title:
Information Sharing for Academic Purposes: A Mixed Method Investigation into the Use of Social Networking Tools for Learning Among Undergraduate Students at Kuwait University
creator:
Alsaeedi, Farraj
subject:
Dissertations, Academic.
description:
Information sharing is a key information behavior carried out by college students in the current learning environment. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore their sharing behaviors for academic purposes using social media. The study examined different types and patterns of information sharing behaviors, motivations and challenges that influenced students’ information sharing behaviors, pre-steps taken before sharing information, types of information shared, situations and events that facilitated sharing, and how COVID-19 affected these activities. Based on the results, a new conceptual model was developed to deconstruct and explain these complex information behaviors. This study used an exploratory, sequential mixed method design. In Phase I, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 undergraduate students at Kuwait University. In Phase II, 683 students from different colleges at Kuwait University completed an online questionnaire. The study discovered extensive use of social media, especially WhatsApp groups, for sharing academic information. The main patterns of information sharing were: providing information (responding to requests or providing information voluntarily), exchanging information (direct information exchange or collaborative information sharing), and non-sharing (retaining or withholding information). Before sharing, the participants engaged in pre-steps such as evaluating information accuracy, providing instructions, and reviewing information with others. The findings indicated that the forces that most motivated students to share information were enjoyment in helping others, mutual interest, enhancing their reputation, and reciprocity. On the other hand, doubts about their self-efficacy, fear of their information being used for cheating, and competition among students were the primary factors that prevented students from doing so. A significant relationship was found between the participants’ age and their information sharing behaviors with older students tending to share information more actively and in more diverse patterns. Additionally, this study found that the three main types of information shared by undergraduate students for academic purposes were class news, updates, and announcements; summaries; and class notes and materials. The students were most likely to share information while completing learning tasks such as group projects, written assignments, presentations, and exams. Unsurprisingly, the students’ information sharing behaviors using social media increased markedly after the onset of COVID-19, which accelerated the move to remote learning. They noted that social media platforms offered advantages like instant communication, high usability, and connectedness. This study offers a comprehensive view of information sharing behaviors among students for academic purposes, and it expands the existing literature. It provides insights into how students share information, what steps they take before sharing, how they decide whether to share information, what types of information they share, and when their sharing happens. This dissertation makes a contribution by drawing a new model of college students’ information sharing behaviors on social media and by providing practical recommendations for stakeholders who are involved in supporting students’ information sharing.
publisher:
Simmons University (Boston, Mass.)
contributor:
date:
2022
type:
Text
format:
1 PDF (196 Pages)
identifier:
td_lis_2022_fa
source:
language:
English
relation:
coverage:
rights:
Material from the Simmons University Archives collections are made available for study purposes only. For more information, or to request rights to reproduce or reuse any material, contact the University Archives at archives@simmons.edu.