An Investigation of Social Media and E-Publishing Usage Among Jordanian University Students

Abstract

The study reported in this chapter investigated social networking sites (SNS) and e-publishing usage among undergraduate students at the University of Jordan. For this purpose, a 25-item questionnaire was developed, piloted and then administered to a sample of 240 respondents in the faculties of foreign languages and information technology. The questionnaire investigated three major issues: the extent of SNS usage such as Facebook and Twitter; e-publishing usage such as blogs, e-books, e-journals, online newspapers, and digital library; and finally the dangers or fears associated with SNS usage. Results indicated a widespread usage of SNS and a strong attachment to the SNS in general such as Facebook and to less popular ones such as Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, generally used to connect people from near and far. The respondents emphasized SNS as a means of socialization more than a learning medium, so sharing and exchanging information was the norm and e-publishing such as blogs, e-books, e-journals, online newspapers, and digital library usage was relegated to a minor position. This is reflected in the small percentages which these e-publishing aspects received in comparison with the high percentages SNS received as a means of recreation and socialization. As to the fears and dangers arising from the usage of SNS, they were reported to be similar to those encountered or expressed by users of different background nationalities, where a number of dangers were listed, the most important of which are lack of privacy, security risks, and identity theft.

Questionnaire

This questionnaire aims to investigate social media and e-publishing usage among college students. The researcher assures you that the information obtained in response to the items of the questionnaire will be strictly confidential and used solely for the purpose of academic research and will be used only by the researcher.

It is hoped that you will cooperate by providing answers to the following questions. Thank you so much

The Researcher

Prof. Riyad F Hussein

Dept of linguistics

The University of Jordan

• Age _______

• Sex _______

• Major _______

• Level _______

• Faculty _______

• University _______

1. How many hours do you spend online each week?

• 1–5 h

• 6–10 h

• 11–15 h

• 16–20 h

• 21–25 h

• More than 26

2. How many hours do you spend on social networks each week?

• 1–5 h

• 6–10 h

• 11–15 h

• 16–20 h

• 21–25 h

• More than 26

3. What is the social network that you constantly use?

4. How many friends do you have on this network?

• 30

• 31–60

• 61–90

• 91–120

• 121–150

• 151 or more

5. How often do you use your primary social network?

Always often sometimes rarely very rarely

6. What do you use your primary social network for? Rank them according to importance from 1 to 7, 1 being the most important

a to stay in touch with family and friends ( )

• a. to make new relations ( )

• b. to socialize and have fun ( )

• c. to kill time ( )

• d. to play games ( )

• e. to share photos, videos and video clips ( )

• f. to interact with other students ( )

7. Do you access your primary social network on your mobile or computer?

8. Do you have a Twitter account? Please circle Yes or No

9. If yes, how many Twitter followers do you have?

• 1–30

• 31–60

• 61–90

• 91–120

• 121–150

• More than 151

10. How often do you tweet?

Always often sometimes rarely very rarely

11. What are the other social networks for which you have created a personal profile? Rank them from 1 to 3, 1 being the most important

1-

2-

3-

12. What in your opinion are the risks associated with using social networking sites (Rank them from 1 to 7, I being the most dangerous)

• a. Exposure to pornography [ ]

• b. Lack of privacy [ ]

• c. Laziness [ ]

• d. Addiction [ ]

• e. Security risk and identity theft [ ]

• f. Sexual exploitation [ ]

• g. Health problems [ ]

13. Do you have a blogging page? Please circle Yes or No

14. If yes, how often do you blog?

Always often sometimes rarely never

15. Do you read other people’s blogs? Please circle yes or No

16. Do you use e-books? Please circle Yes or No

17. If yes, what kinds of e-books do you use?

Textbooks, dictionaries references fiction others specify

18. How often do you use them?

Always often sometimes rarely never

19. Do you use e-journals? Please circle Yes or No

20. If yes, how often do you use them?

Always often sometimes rarely never

21. Do you use online newspapers? Please circle Yes or No

22. How often do you read these newspapers?

Always often sometimes rarely never

23. Do you use the digital library of the university? Please circle Yes or No

24. If yes, how often do you use it?

Always often sometimes rarely never

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