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Research Paper

International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research ISSN (Online): 2347-1697

Volume 2 Issue 8 April 2015

Abstract

SNSs are becoming the essential part of the society to connect with each other. This paper discusses the awareness, purpose of use, frequency of use, and problems faced by the users during use of SNSs. This study is conducted with PG students of NIT Kurukshetra in various disciplines. This study is questionnaire based survey. The finding shows that the student of all disciplines uses the SNSs and there is no difference in using frequency of male and female students. The age group of 20-25 uses these sites most, and Facebook is the most using site. Mobile phones are the major tools to use SNSs. Most of student uses the sites to sharing photos, videos with friends and family. Majority of the student are satisfies with SNSs.

1. Introduction

Today, SNSs have become one of the largest platforms in the world to share real time information

for personal as well as for academic purposes to connect and expand their professional network.

Human being is habitual to live together in a society. Nobody in the world is independent to satisfy

their needs. So everyone is connected to each other to fulfill their needs. In digital age connected to

each other use the social networking sites (SNSs) like as facebook, Twitter, Google+, linkdeln, and

yahoo etc. One of such SNS, namely Facebook (founded in 2004), is considered to be the most

famous social networking site these days. Social networking sites, allows users to create a

personalised account that includes the information like; date of birth, hobbies, preferences, education

status, relationships status and personal interest, etc. (Zywica and Danowski, 2008, p.2.)i

According to Oxford Online English Dictionary (2010)ii social networking site is “the use of

dedicated web sites and applications to communicate with other users or to find people with similar

interests to one‟s own”. According to the Hindustan Times (2012)iii

, “Facebook has crossed over one

Use Of Social Networking Sites (SNSS) By PG

Students: A Study Of NIT Kurukshetra Paper ID IJIFR/ V2/ E8/ 96 Page No. 2950-2957 Subject Area

Library & Info.

Science

Key Words Social Networking Sites, Respondents, Google+, Twitter

Naveen Mehla

Professional Assistant Department of Library & Information Sciences National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra-Haryana

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ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)

Volume - 2, Issue - 8, April 2015 20th Edition, Page No: 2950- 2957

Naveen Mehla:: Use Of Social Networking Sites (SNSS) By PG Student s- A Study Of NIT Kurukshetra

billion milestone – the social networking site has now reached one out of every seven people on

earth”.

The following chart shows the various types of SNSs.

Figure 1: Various types of SNS

Available at: http://johnharder.com/wp-content/uploads/socialnetworking.jpg

2. Background To The Study

National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, Haryana is a premier Technical Institute of the

region. The institute started working as Regional Engineering College, Kurukshetra in 1963. Like

other Regional Engineering Colleges of India this institution too, had been a joint enterprise of the

State and Central Governments. This Institute was conferred upon status of Deemed University on

June 26, 2002. Since then it has been renamed as National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra.

The Institute started functioning in its present campus at Kurukshetra in 1965-66 with 120

students admitted in the first year of the Five-Year Courses of study for the B.Sc. (Engg.) Degree

courses in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. The annual intake was increased to 250

students in 1966-67. B.Sc. (Engg.) degree courses in Electronics and Communication Engineering

was added in 1971-72. In 1967-68 M. Sc. (Engg.) degree courses in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical

Engineering and in 1971-72, a Postgraduate diploma in Scientific instrumentation were also started.

In July, 1976 Part-Time M. Sc. (Engg.) degree courses in Electronics and Communication

Engineering and instrumentation were started. The First registration for the degree of Doctor of

Philosophy in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology was made in July, 1967.

About the NIT Library

The Library initially set up in 1965 has grown in size, collection and services. Presently NIT

Kurukshetra has a very spacious Library with good collection of documents which includes text and

reference books, video cassettes, CD- ROMs and large number of Print & Online Journals and e-

books. With its growing resources, space & services, the Library caters to the need of faculty,

research scholars and students.

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3. Review Of The Literature

Kumar And Kumar (2013) in their paper entitled „Use of Social Networking Sites (SNSs): A

study of Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India‟. The study shows that an important

finding of this study was that the use of SNSs is time consuming. The main purpose of using

SNSs were found entertainment by 92.66% of the respondents followed by sharing videos and

pictures, instant message and find information. Research scholars keep themselves updated by

surfing profile of each other, posting of messages, videos and photos, share professional and

personal information at international online platform. In the present era, SNSs have become one

of the largest online platforms in the world for sharing real time information.

Mahajan et al. (2013) in their paper entitled „Use of SNSs by the researchers in India: A

comparative study of Punjab University and Kurukshetra University‟. The findings of their study

shows that in PU, the main purpose of using SNSs is to find useful information, whereas the

main purpose of using SNSs in KUK is entertainment. Both of the university researchers should

start using such sites for academic/research purposes to gain information on the latest

developments in their field, seek opinions of other colleagues on their research outputs, etc.

Singh and Gill (2011)vi in their paper entitled „Use of Social Networking Sites by the research

scholars: A study of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar‟ determined the use and

effectiveness of such applications and research by the research scholars. The study found that

use of SNSs is very easy and user friendly. It is observed that most of the scholars are aware of

SNSs. The findings of the study also revealed that Facebook is the most popular SNSs among

research scholars of all disciplines.

4. Objectives

i. To find out the role of Social Networking Sites in creating awareness among the users of

ii. To find out the most popular social networking sites among the PG students;

iii. To know the purpose of use of social networking sites;

iv. To find out frequency of using social networking sites;

v. To know the satisfaction level of using social networking sites;

vi. To find out the problems being faced by the users while using Social Networking Sites.

5. Scope of the study

This research is only confined to the PG students of National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra

in various disciplines like as technology, management and computer.

6. Methodology

This study is based on a survey conducted at National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra

among the PG students through the instrument of a questionnaire. Total 150 questionnaires were

distributed and 80% (120) were received back after filling by the students.

7. Data Analysis

The Table 1 furnished below gives a brief account of the basic information of the respondents

covered under the study. Here it is seen that out of 120 respondents, 42 M. Tech. student, 38

M.B.A. student and 40 are M.C.A. students who are pursuing postgraduate in their respective

departments.

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Table 1: Status wise distribution

Status No. of Respondents Percentage (%)

M. Tech. 42 35

MBA 38 31.66

MCA 40 33.33

Total 120 100

Table 2 shows the gender wise distribution of the respondents which shows that 66 (55%) are male

respondents and 54 (45%) are female respondents, who were found using SNSs.

Table2: Gender wise distribution

Gender No. of Respondents Percentage %

Male 66 55

Female 54 45

Total 120 100

Table 3 presents the age wise distribution of respondents. The data shows that majority of the 60

(50%) of respondents fall between the age group of 20-25, 55 respondents (45.83%) fall between the

age group of 26-30, whereas 5 ( 4.17%) of respondents are the age group of 31+, who used SNSs.

Table 3: Age wise distribution

Age No. of Respondents Percentage %

20-25 60 50

26-30 55 45.83

31+ 5 4.17

Total 120 100

Table 4 presents the commonly used SNSs among the postgraduate students at NIT Kurukshetra,

India. The data depicts that 112 respondents (93.33%) are using facebook, 102 respondents

(16.66%) are using google+, 98 respondents (81.66%) are using Twitter and 18 respondents (15%)

are using linkdeln Social networking sites.

Table 4: Social Networking Sites

SNSs No. of Respondent Percentage %

Facebook 112 93.33

Google+ 102 85

Twiteer 98 81.66

linkdeln 18 15

Table 5 depicts the tools that are being used for accessing SNSs. The data shows that 86 (71.66%) of

respondents used Laptop for accessing these sites, while 64 (53.33%) of respondents use PCs and

102 (85%) of respondents use mobiles as a tool for accessing Social Networking Sites.

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Table 5: Means of Access SNSs

Tools No. of Respondent Percentage %

Laptop 86 71.66

PC‟s 64 53.33

Mobiles 102 85

Table 6 reveals that 97 respondents (80.83%) used SNSs to for family and friends, 85 respondents

(70.83%) used to find information, 87 respondents (72.5%) used to Instant message (chat) , 52

respondents (43.33%) used to participating in discussion, 104 respondents (86.86 %) used to sharing

photo, video, 60 respondents (50%) used to Sharing information regarding careers, seminar,

conferences, 90 respondents (75%) used SNSs to entertainment, 55 respondents (45.83%) used

making friends . Only 12 respondents (10%) used SNSs for other purposes like sharing experience.

Table 6 : Purpose of using Social Networking Sites

Purpose No. of Respondent Percentage %

For family and friends 97 80.83

To find information 85 70.83

Instant message (chat) 87 72.5

Participating in discussion 52 43.33

Sharing photos, videos 104 86.66

Sharing information regarding

careers, seminar, conferences

60 50

Entertainment 90 75

Making friends 55 45.83

Other purpose 12 10

Table 7 shows the friendship nature of the respondents of the study on Social Networking Sites. The

data depicts that 25 respondents (20.83%) have less than 20 friends on SNSs, 35 respondents

(29.16%) have 21-50 friends, 42 respondents (35%) have 51-100 friends and only 18 respondents

(15%) have more than 101 friends on Social Networking Sites. The data emphasized that SNSs can

be a good platform for finding new friends.

Table 7: Friends in SNSs

Friends No. of Respondent Percentage %

1-20 25 20.83

21-50 35 29.16

51-100 42 35

101+ 18 15

Total 120 100

Table 8 shows that respondents have less difficulty while using these sites. The data shows that only

4 respondents (3.33%) feels it is very difficult to use these sites while 6 respondents (5%) found

them quite difficult, 22 respondents (18.35%) feels average, on the other hand 35 respondents

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(29.16%) felt it is quite easy and finally 53 (44.16%) of respondents found them very easy to use

Social Networking Sites.

Table 8: Flexibility with SNS

Flexibility No. of Respondents Percentage %

Very difficult 4 3.33

Quite difficult 6 5

Average 22 18.35

Quite Easy 35 29.16

Very easy 53 44.16

Total 150 100

Below table 9 represent the various problem faced by the respondents in using SNSs. The majority

of the respondent (55%) expressed that they are facing problem while using SNSs „Lack of Time‟ 66

respondents, 8 respondents(6.66%) feel that it is lack of privacy, 6 respondents (5.%) feel that such

sites are lack of security, 4 respondents (3.34%) said that SNSs are not user friendly, 33 (27.5%) of

respondents pointed out poor connectivity of internet and only 3 (2.5%) of respondents said they

have lack of technical awareness.

Table 9: Problems faced in using SNS

Problems No. of Respondents Percentage %

Lack of time 66 55

Lack of privacy 8 6.66

Lack of security 6 5

Not user friendly 4 3.34

Poor internet connectivity 33 27.5

Lack of technical awareness 3 2.5

Total 120 100

Table 10 presents the satisfaction level of respondents using SNSs. Here out of 120 respondents, 31

(25.83%) of respondents remarked that it is most satisfied, 57 (47.5) respondents have mentioned as

satisfied, 25 (20.83%) of respondents have remarked partially satisfied and only 7 (5.84%) of

respondents mentioned that they are not satisfied while using SNSs. However, the majority of the

respondents indicated that they are satisfied with SNSs.

Table 10: Satisfaction from SNSs

Satisfaction level No. of Respondents Percentage %

Most satisfied 31 25.83

Satisfied 57 47.5

Partially satisfied 25 20.83

Not satisfied 7 5.84

Total 120 100

8. Findings of the study

The study conducted in NIT Kurukshetra it was founded that majority of respondents are

aware of the SNSs and have account on those;

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In the above study found that 66(55%) of respondents were male and 55(45%) of

respondents were female respondents;

It was found that majority of the respondents i.e. 50% were between the age group of 20-25

years;

Study found that facebook was the most popular SNSs used by all categories of respondents

followed by google+;

Finding of the study is that orkut is outdated SNSs;

Majority of the respondents i.e. 85% use mobiles for accessing SNSs, followed by Laptop;

The main purpose of using SNSs is Sharing photo, video followed by to interacting with

family and friends;

Majority of the respondents (35%) have between 51-100 friends followed by 29.16% of

respondents who have between 21-50 friends;

Majority of respondents 44.16% faced very easy while using SNSs followed by 29.16% who

found quite easy;

The study found that 55% of respondents were agree that the use of SNSs is time

consuming;

Majority of respondents (47.5%) were found satisfied from the use of SNSs followed by

most satisfied and partially satisfied.

9. Conclusion

The present study was focus on the use of Social Networking Sites by the Post Graduate students at

NIT, Kurukshetra, India. SNSs provide the various ways to the students to interact with each other.

The above study found that most of students are aware of social networking sites, facebook is the

most usable SNSs and mostly students use the SNSs sharing information and connected to the

people. PG students keep themselves updated by surfing profile of each other, posting of messages,

videos and photos, share professional and personal information at international online platform. In

the present era, SNSs have become one of the largest online platforms in the world for sharing real

time information. An important finding of this study was that majority of respondents using SNSs

through the mobile phones.

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