Motivation and Behaviour in the use of Social Media Services in University Of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology: A Comparative Study.

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Date

2015-07

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University of Ghana

Abstract

This study is about motivation and behaviour in the use of social media services among students of University of Ghana, Legon and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. This study used the survey methodology. This method led to the application of random sampling technique which made sure that 204 final year undergraduate major Sociology students from both Universities had equal and independent chance of being selected for the study. The following are some of the major findings of the study; whatsapp was found to be the most widely used social media tool in both institutions; chatting and keeping in touch with loved ones and maintaining distant relationships are the major factors that motivate students in both institutions to use social media sites. Polite posting and comments, seeking the consent of friends before sharing their photos and videos and tolerating people’s views and comments were identified to be the acceptable behaviour students in both institutions exhibit on social media sites whereas breaching the privacy of people, posting of images, videos and messages to embarrass people , sharing of too intimate and too detailed personal information, stalking people and sending sexually explicit materials on social media platforms and the use of rough or harsh language on social media were on the other hand identified to be the unacceptable behaviour students in both institutions exhibit on social media platforms. Break in internet connectivity on the other hand was identified as the main challenge students in both institutions face when using social media. The following are the recommendations of the study: integration of social media into the academic system, implementation of social media policy, improvement in internet facilities on campus and sensitization of students.

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Thesis (MPhil) - University of Ghana, 2015

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