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INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF MALAYSIA
KULLIYAH OF ISLAMIC REVEALED KNOWLEDGE AND
HUMAN SCIENCES
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RKUD 2999
SEM 1: SESSION 2010/2011
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LECTURER: DR.WAN SABRISTUDENT:
HAIRUNNISAA HASAN: 0713566GROUP: 1
RESEARCH PROPOSAL:A Study on the Patterns of Mobile Phone Usage among
IIUM Students.
Abstract
Mobile phone has becoming an important device in the modern life. With most of
its users are from the young people. Therefore the purpose of this mini research is to
understand the usage pattern of mobile phone among International Islamic University of
Malaysia (IIUM). Through random sampling techniques, data were collected by means of
questionnaire from 15 undergraduate students. Results suggest that IIUM students in
using mobile phone used it mainly in the aspect of communicating with their family and
friends, whereby exchanging of information is the main scenario and topic matters of
mobile phone usage. More than that, this mini research reveals the attitude of mobile
phone usage among IIUM students, which can still be considered as being reasonable and
practical and not being too obsessed in using mobile phone in their daily life.
1. Introduction
Mobile phone technologies are now in the hands of almost 2.5 billion people of the
6.47 billion people on this planet1. In its early time, mobile phone is seen as a luxury and
only be used by businessmen. However in this millennium era today, mobile phone is
becoming part of an important necessity in this modern life, owned by small kids to youth
in the colleges and universities, without limitation to the businessmen only. These
increase in numbers of mobile phone users are indicator of the growth and reach of
mobile phones among large number of population in this world.
1 http://www.cellular-news.com/story/19223.php, 2.5 Mobile Phones In Use. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
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Furthermore mobile phone is widely used as a common means of communication
in this millennium era. This is made possible by the easy access to mobile phone, with
many kiosks and shops selling mobile phones are made available at many place. Adding
to it, more and more telecommunication service providers are offering best bargains to
mobile phone users, resulting in the increase of mobile phone users each day.
Mobile phone today go beyond just voice communication and provide a multitude
of other features and services including text messaging (SMS), multimedia messaging
(MMS), photo display and recording, video playback and recording, calendaring, etc.
Hence each day new models of mobile phones are being introduced to the market, with
each having a more sophisticated and latest technologies and features in it.
Seeing this change in the usage pattern among mobile phone users, the researcher
is called up to explore the usage patterns of mobile phone users among International
Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), as a start to understand the usage pattern of
mobile phone among its students, hoping to extract in general the patterns of mobile
phone usage among IIUM students.
2. Problem Statement
As mobile phone technology evolves and improves, it is becoming an affordable
option for mobile communication; consumers from all walks of life are taking advantage
of the available technology. With the ability to access email or surf the internet from
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anywhere, even students, stay at home moms and retirees are turning towards mobile
phones to help them with their mobile communication needs. These days, mobile phones
that are internet and email capable are no longer just the tools of those involved in
business, but also of people of different usage background, especially the university
students, which are among the high number of users of mobile phone.
However there is no research being done in defining the usage patterns of mobile
phone among International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) students. The
researcher sees the need in understanding the usage patterns among IIUM students
because of the increase in usage of mobile phones in the campus. Hence encouraging the
researcher to understand the social change it brings to the IIUM students as a whole.
Therefore the researcher is called up to write this research, as a platform to
explore the usage patterns among the IIUM students, also it is hoped that this research
will encourage a more comprehensive research to be done in the future.
3. Research Objectives
1. To explore number of mobile phone users among IIUM students.
2. To understand the main reasons cited behind the possession of mobile phones.
3. To discover the main usage of mobile phones scenarios among the IIUM students.
4. To acquire the attitudes of IIUM students in using mobile phone.
5. To discover what are the other possible activities that students can do.
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5. Research Questions
1. How many number of mobile phone do each of IIUM students posses?
2. What are the main reasons behind the possession of mobile phones?
3. What are the scenarios for the use of mobile phones?
4. What are their attitudes in using mobile phones?
5. What are the possible scenarios of the IIUM students without mobile phones for
one day?
6. Justification of Research
This research is expected to deliver an overall picture of mobile phone usage
among IIUM students, by looking at the reasons behind the usage of mobile phones, also
by understanding the main topics and scenarios put forward in the usage of mobile
phones. On top of that, this research also tries to explore the budget allocated for credit
top up, also length of time allocated for mobile phone usage, hence gaining an
understanding on the usage patterns of IIUM students’ mobile phones users.
7. Research Methodology
This research is a questionnaire-based method, whereby the researcher collects all
the relevant data from the IIUM students, a random sampling was done in collecting the
data. The questions are formed by comparing it with previous findings done by various
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researchers. Therefore some modifications are made to the questions to suit the
background of IIUM students.
8. Literature Review
McGuigan2 (2005) in his article Towards a Sociology of the Mobile Phone stated
that, the mobile phone is a prime object for sociological attention both at the macro and
micro levels of analysis. He studied the strengths and weaknesses of four methods for
studying the sociality of the mobile phone, that are: 1) Social demography; 2) Political
economy; 3) Conversation, discourse and text analysis; and 4) Ethnography, the different
kinds of knowledge they produce, and the interests they represent. He arranged his
writing by putting forward the researches of different sociologists that wrote on mobile
phone usage by using the above four different methods. He highlighted all those ideas put
by the sociologists and criticizes some of the ideas put forward by them3.
McGuigan writing really helps the researcher in giving a very broad view of
different methods applied by sociologists that had done research on mobile phone usage.
Thus helps the researcher in understanding the change in usage patterns of mobile phone
from different perspectives.
2 His name is Jim McGuigan from Department of Social Sciences, Loughborough University, UK.3 McGuigan (2005, April). Towards A Sociology of The Mobile Phone. An Interdisciplinary Journal on Humans in ICT Environments. Volume 1(1). p. 45-57. Retrieved September 30, 2010, from http://www.humantechnology.jyu.fi/articles/volume1/2005/mcguigan.pdf
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While in a research done by Hazrina Hassan4 and Mohd. Hairul Nizam Md. Nasir5
(2008, September) The Use of Mobile Phones by Older Adults: A Malaysian Study, put
forward on the recent growth of mobile phone usage is an observable fact that crosses all
age and gender boundaries in Malaysia. Mobile phone is seen as a significant role in
assisting older people in many ways, especially in terms of maintaining social
relationship, providing sense of safety and accessibility. However, these older person
seems to be a neglected user group in the design of mobile phone devices and services.
Hence, their paper reports on the issues which are related with the design of mobile
devices and services for older people aged 56 years old and over in Malaysia6.
Furthermore this research revealed the preferred physical design of mobile phones
for older persons. It is clear from their study that mobile phone design and usage for older
persons is not necessarily limited to or based on old style, out-of-date model, and
supporting only very basic calling functions. They come up the findings that, there is a
need to find functions which can be customized to older user needs and perceived to be
senior-friendly and reliable.
4 Hazrina Hassan received her bachelor in computer science majoring in Networking from the University Putra Malaysia. Currently, she is serving as a Researcher in the Department of Software Engineering, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya and currently pursuing her Master in Computer Science by Full Dissertation from University Malaya. Her research for her Master’s dissertation concentrated on Incorporating software agent in PSP Automated Tool.5 Mohd Hairul Nizam Md. Nasir received his Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons.) specializing in Software Engineering and Masters of Computer Science (by full research) from University of Malaya in 2003 and 2005 respectively. He is currently serving as a lecturer in the Department of Software Engineering, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya. His area of specialization includes software process, software quality, programming languages, open source development for web-based application and software process. His research for his Master’s dissertation concentrated on automating a modified Personal Software Process.6 The use of Mobile Phones by Older Adults: A Malaysian Study. Sigaccess Newsletter, Issue 92, September 2008. p. 11-16.
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This research gives an insight to the researcher on different usage patterns for the
older people, which somehow directing the researcher to the different usage pattern
among the younger people, that are more sophisticated with the use of different features
and applications in the mobile phones.
The researcher also came across a thesis written by Sayan Chakraborty (2006,
April), Mobile Phone Usage Patterns Amongst University Students: A Comparative Study
Between India and USA7. This thesis put forward a study that is done in universities in
both India and USA, that discusses on the most common usage of mobile phones amongst the
university students in a mature (USA) versus a developing market (India)? What patterns can
be found across cultures and demographics? Are there any cross-cultural differences in
the perception of phone usage in public places? What is the prevalence of non-traditional
or non-voice applications of mobile phones in the studied sample?
As mobile phones today go beyond just voice communication and provide a
multitude of other features and services including text messaging (SMS), multimedia
messaging (MMS), photo display and recording, video playback and recording,
calendaring, etc. This exploratory study investigated usage patterns of, and attitude about,
mobile phones among university students in a mature market (United States) and a
rapidly growing new market (India) by surveying students in each country.
7 A Master’s paper by Sayan Chakraborty submitted to the faculty of the School of Information and Library Science of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Information Science in April 2006. Retrieved September 30, 2010, from http://ils.unc.edu/MSpapers/3152.pdf.
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This thesis dissertation is really beneficial to the researcher, in gaining ideas in
forming questions for the questionnaire. More than that, it also helps the researcher to see the
comparison between university students of different countries, hence giving a better
understanding of the social change in different countries, pertaining to mobile phone usage.
9. Tentative Chapterization.
CHAPTER 1: Introduction.
A. Introduction.
B. Statement of Problem.
C. Research Question.
D. Objectives of Research.
E. Justification of Research.
F. Methodology of Research.
G. Literature Review.
CHAPTER 2: Mobile Phone:
A. Definition of Mobile Phone.
B. Historical Background of Mobile Phone.
CHAPTER 3: Mobile Phones in Society:
A. The Importance of Mobile Phone nowadays.
CHAPTER 4: Mobile Phone Usage among IIUM Students.
A. Types (model) of mobile phone.
B. Reasons behind the Usage of Mobile Phones.
CHAPTER 5: Conclusion.
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10. Conclusion
Mobile phone is now seen as part of human life in this millennium era, whereby its
applications is now widely accepted among users of different ages, from as young as nursery
children to as old as our grandparents. It has also becoming a very competitive competition
between companies and service providers in inventing and providing best mobile phones
features and services to attract more and more users.
With advancement in technologies, it helps in improving and maximizing the
different features and applications in mobile phone, hence it is expected to see a change in
usage trends, especially among the youth in upcoming years. As mobile phone is now making
its users more globalize, just like the internet users and who knows, mobile phone in the
future will replace the use of personal computers (PC), laptops and notebooks.
However, all these advancement in mobile phone, is in need to be studied, in order to
identify, all the changes that it brought to the users, from the aspects of their social life,
attitudes and behaviors of users, the impact it brought to life nowadays, also the new culture
that is created, that comes from this excessive use of mobile phone among different ages and
institutions.
Therefore it is hoped that this exploratory research may be useful as a preliminary
background for others to extend further research pertaining to mobile phone users in the
future.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Sources:
Hazrina Hassan, Mohd Hairul Nizam Md. Nasir. (2008). The use of Mobile Phones by
Older Adults: A Malaysian Study. Sigaccess Newsletter, Issue 92, September
2008.
McGuigan, J. (2005). Towards A Sociology Of The Mobile Phone. An Interdisciplinary
Journal on Humans in ICT Environments. Vol. 1 (1). Retrieved September 30,
2009, from
http://www.humantechnology.jyu.fi/articles/volume1/2005/mcguigan.pdf.
Sayan Chakraborty. (2006). Mobile Phone Usage Patterns Amongst University Students:
A Comparative Study Between India and USA. Retrieved September 30, 2009,
from http://ils.unc.edu/MSpapers/3152.pdf.
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Secondary Sources:
Esharenana E. Adomi. (2006). Mobile Phone Usage Patterns of Library and Information
Science Students at Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. Retrieved September
30, 2009, from
http://southernlibrarianship.icaap.org/content/v07n01/adomi_e01.htm
Mizuko Ito. Mobile Phones, Japanese Youth, and the Re-Placement of Social Contact.
Retrieved September 30, 2009, from
http://www.itofisher.com/PEOPLE/mito/mobileyouth.pdf.
(2006, September 8). 2.5 Mobile Phones in Use. Retrieved October 1, 2009, from
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/19223.php.
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Appendix A
Mobile Phone Usage Survey
This survey is done to collect data for my Research Methodology (RKUD 2999) to
investigate the usage patterns of mobile phones among International Islamic
University of Malaysia (IIUM) students.
The survey is anonymous and no information that might personally identify you will
be collected during the survey.
1. Do you possess a mobile phone?
Yes No
2. When you start using mobile phone?
Primary school
Secondary School
Matriculation Centre
University
3. Why did you start using a mobile phone? Rank 1 or more of the items that apply.
Please number the box in order of preference from 1 to 5
To use in case of emergency or personal safety
Everyone I know had one
To keep in touch with friends and other social contacts
To keep in touch with parents and family
For information access (phone numbers, internet and etc)
Others: ___________________________________________________.
4. How long have you been using mobile phone?
Less than 1 year
More than 1 year, please specify ____________________.
5. How many mobile phones do you possess?
One only
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2
3 and more
6. How often do you use text messaging or SMS service?
Please choose only ONE of the following:
Once a day
Multiple times a day
1 to 5 times a week
Rarely or once every few weeks
Never
7. What are your common mobile phone usage scenarios? Select and rank one or
more items.
Please number each box in order of preference from 1 to 9
Staying in touch with friends
Staying in touch with family
Discuss schoolwork
Check e-mail
Web browsing
Listen to music or radio
Watch movie
Calendaring and appointment
Clock and alarm
Other, please specify _________________________________________.
8. When is your mobile phone likely to be in silent or vibration mode?
Please choose all that apply:
While in class
While in the Library
Attending programmes, talks or lectures
At hospital
At a movie
Sleeping
Phone is never in silent or vibration mode
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Other, please specify __________________________________________.
9. When is your mobile phone turned off?
Please choose all that apply:
My phone is never switched off
While in class
While charging the phone
While sleeping
Other, please specify __________________________________________.
10. What time of the day do you usually use your mobile phone?
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late night
11. Budget allocated for your mobile phone credit top up per month.
RM 10 and less
RM 30 to RM 50
RM 50 and more
12. Important features or applications that MUST be included in your mobile phone.
Please number each box in order of preference from 1 to 7
Camera
Videophone/3G
Text Messaging
Multimedia Messaging
Mp3 or Mp4
Radio
Wifi
Bluetooth
Others, please specify _________________________________________.
13. Length of time allocated for mobile phone use per day
1 hour or less
15
2-3 hours
3 hours and more
14. What are the topics or subject matters of your mobile phone usage?
Please number each box in order of preference from 1 to 5
Academic matters
Family matters/affairs
Love matters/affairs
Social matters
Religious matters
Other, please specify __________________________________________.
15. What are the benefits you gain by using mobile phone?
Please choose all that apply:
Promote interpersonal relationships
Assisted me in obtaining academic information quickly
Helped me to exchange information at anytime
Using the multi-features and application of the mobile phone
Other, please specify __________________________________________.
16. What will it be like to live without mobile phone for one day? Please state your
comment.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
******Thank You******
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