Psychological Factors as Correlates of Computer Application Usage in Data Analysis among Postgraduate Students in University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
The study investigated on the computer attitude, self-efficacy level and anxiety as factors associated with the use of computer in data analysis among post graduate students of the University of Port Harcourt. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were respectively answered and tested. A correlational design was adopted. A stratified sample of 364 students based on their mode and year of study, that is, Ph.D (2011/2013 = 427) Masters (2011/2012 = 2274) and Postgraduate Diploma (PGD 2012/2013 = 1376) were drawn from the population of 4.077. Hence the sample size was drawn using Taro Yamen formula. Four instruments were used for data collection and the reliability of the instruments were ascertained using the Cronbach alpha method and showed reliability coefficients of’ 0.67, 0.77, and 0.72 and 0.94 for computer attitude, self-efficacy, anxiety and use of computer respectively. Data analysis was done with Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics for answering and testing the hypotheses. Results revealed that there are low positive and significant relationship between computer attitude of post graduate students, positive, moderate and significant relationship between computer self-efficacy of post graduate students and negative, strong and significant relationship between the students computer anxiety level and their use of computer applications in data analysis. Based on the results recommendations were made including that government through the Federal and State Ministries of Education should ensure that knowledge of computer is incorporated in admission requirement of post graduate students.
Keywords: Computer applications. Attitude, Data analysis, Research statistical soft wares and computer soft wares, Self-efficacy Anxiety
Psychological Factors as Correlates of Computer Application Usage in Data Analysis among Postgraduate Students in University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
The study investigated on the computer attitude, self-efficacy level and anxiety as factors associated with the use of computer in data analysis among post graduate students of the University of Port Harcourt. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were respectively answered and tested. A correlational design was adopted. A stratified sample of 364 students based on their mode and year of study, that is, Ph.D (2011/2013 = 427) Masters (2011/2012 = 2274) and Postgraduate Diploma (PGD 2012/2013 = 1376) were drawn from the population of 4.077. Hence the sample size was drawn using Taro Yamen formula. Four instruments were used for data collection and the reliability of the instruments were ascertained using the Cronbach alpha method and showed reliability coefficients of’ 0.67, 0.77, and 0.72 and 0.94 for computer attitude, self-efficacy, anxiety and use of computer respectively. Data analysis was done with Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics for answering and testing the hypotheses. Results revealed that there are low positive and significant relationship between computer attitude of post graduate students, positive, moderate and significant relationship between computer self-efficacy of post graduate students and negative, strong and significant relationship between the students computer anxiety level and their use of computer applications in data analysis. Based on the results recommendations were made including that government through the Federal and State Ministries of Education should ensure that knowledge of computer is incorporated in admission requirement of post graduate students.
Keywords: Computer applications. Attitude, Data analysis, Research statistical soft wares, Self-efficacy Anxiety, computer soft wares