THE EFFECT OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE BEHAVIOR OF IKOM STUDENTS

 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

In this section, the researcher will discuss the background of the study, the

statement of the research problem, the research question, the purpose of the study, the

objective of the study, the hypothesis of the study, the importance of the study, the scope

of the study, the operational definition and also the summary of the chapter. The study

that will be conducted by the researcher focuses on the effect of using social media on

the behavior of IKOM students.

1.2 Background of the Study

Bryer and Zavattaro (2011) mention that social media brings together various

technologies including blogs, wikis, network platforms (social networks), virtual worlds

and media sharing tools that serve social purposes with an emphasis on social interaction,

facilitation, collaboration possibilities and cross-party experimentation.

Various social network applications have been created as a communication

medium such as Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, WhatsApp and Twitter applications which

result in addiction to their users, especially university students. The popularity of social

media is undeniable, plus social media can be accessed just by using a smartphone. The

spread of sensational news makes social media the most important medium and much

loved by Malaysians. Uncontrolled use of social media can have a negative effect on

behavior.

The official website of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia

Commission (2020) shows that the average age of 20-24 years is the highest internet user

of 34.1%. This clearly proves that the influence of internet users is very high for

university students. Through the same official website, the average daily internet usage

is for 5-8 hours a day. Places to access the internet in educational institutes are as much

as 8.2%. The highest use of devices to access the internet is a smartphone which is 98.7%

and the highest online activity is online communication which is 98.1%. The highest

social media application usage is Facebook which is 91.7% and the highest

communication application is WhatsApp which is 98.7%. Statistics that have been

released show that university students are easily influenced by what they browse. There

is no doubt that there are university students who use social media as a medium to gain

new knowledge.

This entire study uses a quantitative method in which the researcher focuses on

the impact of social media use on the behavior of IKOM students. The researcher has

decided to find out the level of social media use of IKOM students. In addition, the

researcher will study the effect of social media use on the behavior of IKOM students.

1.3 Problem Statement

Users, communities and organizations have greater access to information, social

networks and communication mediums due to the emergence of social media. The

process of delivering and sharing information online is aided by social media

applications. Users interact and communicate more efficiently because social media

applications become an important medium. New media and the latest technology are used

by consumers in Malaysia in their daily lives for social, economic and political activities.

The growing use of social media applications allows users to build relationships by

sharing information.

One of the avid users of social media applications are students. Students will live

in a digital life in the future. Most users of applications on the Internet such as social

media are between the ages of 18-34 years. The issue and impact of social media use will

be discussed to identify the impact of social media use on the behavior of IKOM students

because research in this area has not yet been done. In addition, this study will give

priority to students who are active with the use of social media applications such as

Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, Whatsapp and so on.

1.4 Research Question

There are several questions that will arise based on this study. Here are some of

the research questions:

i) What is the level of social media use by IKOM students?

ii) What is the effect of using social media on the behavior of IKOM students?

iii) What is the relationship between the level of social media use and the behavior of

IKOM students?

iv) Is there a relationship between the effects of social media use on the behavior of

IKOM students?

1.5 Research Objective

This study will be conducted by the researcher to examine the relationship

between the level of social media use and the behavior of IKOM students. There are

several research objectives that have been set in this study. The objectives are as follows:

i) Identify the level of social media use by IKOM students.

ii) Identify the impact of social media use on the behavior of IKOM students.

iii) Identify the relationship between the level of social media use and the behavior of

IKOM students.

iv) Identify the relationship between the effects of social media use on the behavior of

IKOM students.

1.6 Hypothesis

The research hypothesis that has been formed to achieve this objective is as follows:

i) There is a relationship between the level of social media use and the behavior of IKOM

students.

ii) There is a relationship between the effect of social media use on the behavior of IKOM

students.

1.7 Research Scope

Overall, the scope and limitations of this study focus on the relationship between

the level and impact of social media use on the behavior of IKOM students. This study

will be conducted to focus on IKOM students only. Therefore, the results of this study

cannot be generalized to students from other universities. Even so, this study can be used

as a reference source for the general public.

1.8 Significance of the Research

The study conducted by the researcher has its own importance. The importance

of this study can be categorized into several parties namely users, authorities, government

agencies and academics.

The importance of this study to users is that this study is able to give awareness

about the level of social media use on behavior. The importance of this study to users is

that this study is able to increase users' knowledge about the use of social media. The

importance of this study to users is that users can take steps to control the level of social

media use to ensure that they are not excessive in using social media.

The importance of this study to the authorities is that this study is able to provide

some awareness information about the use of social media and steps to control the level

of social media use. As a result, the authorities will make every effort to strengthen the

law to curb the abuse of information technology and social media.

The importance of this study to the government will open the eyes of government

agencies to the level of awareness and the impact of social media use affecting the

behavior of a user. Therefore, the government will actively carry out awareness

campaigns about the importance of controlling the level and impact of social media use

on the behavior of social media users.

The importance of this study to academics is that this study is able to add to

academia's reading of the level and impact of social media use on the behavior of social

media users. This study will give reference to the academic side to do more research on

the use of social media in more depth and more detail for the public reading.

Therefore, the research conducted by the researcher to some extent is able to give

importance to several parties as stated by the researcher such as users, authorities,

government agencies and academics.

1.9 Operational definition

The use of the internal terms of a study must be stated concretely and in detail

about a specific meaning to avoid confusion and misunderstanding that may occur later.

Therefore, here are some words that may cause confusion.

1.8.1 Definition of Social Media

Aspridis, Kazantzi and Kyriakou (2013) say that "social media is a new term that

enters drastically in life daily human and high-speed idols include social networks, games

interactive, a space to establish international friendships and communicate effectively

common throughout the world.

1.8.2 Definition of University Students

Law Insider says that a university student is an individual who is enrolled and

attending the university or any other institution providing technical or professional

education whether part-time or full time.

1.9 Chapter Summary

In summary, Chapter 1 discusses the introduction to social media use and student

behaviour, which leads to a discussion about the effects of social media use on behaviour,

which leads to the problem statement. Furthermore, the study's goal is to investigate the

relationship between the level of social media use and the effect of social media on

behaviour.

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The study's highlight is a statement that includes facts to help reinforce the

researcher's main goal in conducting the study. In the study, the researcher will present

and analyse the pros and cons of several previous studies, which will be used to generate

ideas and inspiration for a new study. The researcher will present the theory used, Media

Dependency Theory, as well as previous studies that have a theory selected and the study

conducted by the researcher, in this chapter 2. Past studies reviewed by the researcher in

Chapter 2 provide support for the idea that will be presented by the researcher in the

study to be conducted.

2.2 RESEARCH VARIABLE

According to Siew Pien Lee, Hanis Athirah Zamimi, Sharifah Munirah Syed

Elias and Ashikin Atan (2021), their study focuses on the addiction of smartphone usage

among Malaysian secondary school students in Kuantan. Their research focuses on how

frequently students use their smartphones each day. However, none of the researchers in

this study are focusing on the two independent variables. The study focused on the

smartphone, and the students intended to use the smartphone for a variety of reasons.

Their study also did not consider the impact of smartphone addiction on secondary

students.

According to Tayana and Xavier (2018), Their research focuses on the

technological addiction known as smartphones. Unlike other studies, the goal of this

study is to review all relevant literature on a similar topic: smartphone addiction. Both

researchers intended to reach a conclusion based on either. Whether or not smartphone

addiction is real. Tayana and Xavier (2018) concluded that there is insufficient evidence

from an addiction standpoint to confirm the existence of smartphone addiction.

Furthermore, both researchers believe that users who intend to use their smartphones

more frequently than usual are the problematic users, rather than considering it an

addiction because smartphones are not addictive.

2.3 Level of Social Media Use

Social media allows students to virtually connect with family and friends in a

variety of ways. Students' use of social media platforms is steadily growing and

changing. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and other social media platforms

are currently the most popular. Students use social media to share memories,

communicate, and keep up with current events. The average university student spends

six to eight hours per day on social media.

2.4 Effect on Student’s Behavior

The impact of social media on IKOM students' behaviour is classified as either

positive or negative. Positive effects of social media use on behaviour include being

encouraged to try something new, following behaviour on social media, expressing

feelings with friends, being free from control, becoming more courageous, helping

friends who are hurt, not cyberbullying, and others. Imitating video actions, threatening

someone, neglecting studies, and feeling stressed are common negative effects of social

media use on student behaviour.

2.5 SOCIAL INFLUENCE THEORY

Kelman (1958) proposed Social Influence Theory that define an individual’s

attitudes, beliefs and subsequent actions or behaviors are influenced by referent others

through three processes which are compliance, identification and internalization. Each

of the three processes can be represented by a function of the three determinants of

influence. Stephen Kwol (2020) states that the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice/Behavior

theory argues that knowledge positively affects the attitude and attitude of an individual

in turn influences practice or behavior.

2.6 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

According to Jasmi (2012), the conceptual framework explains the form of

research, the direction of research, and the level of research in a nutshell. Future

researchers will also benefit from this conceptual framework. The researcher has

constructed a conceptual framework based on the highlights of the literature as well as

the objectives of this study, according to the study to be studied.

Researchers can conclude that excessive use of social media will affect a person's

behaviour based on the literature highlighted in previous studies. Social media users who

understand proper usage will act wisely by limiting their use of social media.

Based on previous research, the researcher decided to conduct the study between

IKOM students because university students are among the most frequent users of social

media. The conceptual framework that was developed was supported by the findings of

the researcher's study and will be explained in greater detail in the following chapter.

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework of the Level Use of Social Media

2.7 Chapter Summary

Finally, chapter 2 discusses previous research on the effects of social media use

on student behaviour conducted by previous researchers. The findings of previous studies

aided the researcher in generating ideas and inspiration for a new study. As a result, the

new study will focus on university students who use social media and the steps taken by

university students to ensure that their use of social media does not influence their

behaviour.

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION

In this chapter 3, the researcher will discuss the methodology that will be used in

conducting this study. This is for the purpose of giving disclosure and explanation of

how the researcher conducts the study, the data collection method done by the researcher

as well as the method used by the researcher in analyzing the data that has been collected

in this study for ensure the accuracy of the data obtained through the study conducted.

Among the things that will be discussed in this chapter 2 are research design, sampling

and study respondents, data collection procedures, study instruments, as well as data

analysis.

3.2 Research Approach

The researcher has chosen to use a quantitative research approach. Quantitative

research is research that uses quantitative data that can be obtained measured through a

measurement process and requires measuring tools such as questionnaires. According to

Bordens and Abott (2014) quantitative research is a research method in which the

collected data is represented by numbers that can be analyzed with descriptive and

inferential statistics that are widely available. In addition, Walker (2010) mentions that

quantitative research also involves measuring people to answer questions. Zikmund,

Babin, Carr and Griffin (2013) stated quantitative research shows research objectives

through evaluation empirically involving measurements and numerical analysis.

3.3 Research Design

The research design plays an important role in conducting the research because it

is a guide to the researcher in achieving the objectives that have been set as well as being

able to answer the stated research questions. The study conducted by the researcher aims

to unravel the relationship between the level of social media use and the behavior of

IKOM students. Because the research that will be carried out by the researcher uses

quantitative methods, the researcher will choose descriptive research in an effort to

complete this research. Descriptive research developed by Husserl (2019) aims to

describe systematically and in detail the population, conditions, and phenomena in a

study.

3.4 Population and Sampling

The sample of this study consists of IKOM students at Universiti Malaysia Perlis

aged between 19 and 26 years who always use social media in their daily lives. A simple

random sampling was chosen in conducting this study. This is because the personal data

and information of IKOM students who are respondents for the study conducted by the

researcher are confidential and cannot be disclosed arbitrarily to allow the researcher to

choose individuals who want to be respondents in this study. A total of 234 IKOM

students samples at UNIMAP will be selected from a population of 600 IKOM students

at UNIMAP and the researcher will give equal opportunities to all samples. This

sampling technique is the result of Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) recommendations

regarding the sample size that can be used in a study.

3.5 Instrumentation and measurement

The main instrument for this study is a questionnaire. This questionnaire was used

to obtain quantitative data. The development of this questionnaire is based on

questionnaires contained in previous studies conducted by previous researchers. The

researcher will use the questionnaire from Haslina Abu Bakar & Mohd Mahzan Awang

for the questionnaire in part A and part B. While for the questionnaire in part C, the

researcher will use the questionnaire used by Nurul Solehah Che Rumli and Zakiyah

Jamaluddin (2019). to form questionnaires that meet the objectives and research

questions about the impact of social media use on IKOM students.

The questionnaire is divided into three parts, namely the demographics of the

respondents, the level of social media use and the effect of social media use on the

behavior of IKOM students. Respondents need to fill out the questionnaire provided

online by marking a "likert scale" that coincides with their level of agreement with the

questions asked through the questionnaire. Instructions for using the "likert scale" will

be explained in the questionnaire prepared by the researcher because each question has

a different answering method. This is intended to facilitate the researcher in analyzing

the data that has been collected throughout the conduct of this study. The following are

the items contained in the questionnaire distributed to the respondents.

Through this Part A, there are questions that include the demographics of the

respondents such as age, gender, and race.

In Part B, there are questions about the level of social media use. The researcher

will use questionnaires from past researchers Haslina Abu Bakar & Mohd Mahzan

Awang for the questionnaire in part B.

1) Amount of social media owned

2) Routine when browsing social sites

3) Frequency of using social sites in a day

4) Social media app of choice

In Part C, there are questions about the effect of social media usage on the

behavior of IKOM students. The researcher will use questionnaires from past researchers

Nurul Solehah Che Rumli and Zakiyah Jamaluddin for the questionnaire in Part C such

as:

Social media has a positive effect on behavior practice:

1. I was motivated to do something new

2. I do positive things

3. I rarely use less words polite/obscene

4. I help my friend if he is hurt by others opponent

5. I have never been involved in cyberbullying

Social media has a negative effect on behavior students:

1. I often imitate the actions of videos watched in the media social

2. I engaged in cyber love with a chat friend the newly known

3. I often damage public facilities

4. I threatened someone

5. I feel depressed if I get criticism from others through social media

The questions contained in the distributed questionnaire are in the form of a

"likert scale" for questions in part C help facilitate the respondents to answer all the

questions. While in the section, the questions are nominal. The respondents are expected

to be able to answer all questions transparently and honestly. The way to be done by

respondents in answering this question is very easy, by marking anywhere the part or

answer that is felt to be suitable and accurate for the respondents own The level of the

"likert scale" provided by the researcher in the questionnaire are as many as 5 scales

namely:

1) Strongly disagree

2) Disagree

3) Not sure

4) agree

5) Strongly agree

3.6 Type of Analysis

Data analysis is the process of examining, categorizing, arranging, or otherwise

recombining evidence to address the study's initial objectives. The data obtained from

the questionnaires were analyzed using a technique called "open coding". This allows the

researcher to classify and categorize data, as well as identify patterns and draw

conclusions. As she worked through the data, the researcher made up codes. In this

manner, the researcher searches for common dominant themes that appear in the data

transcripts. After assigning codes to various segments, the researcher groups and

categorizes related codes. The codes are used to help name the categories.

3.7 Chapter Summary

In conclusion, chapter 3 provides a comprehensive explanation of the research

methodology. The researcher completed the study using quantitative research methods

in this study. Descriptive and inferential analysis is the right research method for this

study. In chapter 3, it is also clear that the researcher follows established procedures and

methodologies to ensure that the established goals can be achieved.

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