INTERNET USE AND THE NEXT

GENERATION OF RESEARCHERS:

IMPLICATION FOR THE UTILISATION

OF ERESEARCH TOOLS

O.G Salubi

MAY 2017

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Introduction

The next generation of researchers are already being trained today,

and in a decade, most of researchers will be mainly digital natives (the

generation of people born during or after the rise of digital

technologies).

Studies have shown that the arrival and rapid dissemination of digital

technologies in the last decade of the 20th century have changed the

ways academics think and process information (Kubey, Lavin, &

Barrows, 2001; Prensky, 2001); as well as carry out research

processes (Emmons & Wilkinson, 2011; Michael, Alharbi, & Middleton,

2012.

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Introduction cont’d

• “Technologies to facilitate distributed, collaborative, information-

intensive forms of research and learning” (Borgman, 2007)

• These new practices are shifting the landscape of research

collaboration, data collection, analysis and dissemination

• The technological and methodological growth being witnessed

have created some vital opportunities to gain new insights into

teaching, learning and research.

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Motivation

• These developments raise a range of practical questions and concerns.

Some of these concerns include; Internet addiction (excessive use of the

Internet for non-work/academic related activities) and Internet use pattern

among digital natives.

• Also, the infusion of cutting edge technologies into research practice,

addressing the impact of digital technologies on future users of eResearch

tools is key.

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Methods

• This study used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches to

obtain data from 390 undergraduate students at the University of Fort

Hare (UFH) and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), in

the Eastern Cape Province.

• The study focused on the Internet use pattern and Internet use rate of

undergraduate students.

• Items two and three in Young (2008) Internet addiction test questionnaire

were modified to suit the respondents and retested by the researcher to

measure respondents’ Internet addiction rate.

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Results

Most of the respondents, 82.3% were aged between 18-23 years;

While the average Internet use time was six hours daily

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Results Cont’d

Results also revealed that lesstime is spent for academicpurpose (x̅ 2.94) when usingthe Internet compared to thetime spent for

Communication (x̅ 3.4)

Social networking (x̅ 3.17), and

Entertainment (x̅ 3.01).

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234 (60%) of the

respondents have

Internet dependence

levels ranging from

moderate to severe.

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Qualitative Result

“you might

want to

spend a

few

minutes on

Facebook

but

eventually,

you realise

that hours

have been

spent”

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Internet Addiction Signs

• Losing track of time online

• Having trouble completing tasks at work or School

• Isolation from family and friends

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Probing Thoughts

The infusion of technology into academicsamong other reasons is to advanceresearch processes and expand thefrontiers of knowledge.

• How can productivity be ensured whenutilising a tool that at present is adistraction to many digital natives?

• Should the fear of Internet dependencecause Digital Native students to learn theold ways of doing research?

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Reflections

• Easier access to knowledge, everyday use of electronic devices to access networked

environments and the blurring of boundaries between virtual and real life spheres,

have all resulted in opportunities and challenges that require careful consideration,

reflection and elaboration.

• It is highly unlikely the research process will go backwards, besides, digital media and

eResearch tools will continue to proliferate and expand as new technological methods

develop.

• This expansion of research tools means not only employing new research instruments

and techniques but also exploring new ways to do research and, indeed, new ways to

be a researcher.

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Finding Solutions

Researches in the future will be heavily reliant the electronic

environment and with the distraction that is facing future

researchers, the following are some ways that may

enhance the productive use of the digital electronic

resources/media by digital natives

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• Recognize any underlying problems that may support

Internet addiction tendencies

• Create awareness and training on self-control measures while

using the Internet

• Encourage socialised academic interests as a coping

mechanism

• Establish and strengthen support network on campus

• Acquisition of time management and information literacy skills

Finding Solutions

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Bibliography• Dhir, A., Chen, S., & Nieminen, M. (2015). The Effects of Demographics, Technology Accessibility, and Unwillingness to

Communicate in Predicting Internet Gratifications and Heavy Internet Use Among Adolescents. Social Science Computer Review,

34(3), 279–297. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439315582854

• Kubey, R. W., Lavin, M. J., & Barrows, J. R. (2001). Internet use and collegiate academic performance decrements: Early

findings. Journal of Communication, 51(2), 366–382.

• Leung, L., & Lee, P. S. N. (2012). Impact of Internet Literacy, Internet Addiction Symptoms, and Internet Activities on Academic

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• Luce, R. E. (2008). A New Value Equation Challenge: The Emergence of eResearch and Roles for Research Libraries. No Brief

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• Palfrey, J. G., & Gasser, U. (2013). Born digital: Understanding the first generation of digital natives. New York, NY: Basic Books.

• Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1108/10748120110424816

• Wishart, J., & Thomas, M. (2015). Introducing e-research in educational contexts, digital methods and issues arising. International

Journal of Research & Method in Education, 38(3), 223–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/1743727X.2015.1036852

• Young, K. S. (2004). Internet Addiction: A New Clinical Phenomenon and Its Consequences. American Behavioral Scientist,

48(4), 402–415. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764204270278

• Young, K. S. (2008). Assessment of Internet addiction. The Center for Internet Addiction Recovery., 1–21. Retrieved from

http://www.icsao.org/fileadmin/Divers_papiers/KYoung-internetaddiction5.pdf

Dankie

Questions, comments

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