Abstract:
Use of mobile devices such as Smart phones (SMP), Tablets (TAB), and Feature phones
(FP) to access internet through wireless Ethernet (Wi-Fi) has been popular among
undergraduates. This study aimed to investigate the trends of using these mobile devices
among undergraduates. Employing a cross sectional survey, data were collected from a
sample of 227 undergraduates selected proportionately from the faculties. Data were
gathered during one month period. When considering the types of mobile devices used,
70% of respondents form Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) and 75%
from Faculty of Management and Finance (FMF) are using FPs. Respondents form
Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology (FMST) and Faculty of Science (FOS) are
using SMPs 60% and 48% respectively. Use of FPs of females (38%) is higher than
males (26%). 3% of males from all faculties mostly use TABs while 16% uses SMPs.
Use of Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices to access internet showed a statistically significant
difference (p<0.005) among faculties. Multiple comparison through Dunns Bonferroni
approach shows a significant difference (p<0.05) in the Wi-Fi enabled devices use
between faculties.There was a significant difference (a= 0.015) between HSS and FOS
while a significant difference (a= 0.031) shown between FOS and FMF. Students from
both faculties, FMF and HSS are using less number of Wi-Fi enabled devices than the
students in the FOS. Students from the FOS may seek for more online information rather
than the students from Humanities. 34% of males and 27% of females got the ability to
access to Wi-Fi network from their mobile devices. It can conclude that there are three
categories of Undergraduates (when considering the mobile use) SMP users, TAB users
and FP users. Further the TAB and SMP user groups can be considered as advance
mobile users who use SMP and TABs with Wi-Fi facility to access internet services and
web applications. Thus the ratio of advance mobile users to FP users is highly important
in future library management practices. Thus factors such as gender ratio, faculty, and
the availability of wireless connectivity should be considered when implementing a
mobile dependent services through an academic library. The outcome of the research
will facilitate the library administration of the University of Ruhuna and other academic
institutions to determine the right time to introduce new mobile driven services and
factors that could be considered prior to introduce such services to academia.
