Post - Graduate Students Acceptance of Social Networking Sites: A Survey

Mangkhollen Singson, Assistant Professor Pondicherry University (India) manglien@gmail.com Ramarjuna Sunkara, Information Analyst Tata consultation Service (India) ramarjunj4u@gmail.com

Abstract
Social Networking Sites acceptance in Indian university is a new phenomenon with universities taking time to accept the importance of social networking online. This research paper examines the level of usage, acceptance and preference of different social networking in Pondicherry University campus. Hundred (100) respondents were given questionnaire out of which nine (9) undergraduate, eighty one (81) postgraduate and ten (10) research scholars participated in the survey. The research gave insight of the students community behavior in socialization behavior, based on their academic requirements. Random sampling of twenty (20) departments out of forty (40) departments in the university was provided with the questionnaire to campus residential student with Wi-Fi connectivity 247. The papers conclude with the light and few suggestion on making the social media feasible for digital librarian to horn their skill for meeting the different breed of digital consumers. Keywords: Social Networking Sites, Indian university students

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Introduction Consuming information the tradition way has taken a shift from paper format to digital format and the consumers in general have evolved into a new breed. Therefore understanding the consumer better remains the challenged in the digital village. Social networking sites have become a mainstream communication medium for thousands of teens and adults around the world. These sites encourages and enables people to exchange information, pictures or videos, and use blogs and private messaging to communicate with friends, others who share interests and at times even the world at large. According to Tim Finin et al (2005) a Social networks are explicit representations of the relationships between individuals and groups in a community. In the abstract, these networks are just simple graphs with nodes for the people and groups and links for the relationships. In practice, the links can encode all kinds of relationships familial, friendship, professional or organizational. Social networking can be seen as the practice of expanding knowledge by making connections with individuals of similar interests (Gunawardena et al. 2009,). Social media has revolutionized the medium of communication and networking in a whole new dimension and as a result this new media form cannot be avoided.

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

These social media sites have received a lot of attention from both non-profit organizations as well as profit oriented organization that has a motive of reaching out to larger communities. As a result of public pressure, social networking sites are improving their privacy controls. There is a counterbalancing pressure at the same time from businesses to decrease privacy. Social networking destroys what libraries were created for. MySpace, Face book and other such sites, don't belong in libraries any more than libraries belong in MySpace and Face book, but shying away from the challenges will only put fire to the problems and there is a need of an hour to look into the new form of medium in better understanding the use and functionality and putting it to ones advantage. As Scott (2004) states that it is better to join them then fight them. This article investigates the level of social media acceptance and their frequency of use and their preference. With the boom in social media invasion to digital world and the availability on the choice of medium, ranging from hand held portable devices to laptops. It is therefore a challenge as a digital librarian to market the library resources through the new media and reaching out to the user. Objective of the study As a digital librarian the ignorance of digital advantage would be a high price to pay. Reaching out to the users and knowing their use, preference and acceptance to the social media would be a challenge that digital librarian needs to look into a new light. When done properly, a social networking sites provides an option for digital librarians to develop rapport with users, extend general awareness of the digital collection, and establish the librarian as a knowledgeable, helpful, and easily accessible source of authoritative information regarding a given subject area (Schrier, 2011) Methodology The total population of the students in Pondicherry University is 4375 out of which 100 respondents were given questionnaire. Nine (9) undergraduate, eighty one (81) postgraduate and ten (10) research scholar participated in the survey. Random sampling of twenty (20) departments out of forty (40) departments in the university was provided with the questionnaire, based around on-campus residential student with Wi-Fi connectivity 247. Limitation of the study There were several limitations to the present study. First, the respondents (students) were occupied with the academic end semester examination and nostalgic in their responds thereby delaying collection of questionnaire. Secondly, the students population size (N=100) was a small sample size with a student population of four thousand plus student in the campus. Lastly, the sample populations were confined to twenty departments alone in a department of thirty eight in the university with primary objective of finding the on-campus resident student users.
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Data interpretation and analysis Data is interpreted using SPSS for simple tabulation and generation of percentage and Microsoft excel for generation of graft and illustration. From the questionnaires given to the student, the following tables and illustration shows detail of the given interpretation with percentage and illustration. The questionnaire is interpreted using simple percentage and graft for clear visualization: the questionnaires consist of twenty close ended. Respondents profile: Status of Respondents Undergraduate Students Postgraduate Students Research Scholars Total No. of Questionnaire No. of Responses Distributed 9 9 81 81 10 10 100 100 Table 1. Status of Respondents Response Rate (%) 9% 81% 10% 100%

The table 1 shows total number of the respondent is one hundred, consisted of eighty-one postgraduate students, ten research scholars, and nine undergraduate students. Gender: Category of Gender Undergraduate Students Postgraduate Students Research scholar Total Male 6(11.32%) Female 3(6.38%) Total 9(9.00%) 81(81.00%) 10(10.00%) 100(100%)
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41(77.36%) 40(85.11%) 6(11.32%) 4(8.51%) 53(100%) 47(100%) Table 2. Distribution of Respondents by Gender

The table 2 shows total number of the respondent consisted more of male respondent with 54% compared to female respondent with 46% (Mean=1.46, SD=0.501). Distribution of Respondents by Age Group: Category of Age Undergraduate Students Postgraduate Students Research Scholars
Total

18-20 yrs 9(28.13%) 23(71.87%) 0(0%)

32(100%)

21-25 yrs 0 (0%) 51(96.23%) 2(3.77%)

53(100%)

26-30 yrs 0(0%) 7(46.67%) 8(53.33%)

15(100%)

Total Percentage

32%

53%

15%

Table 3. Distribution of Respondents by Age

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

In table 3 distribution of age was concentrated around the age group of 21-25 years as post graduates concentrated the highest respondent with 18-20 (23%), 21-25 (96.23%) and 26-30 (46.67%) (n=81) with an average age of 24 years. Departments Chemistry Library & information science Earth science Food science Tourism Biochemistry English Bioinformatics Politics Social work Economic International business Applied psychology Physic Mathematic Computer science Statistics Commerce Mass communication French Total U.G 4 2 2 1 9 (%) 44.45 P.G 3 9 4 5 6 4 5 5 5 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 2 81 (%) 3.70 11.11 4.94 6.17 7.41 4.94 6.17 6.17 6.17 6.17 3.70 3.70 3.70 3.70 3.70 3.70 3.70 3.70 4.94 2.47 100 Research scholar 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 10 (%) 1 1 10 10 20 20 10 10 100 Total 8 10 4 6 6 4 5 5 5 5 6 3 3 7 6 3 3 4 5 2 100 (%) 8.00 10.00 4.00 6.00 6.00 4.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 6.00 3.00 3.00 7.00 6.00 3.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 2.00 100

22.22 22.22 11.11 100

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Table 4. Distribution of department-wise status of respondents Library & information Science students constituted the highest turnout with 9 respondent with11.11% (n=100) followed by Department of Tourism management with 6 respondent at 7.41%. The rest of the department were distributed more uniformity with Food science, English, Social work, Political Science and Bioinformatics with 5 respondent with 6.17% followed by Mass communication, Biochemistry, Earth science with 4 (4.94%) respondent each. Statistics, Commerce, Chemistry, Economic, International business, Applied psychology, Physic, Mathematics and Computer science respondent equally with 3 respondent each with 3.70% each and Department of French with 2 Respondent at 2.47%.

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

Average of active internet use for day: Description Dont use Less than 30 minute Less than 1 hours Less 2 hours More than 2 hours U.G 1 2 3 3 (%) 11.11 22.22 33.33 33.33 P.G 2 7 17 5 50 (%) 2.47 8.64 20.99 6.17 61.73 Research scholar 3 7 (%) 30.00 70.00 Total 2 8 19 11 60 (%) 2.00 8.00 19.00 11.00 60.00

Table 5. Average of active internet use for a day The table 5 shows Use of internet looks positive with high usage with 60% of the respondent using internet actively for more than 2 hours (Mean=3.93, SD=1.233) which on the other hand gives us a broader room to analyze and a positive environment to experiment. Users profile creation in social networking services: Social Networks Sites Facebook linkedIn Fliker Twitter Xing Myspace Bebo Friendster Vkontakte Youtube Orkut Livejournal Blogger Researchgate Ibibo U.G Research (%) scholar 7 77.78 68 83.95 10 100 21 25.93 3 30 12 14.81 8 80 5 55.56 23 28.40 7 70 2 2.47 2 20 3 33.33 8 9.88 10 100 2 20 1 1.23 4 40 4 44.44 32 39.51 9 90 9 100.00 61 75.31 10 100 1 1.23 10 100 3 33.33 23 28.40 8 80 3 3.70 6 60 2 2.47 3 30 Table 6. Profile on social networking services (%) P.G (%) Total 85 24 20 35 4 21 2 5 45 80 11 34 9 5 (%) 85 24 20 35 4 21 2 5 45 80 11 34 9 5

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Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

Figure 1. Diagram showing profile on any social networking services Undergraduate students preference of SNSs are Orkut 100%, Facebook with 77.78% followed by Twitter 55.56%, YouTube 44.44% and Blogger and MySpace with 33.33% were as post graduate showed more of diverse preference as compared to the undergraduate student with Facebook (83.95%) occupies the highest preferred followed by Orkut (75.31%), Youtube (39.51), Twitter (28.40%), Blogger (28.40%), linkedIn (25.93%), Myspace (9.88%), Fliker (14.81%), Xing (2.47%), Friendster (1.23%) and Livejournal (1.23%) with Vkontakte and Bebo showing absolutely no participation. On the other hand research scholars have a higher participation in Social Network except in Vkontakte. It was found that Facebook, Livejournal, Orkut and Myspace constituted the highest followed by Fliker with 8(follower), linkedIn (follower) with 3, Twitter (7 follower) , Xing (2 follower), Myspace (10 follower), Friendster (4 follower), Bebo ( 2 follower), Youtube (9 follower), Orkut( 10 follower), Livejournal (10 follower) Blogger (8 follower), Researchgate (6 follower), Ibibo (3 follower). Facebook is the ultimate choice with a total of 23% user (N=100) followed by Orkut 21% (N=100) as the most preferred social networking sites. Number of connections (Friends) in SNSs profile (on average): Description Less than 10 10-49 50-99 100-200+ Total U.G 5 4 (%) 55.56 44.44 P.G 43 31 5 2 (%) 53.09 38.27 6.17 2.47 Research Scholar 1 7 1 1 (%) 10 70 10 10 Total 49 42 6 3 100 (%) 49 42 6 3 100

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9 100 81 100 10 100 Table 7. Connections (Friends) on SNSs profile (on average)

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

Table 7 suggest that an average user of social networking sites have 25 as an average friend with undergraduate having less friends between 1-49 with 55.56% and 44.44% respectively (N=100), this may be due to the undergraduate limiting themselves to Facebook and Orkut whereas the post graduate and Research Scholars with higher diversity use of social networking sites have a higher number of friends with both groups falling at a category of having 100 or more friends with 10% and 2.47% respectively. This may be due to the respondent older experience in social networking site and their professional information needs beyond informal socializing as their diversity is seen with their profiles available in Research gate and live journal How many communities/groups are you a member of? Description None UP to 10 11-50 51+ U.G 8 1 (%) 88.89 11.11 P.G 37 44 (%) 45.68 54.32 Research scholar 1 8 1 (%) 10 80 10 Total 46 53 1 (%) 46 53 1 -

Table 8. Member of communities Table 8 tends to show that student are hardly interested in being a part of a community with undergraduate responding of 88.89% stating that they are not a member of any community, were as the post graduate and Research Scholar have higher no of community participation with a total respondent of 54% in a postgraduate stating that they are professional community or group of up to ten in numbers and a research Scholars stating positive responds to 80% in being a member of a group/community. Logging on to your favorite service(s): Description Im constantly logged on Several time a day Once in a few days Once a week U.G 3 2 2 1 (%) 33.33 22.22 22.22 11.11 P.G 37 29 9 5 (%) 45.68 35.80 11.11 6.17 Research scholar 4 5 1 (%) 40 50 10 Total 44 36 12 5 (%) 44 36 12 5 2

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Occasionally (less 1 11.11 1 1.23 2 than once week) Table 9. How often do you usually log on to your favorite service(s?)

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

Figure 2. Diagram showing the duration of logging hours in SNSs Research scholar responded positively that they are constantly logging to their favorite SNSs with 45.68% and Post graduate with 37% and undergraduate with 33.33%, therefore the younger generation student are seen to be avoid user of SNSs. Duration of time spent in social networking: Research (%) Total (%) scholar Less than 5 minutes 1 11.11 2 2.47 3 3 5-10 minutes 2 22.22 5 6.17 1 10 8 8 11-30 minuets 1 11.11 22 27.16 3 30 26 26 30+ minutes 5 55.56 52 64.20 6 60 63 63 Table 10. Spending time with favorite social services networking site(s) per session Description U.G (%) P.G (%)
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Figure 3. Spending time with favorite social services networking site(s) per session
Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

Majority of the students tend to spend more than 30 minutes in their social network with 63% (N=100) of the student stating that they browse their favorite SNSs between 30 or more minutes. Reason for joining a community/group in a social networking service: Description It is relevant, active and interesting community It will let me stay up-to date with the community news/updates U.G 2 5 (%) 22.22 55.56 P.G 14 26 (%) 17.28 32.10 Research (%) scholar 2 2 5 5 Total 18 46 (%) 18 46

I believe this will help me to 1 11.11 36 44.44 2 2 39 get new useful connections I would like to have my say 1 11.11 5 6.17 1 1 7 and a membership is required Total 9 100 81 100 10 100 100 Table 11. Reason for joining with community/group in social networking service of respondents

39 7 100

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Figure 4. Diagram showing students reason for joining community/group in SNSs The table 11 and figure 4 shows finding suggest that majority of the student among Research Scholar (55.56%) feels that joining the community would provide them with the latest update on community domain and post graduate students (44.44%) believe that by connecting to SNSs will provide them new useful connections. Interestingly there was a low responds to member wanting to have a say in the community through SNSs with research scholars (1%) having responded the least followed by post graduate (6.17%) and undergraduate (11.11%). Therefore this finding
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suggests that the students use SNSs for updating and enabling them to connect to new member that will be resourceful to their information needs. Finding information: Description don't use use very rarely use quite often use often use regularly Total U.G 1 2 3 2 1 9 (%) 11.11 22.22 33.33 22.22 11.11 100 P.G 5 7 9 49 11 81 (%) 6.17 8.64 11.11 60.49 13.58 100 Research scholar 3 4 2 1 10 (%) 30 40 20 10 100 Total 6 12 16 53 13 100 (%) 6 12 16 53 13 100

Table 12. Finding information

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Figure 5. Diagram shows student use of SNSs for finding information The finding suggest that students log into SNSs for seeking, with 53% of the student responded positively to using SNSs for gathering information. Use of SNSs for opinions: Description don't use use very rarely U.G 1 1 (%) 11.11 11.11 P.G 3 8 (%) 3.70 9.88 Research scholar 2 2 (%) 20 20 Total 6 11 (%) 6 11

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

use quite often use often use regularly

2 4 1

22.22 44.45 11.11

10 53 7

12.35 65.43 8.64

2 3 1

20 30 10

14 87 9

14 87 9

Table 13. SNSs for opinion seekers

Figure 6. Diagram shows find get opinions

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Table 13 and figure 6 illustrate that the students uses SNSs (87%) with post graduate student (65%) seen as the highest respondent followed by research scholars with 44.45% and the undergraduate (30%). Interestingly the student indeed uses SNSs for ascertaining views and opinion (Mean=2.75, SD=1.149) Use of SNSs for entertainment: Description dont use use very rarely use quite often use often use regularly U.G 1 2 1 4 1 Research Scholar 11.11 4 4.94 1 22.22 7 8.64 3 11.11 8 9.88 1 44.45 55 67.90 5 11.11 7 8.64 1 Table 14. Entertain yourself (%) P.G (%) (%) 10 30 10 50 10 Total 6 12 10 64 9 (%) 6 12 10 64 9

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

Figure 7. Diagram showing entertain meter The table 14 and figure 7 shows the target groups of students with an average age of 24, it is of no surprise that the majority (64%) of them uses SNSs for entertaining themselves with a range of undergraduate (44.45%) saying they often use, followed by Post graduate (67.90%) and Research Scholar (50%). SNSs for Socialization: Description dont use use very rarely use quite often use often use regularly U.G 2 2 1 2 1 Research scholar 22.22 8 9.88 22.22 9 11.11 1 11.11 11 13.58 2 22.22 45 55.56 5 11.11 8 9.88 2 Table 15. Use of SNSs for Socialization (%) P.G (%) (%) 10 20 50 20 Total 10 12 14 52 11 (%) 10 12 14 52 11
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Figure 8. Diagram shows Socialization

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

The table 15 and figures 8 shows a clear picture that SNSs are use mainly for socializing were 52% of the student use often and about 10 % of the student felt that they dont use SNSs for socializing purpose. Post graduate (55.56%, N=81), research scholars (22.22%, N=10) and undergraduate (50%, N=9) feels that they often use SNSs to socialize with his peer group. Getting up-to-date with their friend life: Description don't use use very rarely use quite often use often use regularly U.G 1 1 1 4 1 (%) 11.11 11.11 11.11 44.45 11.11 P.G 5 6 6 58 6 (%) 6.17 7.41 7.41 71.60 7.41 Research Scholar 1 1 6 2 (%) 10 10 60 20 Total 6 8 8 68 9 (%) 6 8 8 68 9

Table 16. Staying Up-To-Date with Friends Life

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Figure 9. Diagram shows stay up-to-date with friends life In 2007 Pew study shows 91% of teens reported to using SNSs for staying in touch with people they already know as friends and see a lot, and 82% reported staying in touch with friends they know but rarely see making friends of people students have never met in person (16.8%) or about finding someone to date (4.9%). Males are more likely to use SNSs to find someone to date (8.2) than female (3.0%). illustration from the table and figure above indiacates a similar responds with student using SNSs for getting updates about their friends, it was seen that 68% (N=100) of the students use SNSs for getting up-to-date information about their friends and keeping in touch with the development besides other activities. Undergraduates students (44.45%, N=9) in the campus said they often use SNSs to stay in touch with their friends, were
Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

as postgraduate (71.41%) and research scholars (60%) feels that SNSs helps them bond with their friends online. Sharing of experience in SNSs: Description dont use use very rarely use quite often use often use regularly U.G 1 2 1 3 2 (%) 11.11 22.22 11.11 33.33 22.22 P.G 11 12 16 36 6 (%) 13.58 14.81 19.75 44.44 7.41 Research scholar 1 1 1 4 3 (%) 10 10 10 40 30 Total 13 15 17 43 11 (%) 13 15 17 43 11

Table 17. Share your experience

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Figure 10. Diagram showing willingness in sharing experience The students were open in sharing their opinion and experience in SNSs. 40%, 44.44% and 33.3% of the undergraduate, postgraduate and Research Scholars agreed to their wiliness to use SNSs for sharing ideas and opinion and 30%, 7.41% and 22.22% of the undergraduate, postgraduate and research scholars felt that they use SNSs regularly for sharing opinion and experience, thereby sharing of knowledge between peer group prove to be a positive sign in SNSs environment. Participation in professional communities discussions: Description Im a community moderator/group officer U.G (%) P.G (%) Research scholar 3 (%) Total (%)

11

13.58

30

14

14

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

Im an active participant in terms of comments and discussion topics starting Im rather a reader than an active commenter I do not participate in discussions, just watch communities for updates

22.22

22

27.16

30

27

27

1 6

11.11 66.67

33 15

40.74 18.52

2 2

20 20

36 23

36 23

Table 18. Participation in professional communities discussions

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Figure 11. Diagram showing participation in professional communities discussions Student responds to active participation in professional communities shows a SD=0.899 with 66.67% of the undergraduate responded with no participation in discussion forum but rather watch communities for update. This is an indication that the undergraduate students are amateur in their knowledge and intellectual output and lack confidence in active participation, were as the research scholars (30%) on the other hand showed a positive participation and contribution in discussion forum with intellectual inputs, community moderator and group officer and Postgraduates (13.58%.) responded to active contribution in community discussion. Frequency of updates: Description Daily Im subscribed to RSS/have a feed on my profile Several times a week - while visiting discussions interesting for me U.G (%) P. G 38 29 (%) Research (%) scholar 5 2 50 20 Total (%)

2 1

22.22 11.11

46.91 35.80

45 32

45 32

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Once a week - as I receive a weekly activity summary Less than once a week

2 4

22.22 44.45

8 6

9.88 7.41

1 2

10 20

11 12

11 12

Table 19. Checking SNSs communities for updates?

Figure12. Diagram shows how often do you check communities for updates? The table 19 and figure 12 shows lesser number of undergraduate (44.45%) students responded to checking for community updates on regular basis and that they prefer weekly update (22.22%). But, interestingly the research scholar (50%) admitted to subscribing community updates through RSS feeds and postgraduate (35.80%) students responded to visiting several time a week while logging on to discussion forum and a majority (46.91%) admitting to subscribing to RSS feed on daily basis. Confidence in information obtained via professional communities: Description Yes Yes if it comes from my friends/connections Yes if comes from communities moderators Yes if it comes from company official representatives U.G 2 3 1 1 (%) 22.22 33.33 11.11 11.11 P.G 25 36 8 3 (%) 30.86 44.44 9.88 3.70 Research (%) Scholar 2 20 5 1 1 50 10 10 Total 29 44 10 4 (%) 29 44 10 4
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Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

No, Im always critical to such kind of information and check other sources

11.11

9.88

10

10

10

Table 20. Confidence in information obtained via professional communities

Figure 13. Diagram showing confidence in information obtained via professional communities The table 20 and figure 13 shows 50% of the research scholar 44.44% of the postgraduate, 33.33% of the undergraduate admitted to trusting the information provided through SNSs that comes from their friends. On the other side of the picture none of the research scholars were ready to check or verify the information, were as postgraduate (9.88%) and undergraduate (11.11%) feels that they do check for the information receive through SNSs. The research scholars (10%), Undergraduate (11.11%) and post graduate (3.70%) are of the view that information received through the community moderator is reliable. Participation of any groups/communities related to your college/university: Description Yes, unofficial student groups Yes, official college/uni profile (page) Yes, alumni section U.G 3 (%) 33.33 P.G 45 (%) 55.56 Research scholar 2 (%) 20 Total 50 (%) 50
44

2 2

22.22 22.22

27 7

33.33 8.64

3 3

30 30

32 12

32 12

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

I dont know that my college/ university has a 2 22.22 2 2.47 2 20 6 profile on any of the networks Table 21. Membership of groups/communities related to college/university

Figure 14. Diagram shows membership of groups/communities related to college/university The table 21 and figure 14 shows the student participation in university SNSs communities turn out to be what was anticipated. Majority of the Student (50%, N=100) feels that they are involve in unofficial student groups rather than the official one created by the institution. 55.56% of the post graduate students, 20% of the research scholar and 33.33% of the undergraduate feel that they are active in unofficial student groups were as 30% of research scholars, 33.33% of postgraduate and 22.22% of the undergraduate admitted to their involvement in university official SNSs. Highlighting relationship of college/university at SN profile(s): Description Yes, I listed my college/ uni as a place where I am studying / studied No, Im not highlighting my place of studies U.G (%) P.G (%) Research scholar 7 3 (%) Total (%)
45

7 2

77.78 22.22

66 15

81.48 18.52

70 30

80 20

80 20

Table 22. Highlight relationships to college/university with SN profile

Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

Figure 15. Diagram showing students highlighting his relationship to college/university with SN profile The students responded positively to listing college/university in their personal profile. 81.48% of postgraduate agreed to mentioning or listing their place of study in their personal profile and 77.78% of the undergraduate, and 70% of the research scholars responded to listing their place of study. Interface comfort level in SNSs : Description Comfortable Fairly comfortable Not at all U.G 7 2 (%) 77.78 22.22 P.G 67 14 (%) 82.72 17.28 Research (%) Total Scholar 6 4 60 40 80 20 (%) 80 20 46

Table 23. Comfort level of interface in SN

Figure 16. Diagram showing comfort level in SN interface The degree of comfort shows a positive responds with postgraduate (82.72%), research scholar (80%) and undergraduate (77.78%) were seen to be rather contended and comfortable with the interface of different social networking sites interface. Preference of SN from conventional Email:
Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

Description Yes No

U.G 7 2

(%) 7.78 22.22

P.G 72 9

(%) 88.89 11.11

Research scholar 9 1

(%) 90 10

Total 88 12

(%) 88 12

Table 24. Preference of SNSs to conventional E-mail

Figure 17. Diagram shows Preference of SNSs to conventional E-mail The table 24 and figure 17 shows a high preference of SNSs over conventional E-mail with 90% of the research student in the survey preferred SNSs over convention E-mail from information and similar response were with the postgraduate (88.89%). There was a little responds from the undergraduate student (22.22%) that felt E-mail to be still important for networking purose. A recent study conducted by M.D. Roblyer et al. (2010) indicated that students' uses SNSs and email both email and Facebook with equal frequency (z=.915, p=.36), while faculty were significantly more likely to check email than Facebook (z= 4.48, p=.00). These data indicate that students communicate as much with Facebook as they do with technologies traditionally used in colleges (e.g., email). However, even faculty who have Facebook accounts do not turn to them for daily communication as much as they do email.

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Conclusion and Recommendation

Results of this small-scale survey in one location indicate that students differ somewhat in their current and anticipated uses of SNSs such as the currently-popular Facebook. Of particular note is the significant difference between the perceived role of this tool as social, rather than educational. Students seem much more open to the idea of using Facebook instructionally followed by orkut and research scholars have a high application of SNSs for their academic endeavor. The duration spends for social networking among the student has increase tremendously with the implementation of Wi-Fi and the availability of portable devices that comes cheap in the market. However, as the rapid evolution in societal perceptions and uses of the Internet has shown in the last decade, attitudes toward technologies tend to change over time. This data picturesque could be only a prologue to a much greater role to come. Yet! Despite its rapid growth and current popularity, it is still unclear whether or not Facebook and similar resources have a future as a mainstream communication tools in our society, let alone
Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)

as supports for education. Heffernan (2009) reports a trend toward disillusionment in the midst of Facebook's popularity noting, Facebook attracted 87.7million unique visitors in the United States in July (of that year). As people are still joining Facebook and compulsively visiting the site, a small but noticeable group are fleeing some of them ostentatiously. Reasons for this observed exodus range from simple boredom with the activity of online networking to a movement toward other tools for social networking and communication, e. g., Twitter. Schwartz (2009) is among those who see benefit to these forms of communication, supporting the argues that I now see Facebook as part of a larger commons, a space in which we stay connected (it helps) keep my metaphorical door open, and that increases the potential for real time, face-to-face conversations that are rich with connection, depth, risk taking, and growth. The results of the study reported here provide limited and tentative evidence that, as of this time, students see that potential more than do the faculty who teach and mentor them. Unless this tendency changes and faculty perceive Facebook and its sister technologies, both current and those to come, as additional opportunities for educational communication and mentoring, SNSs may become yet another technology that had great potential for improving the higher education experience but failed to be adopted enough to have any real impact. In any case, study results reported here indicate it remains a trend worth watching and tracking with future research snapshots. From the above data interpretation of the survey, the findings suggest that: 1. Among the SNSs Facebook (80%) is the highest use followed by orkut (75.31%) in Pondicherry University. 2. Research scholar (45.68%) and a total of 63% (N=100) of the student often log on to their favorite SNSs. 3. Students (60%) are well contended with making new friend and getting relevant information thereby updating their information needs. 4. Student (53%) often uses SNSs for gathering information. 5. Students average age is 24 and a majority (64%) of them uses SNSs for entertainment. 6. 50% of the students were open in sharing their opinion and experience in SNSs. 7. Majority (44%) of the students trust the information in social networking sites because that information comes from friends or community groups. 8. Student of Pondicherry responded positively to listing college/university in their personal profile 9. (80%) of the students were found to be comfortable SNSs except a few in undergraduate. 10. 82% of the students prefer SN from conventional Email. For time constrain being the limiting factor and consistence in pursuing the respondent to cooperate, the research turns out to be on a positive. Adaptation of SNSs among library professionals will help bond library professional professionally and enhance research
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productivity through resource sharing and networking. Educating the young mind on information technology literacy and ethics from grass root level will provide a high usage of SNSs. Community/ university pages for academic perusal should be initiated and encourage which would again encourage the use and awareness of electronic resources.

References
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Asia Pacific Journal of Library and Information Science. Vol.2 No.1 (Jan Jun 2012)