left eye- 2.5%). Conclusion: In our study low vision were more common among those, who rests their eyes sometimes. Vision problems can be reduced by appropriate adjustment and placement of the computer and good preventive vision care habits. Keywords: Computer related eye problems, Computer vision syndrome, Visual problem

The effect of computer usage in internet café on cigarette smoking and alcohol use among chinese adolescents and youth: a longitudinal study.

We used longitudinal data to investigate the relationship between computer use in internet cafés and smoking/drinking behavior among Chinese adolescents and young adults. Data are from two waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (2004 and 2006). Fixed effects models were used to examine if changes in internet café use were associated with changes in cigarette smoking and drinking of alcohol. Male café users spent on average 17.3 hours in front of the computer/week. This was associated with an increase in the probability of being a current smoker by 13.3% and with smoking 1.7 more cigarettes. Female café users spent on average 11 hours on the computer/week. This was associated with an increase in the probability of drinking wine and/or liquor by 14.74% and was not associated with smoking. Internet cafés are an important venue by which adolescent and young adults in China are exposed to smoking and drinking. Multi-component interventions are needed ranging from policies regulating cigarette and alcohol availability in these venues to anti-tobacco campaigns aimed at the general population but also at individuals who frequent these establishments.

Computer Usage and Labour Regulation in India's Retail Sector

A recent survey of 1,948 retail stores in India conducted by the World Bank's Enterprise surveys shows that 19 per cent of all stores use computers. In the state of Kerala, the figure is as high as 40 per cent. Using this survey, we estimate the effect of computer usage on labour employment. Our findings show that this effect depends on the stringency of the underlying labour laws. Stricter labour laws magnify the labour displacing effect of computers significantly.

Technology and Labor Regulation: Evidence from the Retail Sector in India

A commonly held but untested belief is that the adoption of modern technology such as computers could be endogenous to labor regulations. We test for this belief using micro data at the store level for the retail sector in India. Our results show a strong positive relationship between the severity of labor laws and computer usage confirming the stated belief while for other business regulations, this relationship is negative. We discuss the broader implications of our findings for employment generation, income inequality between the skilled and unskilled and for estimating the productivity enhancing effects of computer usage.

Computer Usage and Reading in Elementary Schools: A Cross-Cultural Study

This study uses international data to investigate computer use situations in elementary school reading classes and the impacts of computer usage on students' reading performance across 15 countries. The study compares and reveals computer use levels in reading classes, frequencies of teachers having students use computers, times and places of students' computer usage, computer activities of male and female students, and effects of computer usage on students' reading interests and achievement by country. The results provide worldwide summary views of computer use in elementary school reading classes.

The relationship between changes in equipment technology and wages in the US construction industry

The US construction industry has witnessed a drop in real wages since 1970. The decline in real wages may be attributed to a combination of socio‐economic factors like migrant labourers, fringe benefits, safety procedures, union membership and worker skills. Another factor that may be impacting construction real wages is technological changes over the past couple of decades, including technological changes in construction equipment. This paper examines the relationship between changes in equipment technology and changes in construction wages with the help of five factors of equipment technology change: control, energy, ergonomics, functionality and information processing. Furthermore, data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey is used to examine the effects of computer usage on wages among US hourly workers in construction. The research findings show significant relations exist between changes in equipment control, functionality and information processing with wages among non‐supervisory workers. Another finding indicated that although non‐supervisory construction workers who use computers at work earn higher hourly wages, there was no added wage benefit after controlling for the effects of experience, education and age.

Computer Impacts on Saudi Arabian Public Bureaucracy

This paper reports the findings of exploratory research on the impact of computers on management and organization in the public sector of a developing country using a sample of 42 work sub-units. Results show that computerization improved information received by management, who used this information in accordance with needs reflecting sub-unit work technology. Hypothesized effects on the number of positions and job content were not supported, but an association was found between computerization and a downward shift in the locus of decision-making. Results were interpreted to suggest the possible moderating effect of computer usage and societal culture.