USE OF SOCIAL NETWORK SITES BY THE STUDENTS

Use of Social Network Sites by the Students

R.H.N. Nandasiri(WGB 090013)

M.G. Saseeka Panditharathna(WGB090014)

Research Foundation in Library and Information Science – WXGB 6108

Master of Library and Information Science Degree

Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology

University of Malaya

October, 2009

Abstract

Purpose of the Study:

The social network sites are mainly used to keep social bounds by creating virtual events through Social Networking Sites(SNSs). Year 2002 upwards number of SNSs were rapidly increased. New technologies and concepts of image sharing, file sharing, collaborative work are facilitated through those sites. Many electronic survays are conducting for measuring  popularity of SNS. Aim of this research is also to clarify what is the popularity of selected sites.

Methodology :

The study was designed to examine the usage of social network sites by students of Faculty of Computer and Information Science(FSKTM). It is to find out the range of SNSs being using by FSKTM students, to what extent they are using those facilities and features provided by those web sites and to examine the variation of user satisfaction. The sample of the study is 30 students of FSKTM, 10 postgraduate students and 20 undergraduate students. Equal number of male students and female students are from each group. Research team gathered quantitative data through a highly structured questionnaire. The gathered data was analysed by using charts and graphs.

Findings  and Conclusion :

Same as other studies the research team was able to find out that Facebook is the most popular SNS among FSKTM students. Most of the students are still bounded into tradintional services and it does not seems an adequate usage of SNSs. But small group is using file sharing feature for academic pupposes too. Another finding is eventhough Facebook is the most popular among them, most of them are waiting for new inovations. Those two finding should be highlighted and may be helpfull to create a virtual acadmic community of FSKTM students.