Online Surfing Research Articles

External Auditory Canal Exostosis and the California Surfer Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

California has the most surfers in the United States and a high prevalence of external auditory canal exostoses (EACEs) among them. We aimed to characterize their EACE knowledge, use of earplugs, and barriers toward earplug use. A RedCap survey was distributed to online surfing forums and surfers at California beaches. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to characterize responses. Our cohort included 334 primarily male (n = 269, 81.52%), college-educated (n = 237, 71.17%) surfers who were on average 30.79 years old (SD = 11.07). Two hundred and ninety-seven (90.00%) heard of EACE and 317 (96.06%) believed earplugs prevent EACE. However, 214 (64.85%) had never used earplugs. Multivariable logistic regression found increased age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = [1.00-1.08], p = 0.03), higher EACE knowledge quiz scores (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = [1.19-1.80], p < 0.001), and primarily surfing in Southern California (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = [1.15-4.16], p = 0.02) increased the likelihood of earplug use. Common reasons against earplug use included reduced hearing, discomfort, and social hindrance. Two hundred and eighty-seven (86.45%) would wear earplugs following more EACE knowledge. They preferred learning from surf community members, doctors, and surf events. Low earplug use despite awareness of EACE preventability suggests a need for EACE education among California surfers and more accessible, user-friendly earplugs. Younger, less-skilled surfers who were more commonly unaware of EACE may represent a key intervention group. Education could be promoted through partnerships between health professionals and renowned surf organizations, as most participants indicated a willingness to use earplugs post-education. N/A Laryngoscope, 2024.

Effectiveness of self-instructional module on knowledge regarding doom scrolling among undergraduate nursing students in selected nursing colleges: A pre-experimental

Doom Scrolling is Spending excessive time online surfing and reading negative or unfavorable news makes a person unhealthy. The primary objectives of the study is To assess the effectiveness of Self-instructional Module on Knowledge regarding Doom scrolling among undergraduate Nursing students. And the secondary objectives are, To assess the pre-test knowledge regarding Doom scrolling among undergraduate Nursing students. To assess the post-test knowledge regarding Doom scrolling among undergraduate Nursing students. To assess the effectiveness of Self-instructional Module on Knowledge regarding Doom scrolling among undergraduate Nursing students. Pre-Experimental one group pre-test post-test research design is used in this study and included 60 undergraduate students as a sample by using Non-Probability Convenient sampling. Assessment is done by using Self Structured Questionnaire on Demographic Variables and Structured Questionnaire on Doom Scrolling. The finding reveals that in pre test 41% students got poor score, 37% students have average and 22% students got good knowledge score while after administrating Self Instructional Module in post test 12% students have poor, 24% students got average and 64% students got good score. It is interpreted that after administrating Structure Instructional Module the knowledge regarding ‘Doomscrolling’ has been improved for undergraduate students.

Technology Readiness Motivators and Online Behavioural Advertising: A Perceived Benefits-Risk Assessment Using Privacy Calculus Theory

Purpose: The present research intended to find whether the technology readiness motivators, Optimism, and innovativeness, impact the user's intention to accept Online Behavioural Advertising (OBA), an area that requires additional research. Theoretical framework: Even though these personalized advertisements provide an enhanced user experience, they provide users with advertisements based on their online surfing behavior, and unfortunately, at the same time, it also creates privacy concerns. At the same time, Privacy Calculus Theory (PCT) is considered an appropriate theory when it comes to a rational benefits-costs assessment of the privacy-centred decision-making by internet users. Design/Methodology: Based on an extensive literature review, a conceptual model is being proposed, and a scenario-based questionnaire was developed and pursued on internet users' experience of the subject matter. Six hundred ten valid responses were received, and PLS-SEM was used to analyze the results. Findings: The results show that Optimism and innovativeness have a direct and indirect effect on the intention to accept Online Behavioural Advertising (OBA). Technology readiness Motivators have a detrimental impact on the intention to accept OBA. Research, Practical and Social implications: Based on our findings, we may be able to gain a deeper understanding of the theory behind targeted, data-driven digital advertising and the way in which it pertains to online shopping. Presented here is evidence to support the theory that the predisposition of users toward new technology could be the reason for users ranking perceived benefits higher than risk. Originality/Value: This study attributes original work in the sense that it is the first time that an individual’s predisposition towards technology has been taken into consideration while analysing the acceptance of OBA grounded on the Privacy Calculus framework.

Cyberchondria (Compulsive Digital Usage related to health): An Overview

Cyberchondria is one of the major concern now-a-days. Cyberchondria refers to the excessive and repeated digital health-related searching of information resulting in increased in anxiety. Such searches are compulsive and obsessional in nature. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, cyberchondria became regular among population, as they surfed internet sites related to COVID-19 symptomatology, management etc. Surfing for digital information about symptoms and illnesses on the Internet is very common and very beneficial. However, now-a-days it is seen that this online surfing is distressing population making them more prone to hypochondriasis, panic attacks, anxiety and non-compliance with treatment. Cyberchondria management is the major among health care professionals.

Towards Creating a Model of IoT to be used in Library Activities for Saudi Arabia's Taibah University

The library must create a replacement organisation system in instruction to swap the existing system with the new one. There are several details why library operates need to adopt a new scheme, including the following: I have lost a lot of info on library books. The lack of familiarity with the literature Difficulty deciphering the fine print of library operations because of a sluggish system Difficulty in maintaining current information. Apart from orientation, the user interfaces are pleasant, and retraining was required. The researcher suggests that this approach be used on an ongoing basis to ensure the continued provision of library services. Other management responsibilities include serials and magazines, as well as reservations book, e-mail notice, and automated reminder, as well as the use of bar codes, scanners, and labels, as well as the custom of regularity identification tags to reduce book theft. Additionally, it is suggested that the library system engage in online surfing to enable users to access books and courses through the internet. The proposed research project would contribute to the development of a model IoT application for library operations at TIBA University in Saudi Arabia. The new system will manage and regulate all library information, resolving the aforementioned issues while also providing numerous advantages to staff and students.

Correlate the Level of Internet Dependence and Associated Behavioral Problems among the Preschooler Children in the Selected Urban Area of Wardha District

India is seeing an increase in internet usage, particularly among young and children, as a result of the low cost and easy availability to touch screen mobile phones, tablet devices, and Wi-Fi. Since the previous decade, Internet use in India has grown at an exponential rate, resulting in a generation of gloomy anxiety about it, which has progressed to the point of becoming a hazardous addiction. Behavioral problems are arising due to internet dependence such as temper tantrum, aggression, thought problems, attention problems and rule breaking behaviors in the children and youth people too.&#x0D; Aim: To correlate the level of internet dependence and level of associated behavioral problems among the preschooler children.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Descriptive correlation research design was used to conduct this study. A non-probability Convenience sampling was used to select the samples. This research study included 100 preschooler children from the Gajanan nagar (Arvi Naka) selected area of wardha district. Samples must select according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Young's Internet Addiction Test and behavioral scale was used to assess the level of internet dependence and also the level of associated behavioral problems of internet dependence.&#x0D; Results: The level of internet dependence: 3% of the preschooler children were disagree that they had internet dependence 4% had not sure, 80% had agree and 13% of them had strongly agree. Minimum Internet dependence score was 28 and maximum internet dependence score was 64. Mean Internet dependence score was 54.70±6.84 and mean percentage of Internet dependence score was 72.93±9.12. and associated Behavioural problems are 2% of the preschooler children were disagree that they had behavioral problem, 3% had not sure, 77% had agree and 18% of them had strongly agree. Minimum associated behavioral problem score was 37 and maximum associated behavioral problem score was 87. Mean associated behavioral problem score was 75.26±8.07 and mean percentage of associated behavioral problem score was 75.26±8.7. The hypothesis is tested statistically with association between internet dependence and behavioral problem.&#x0D; Conclusion: Parents and schools should educate their children on how to use the internet responsibly and how to balance time between online surfing, schoolwork, and outside physical activity. This study shows that there is a correlation-ship between the levels of internet dependency and associated behavioral issues in preschoolers. The situation is serious, and it will soon develop to an addicted state. Interventions such as setting limits and identifying early warning indications of underlying psychopathology are necessary.

Assessing the Online Shopping Behaviour of Nigerian Youths

Background: Online shopping is the juice of buying and selling of products and services mostly adopted by the youths do their ability and zeal to always go online surfing and browsing as they look for solutions to their everyday needs. Purpose: The objectives of this study were: to ascertain the extent to which youths carry out online shopping; to assess the level of satisfaction of youths towards shopping online; to determine the extent to which online shopping is preferred to traditional shopping; to find out the effect the fear of losing money while shopping online has on the shopping behaviour of youths; and to determine the effects fear of non-delivery of order has on online shopping. Method: The population of the study is made up of students from three higher institutions in Enugu state. Convenience sampling technique was used in interviewing and administering the questionnaire to 90 respondentsafterwhichchi-square,and linear regression were used to test the hypotheses. Result: The findings indicate that Nigerian youths shop online frequently whenever they access various sampling brands, price and delivery options same time. Also, online shopping is preferred to traditional shopping by the sampled youths because it is convenient, offer discounts, have objective reviews from other shoppers. Conclusion: The online presence of most companies has created an opportunity for marketing firms to reach out to the youths by way of interacting with them and getting feedback on the companies products and services. Making it easy for the companies to know the best ways to improve their products or services. This study equally recommends that firms should focus more on establishing an online presence to attend to the shopping needs of youths in Nigeria.

Online Radicalism, When Online Surfing Leads to Suffering

The development of online media has long played big roles in the spreading of intolerance and radicalism, in some levels, the online media is also used as a media to spread propaganda and to conduct online recruitment. Data compiled by Gabriel Weimann shows that radical groups use online media seriously to spread their wings in influencing and asking people to joint their movement. In 1998, radical-terrorist groups only had 12 sites, while in 2003 they had 2.650 sites. The number increased so high in 2014 where these groups are known to have more than 9.800 sites. The shifting place, from offline to online, used by radical groups to conduct their activities impacts to the targets they aim; online radicalism targets youth to become ‘jihadis’. A national survey conducted by Wahid Foundation on potency of intolerance and radicalism in Rohis (an after-school program focused on Islamic spirituality) shows this fact; 33% Rohis put terrorist suspect like Amrozi, Imam Samudra, Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, and Bahrun Na’im as the living example of Muslim practicing the real jihad. 37% believes that Osama bin Laden died syahid, 6% of them even support international terrorist group, ISIS. The article is designed to analyze how radical groups use online media to radicalize youth, as well as supporting factors surrounding the live of youth, especially in big cities of Indonesia.

Prevalence of Internet Addiction among Higher Secondary Level Students in Kathmandu District

Internet addiction is defined as an impulse control disorder, which is very similar to pathological gambling. It is typically characterized by psychomotor agitation, anxiety, craving depression, hostility, substance experience, preoccupation, loss of control, impairment of function, reduced decision-making ability, and constant online surfing despite negative effects on social and psychological welfare. An institutional based cross-sectional study with a sample comprising of 422 college students (15 – 19 age group) across Kathmandu District was conducted from November 9th – 23rd, 2014. Students were assessed with a structured questionnaire and Internet Addiction Test (IAT) scale, which was anonymously selfadministered. The collected data was analyzed with the help of SPSS version 20 and interpreted. This survey depicts internet penetration rate was 97.3%. The possible addicts/internet addict students were found to spent average of 34 hours per week, compared to the 11 hours of average users. Male students were more possible addicts/internet addicts than female students. This survey found statistically significant difference between average users and possible addicts/internet addicts based on their Family Characteristics which consisted of variables such as economic status (p = 0.001), within family relationship (p = 0.009), ownership of computer/laptop at home (p &lt; 0.001) and loneliness level at home (p &lt; 0.001). Based on the interpersonal relationship at college, there was no significant difference between average users and possible/ internet addicts except for the relationship with classmates (p = 0.024). Overall, the prevalence of internet addiction among higher secondary level students according to this survey was found to be 2.57. As a result of IAT scale, the prevalence of internet addiction among higher secondary level students of Kathmandu District according to this survey was found to be 2.57.&#x0D; Key words: Adolescent, Internet addiction, Internet Addiction Test, Internet Penetration Rate, Nepal, Prevalence

Polychronicity tendency-based online behavioral signature

The proliferation of ubiquitous and pervasive computing devices has led to the emergence of research areas like Internet of things, and the Big-Data, which has seen a rise in obfuscation of online identity thus fueling an increase in online anonymity. Online anonymity constitutes a major platform for the exploitation of the potentials of cyber-crime; at the same time, it also inhibits the potential economic power that can be harnessed from the surging Internet population. Methods of online identification, such as usage profiling, demographic profiling, cookie-based identification process, media fingerprinting as well as token-based identification processes, are limited to either system identification or one-to-one identification. Current one-to-one identification mechanisms require huge volume of templates of known users, and cannot be applied to novel users. This study proposed a psychosocial approach that integrates the composition of human Polyphasia tendency into online identification processes for a one-to-many identification process. To achieve this, the study administered a Polychronic-Monochronic tendency scale measurement instrument to staff members of a research unit in a university, and the server-side network traffic of each respondent was monitored and collected in eight-months duration. A logistic model tree—after an initial classifier exploration process—was adapted for the one-to-many classification model based on human intrinsic features extracted from the network traffic and Polyphasia dichotomy. High degree of reliable accuracy of > 80% was achieved which suggests a reliable model that supports the underlying hypothesis of the proposed model. Based on this accuracy, the approach finds practical relevance in online profiling process for online identification as well as online demographic profiling for e-commerce and e-learning. Furthermore, this approach can be applied to improve recommender systems in areas such as prediction and profile delivery through the extraction of the purpose of online surfing.

Effective use of human physiological metrics to evaluate website usability

PurposeThe evaluation of website usability is the precondition and a critical step for website design and optimization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and provide empirical evidence of the interrelationships between human physiological metrics and website usability. This study examines how eye-movement metrics and heart rate variability (HRV) evaluate website usability, and then affect users’ online surfing behavior.Design/methodology/approachA physiological measurement experiment is designed to collect participants’ physiological metrics. This paper proposes an objective measurement model for website usability, and partial least squares is used to analyze the measurement and structural models, based on data collected from 200 participants who had experienced online surfing at least four times.FindingsThe analysis supports partially or fully 28 of the 31 hypotheses formulated. The study reveals that human physiological metrics (i.e. fixation duration, fixation count, blink count, HRV) have a strong explanatory ability for website usability.Research limitations/implicationsData for this study were collected only from mainland China. Therefore, participants may have been influenced by Chinese cultures. The generalizability of this study may be enhanced by collecting data from more diverse samples and validating the model on different cultures.Originality/valueThis study contributes significantly to the industry by providing empirical evidence of the interrelationship between human physiological metrics and website usability. The findings also provide managers with valuable insight into better understanding of the nature of these interrelationships.

Awareness of eSafety and Potential Online Dangers among Children and Teenagers

Aim/Purpose: Awareness of eSafety and potential online dangers for children and teenagers. Background The study examined eSafety among children and teenagers from their own perspectives, through evaluations of their awareness level of eSafety and of potential online dangers. Methodology: This is a mixed-method study with both quantitative and qualitative elements. The study includes questionnaires and interviews. A total of 345 participants from Israel completed questionnaires; 90 children and teenagers were interviewed from among the participants. Contribution: The study examined the awareness of children and youths of safe online surfing. It also examined the degree of exposure of children and youths to positive and negative aspects of the Internet. This study illustrates the dual potential of Internet use within the context of eSafety, as seen through the eyes of children and teenagers. Characteristics of use of the Internet are liable to increase the danger to and the bullying of youths and by youths in the digital domain. It also demonstrates the promises of using the Internet for productive learning and leisure activities. Findings: Findings show that the children and teenagers who participated in the study reported a medium-high level of awareness. Issues that participants were concerned about included avoiding contact with strangers and cyberbullying, not necessarily by strangers, but also by friends. Recommendations for Practitioners : It is important to examine how children perceive online events for the purpose of examining their statements regarding eSafety and the way they view problematic or dangerous online events, as well as how they believe they can cope with them. Recommendation for Researchers: The study recommends incorporating in future studies individual case studies and allowing participants to express how they perceive complex online situations. Impact on Society: This study illustrates the dual potential, positive and negative aspects, of Internet use within the context of eSafety, as seen through the eyes of children and teenagers. Future Research: Future studies should track changing eSafety awareness and behavior longitudinally to identify the impact of maturation and experience on their behavior and attitudes.

Digital profiling on limited data: Application in display advertising

A user’s digital profile is a summary of the consumer’s interests and preferences revealed through the consumer’s online activity. It is a fundamental component of numerous applications in digital marketing. McKinsey &amp; Company regards online user profiling as a promising opportunity that companies should leverage to unlock the potential of Big Data. This paper discusses a modelling approach that uncovers individual user profiles from online surfing data and allows online businesses to make profile predictions when only limited information is available. The approach is easily parallelised and scales well for processing massive records of user online activity. The paper demonstrates the application of the authors’ approach to display advertising. Using economic simulation it shows the potential gains the approach may offer to a firm if used for targeting display ads at the individual level.

Crumbs of the Cookie: User Profiling in Customer-Base Analysis and Behavioral Targeting

User profile is a summary of a consumer’s interests and preferences revealed through the consumer’s online activity. It is a fundamental component of numerous applications in digital marketing. McKinsey &amp; Company view online user profiling as one of the promising opportunities companies should take advantage of to unlock “big data’s” potential. This paper proposes a modeling approach that uncovers individual user profiles from online surfing data and allows online businesses to make profile predictions when limited information is available. The approach is easily parallelized and scales well for processing massive records of user online activity. We demonstrate application of our approach to customer-base analysis and display advertising. Our empirical analysis uncovers easy-to-interpret behavior profiles and describes the distribution of such profiles. Furthermore, it reveals that even for information-rich online firms profile inference that is based solely on their internal data may produce biased results. We find that although search engines cover smaller portions of consumer Web visits than major advertising networks, their data is of higher quality. Thus, even with the smaller information set, search engines can effectively recover consumer behavioral profiles. We also show that temporal limitations imposed on individual-level tracking abilities are likely to have a differential impact across major online businesses, and that our approach is particularly effective for temporally limited data. Using economic simulation we demonstrate potential gains the proposed model may offer a firm if used in individual-level targeting of display ads. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2015.0956 .

The impact of non-accessible library and information science journals on research productivity in Pakistan

The purpose of this paper is to identify: (a) Non-accessible library and information science journals from HEC National Digital Library (DL) Subscribed databases, (b) Approaches adopted by the LIS researchers to acquire non-accessible articles, and (c) The impact of non-accessible articles on their research endeavor. A sequential exploratory strategy of mixed method research was applied to identify the impact of non-accessible LIS journals on research. This study was completed in two phases. In the first phase, an online surfing of all HEC subscribed databases was conducted and a list of openly accessible, partially accessible and non-accessible LIS journals was prepared. Impact factor of journals was checked from the list of Journal Citation Report by Thomson Reuter, 2013. In the second phase, a structured questionnaire was prepared to identify the approaches adopted by the researchers to acquire non-accessible articles and their impact on research productivity. Findings of the study show that (a) Emerald, (b) Science Direct, (c) JSTOR, (d) Project Muse, (e) Taylor &amp; Francis, (f) Wiley-Blackwell Journals, and (g) University of Chicago Press, are the HEC subscribed databases which have LIS journals. Study reveals that there are 18 % non-accessible and 37 % partially accessible LIS journals on the HEC subscribed databases. Researchers tried to acquire non-accessible articles through friends, social networking sites (SNS) Groups, BDD and by requesting to authors etc. Respondents agreed that non-accessible journals do impact on research productivity. As a result, citations of non-accessible articles decreases, which negatively impact the quality and quantity of both authors and researchers' work. The outcomes of this study are significant for LIS researchers to become aware of the current situation of non-accessible journals and its impact on their research endeavors. It will also guide the HEC and research institutions to redesign their policy for the subscription of relevant databases that will enable complete access to journals on LIS discipline. It will also help to increase the quality of researchers' work and citation rate of authors' articles. This study may then be replicated in other fields and countries also. There is not enough work analyzing the impact of non-accessible journals on research productivity.

Understanding online behavioural advertising: User knowledge, privacy concerns and online coping behaviour in Europe

Online behavioural advertising (OBA) is a special form of targeted advertising. For OBA, it is necessary to collect data about online surfing behaviour, which is usually undertaken by installing ‘cookies’. The use of cookies is heavily debated by policy makers in the US and Europe. Central to this discussion is whether users should provide informed consent prior to the installation of cookies. However, to provide informed consent, it is vital that website users understand the mechanisms of OBA and cookies. This study investigates whether the existing knowledge is sufficient, whether website users are concerned about their privacy, and how they cope with OBA, cookies and the requested informed consent. An online questionnaire (N=2022) was fielded briefly after new European cookie regulations were enacted. The results confirmed that the knowledge is still insufficient to obtain good understanding of this new advertising technique. In addition, the results showed that groups of Internet users did not differ in terms of knowledge, although they did differ in terms of privacy concerns. A comparison of privacy-concerned groups showed that a dual approach is needed in communicating about OBA, not only to inform but also to reduce worries, especially in older and less-educated groups.

Valuing time: Moderate download times can improve online goal pursuit

This research examines how the length of time for which a goal is interrupted affects goal pursuit, in an online context. Goal interruption duration in the form of long download time duration has been identified as a significant impediment to electronic commerce. It is believed that a faster download time is always better to motivate web users to keep surfing. We challenge this belief. In three studies, we find that, under certain circumstances, longer rather than shorter download times motivate web users to keep surfing longer. The counterintuitive pattern of effects can be explained by web users' fit experiences ( Higgins, 2000) while surfing. In particular, our findings suggest that when online surfing “feels right”, web users think that online information is right.

Shaping Global Criticality with School Libraries

This article presents the unique online learning contexts and content in which Net generation students are currently engaging, and challenges school libraries to take a different approach to literacy instruction. More specifically, it explores the role school libraries can play in developing information literacy curriculum that enables students to cope with rapid changes in multimodal forms of communication, while fostering critical thinking skills that offset students' risky online surfing behaviours. Current research and literacy theory supporting the incorporation of multiliteracy pedagogy and critical thinking in school library curriculum is examined.

Keeping up with the kids

Purpose – To find out the online surfing habits of kids and recommend ways companies can improve their online message to target young consumers.Design/methodology/approach – The article considers how the owners of websites targeted at children relate to their audience. It investigates the online surfing habits of kids, the drivers behind their Web usage, the activities kids use the Web for, and what appeals to children online (and importantly, what doesn’t). It includes practical recommendations for website owners based on kids’ online preferences and suggests how brand owners can build customer loyalty online, analyse Web usage and segment users. It also cites several case studies of websites targeting children to highlight some individual company strategies, and mentions areas of concerns, such as data privacy online.Findings – The Internet is an increasingly important channel for targeting young consumers. Children use the Web for a mixture of activities; they are naturally inquisitive and like to use ...

What Are You Reading?

Recently Ruby Cohn, the expert on Samuel Beckett, was staying at my house. One morning she announced to me in a disapproving tone: “Your library has no focus.” Nor, I fear, would Ruby find a focus in my reading. I read several books at once from various disciplines and approaches. They lay about in different rooms of the house, where I read them at different times of the day. For example, the 4:00 p.m. read in the library is something less demanding, suggesting rather than theorizing or documenting; whereas the morning read in my study is a note-taking venture, in proximity to little yellow stickies or the computer so I can type in passages as they generate new ideas. Worse yet, I am on the Internet multiple times daily, The New Yorker is usually open to some article I read while waiting for my partner to get ready for a date, and various novels are next to the bed for reading before going to sleep. Reading is not what it used to be. It more closely resembles online surfing than the removed, “focused” (as Ruby would say) reading in, say, the British Library. In part, my selection of books reflects the variety of articles I will be completing within the coming months; in part, the nature of current postcanon scholarship, which is held to account for a complex and variegated critical perspective.