English Language Butchered: A Study of the Correlational Relationship Between Text Messaging Frequency and the Instance of Jargon in Formal Writing

The rapidly evolving text messaging phenomenon among teenagers and young adults is noteworthy. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between text messaging frequency and use of text messaging jargon in formal writing. The sample consisted of 152 Year 11-13 secondary school students (68 males and 84 females) ranging from ages 14 to 18. The participants were taken from three Secondary Schools and Colleges in the greater Wellington area. This study used a non-experimental quantitative design; specifically, a correlational research design. A ten- item questionnaire was used to assess general text messaging behaviours and text messaging frequency. The participants‘ formal writing pieces were also assessed and text messaging jargon forms such as alternative phonetic spelling, vowel deletion and alphanumerisms were identified. The participants‘ language ability (represented by their NCEA scores for the previous year) was also assessed. The results revealed that the participants sent an average of 95 text messages per day with girls averaging about 126 messages per day while the boys averaged 64 messages per day. Overall, the research revealed that there was a weak negative correlational relationship (-0.01; p=.986) between frequency of text messaging and instance of text jargon in formal writing. Therefore, the principal conclusion of the study was that the two variables, frequency of text messaging and instance of jargon in formal writing were not statistically related

Applying an Extended Task-Technology Fit for Establishing Determinants of Mobile Learning: An Instant Messaging Initiative

The high proliferation of mobile instant messaging (MIM) among university students creates opportunities for a new wave of mobile learning. However, correlational methods for assessing factors that influence student performance impacts on MIM platforms for learning are blurry. The task-technology fit theory has been widely used in the past in predicting performance impacts of users after using new technology. Despite the momentum gained by this framework in the information systems community, it lacks focus on user characteristics. The purpose of this study is to develop an extended model for task-technology fit through an integration of individual antecedent characteristics. Data were collected from 223 participants using a survey questionnaire. The analysis was performed using the partial least squares approach to structural equation modelling. The findings of the study confirmed the original task-technology fit hypotheses considered in this study. Study findings associated with individual antecedent characteristics indicate that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of the academic use of the MIM positively influence task-technology fit, while social influence was found to have no significant bearing on task-technology fit

OMG break a leggg lol: Digital discourse-pragmatic variation in a theater-based community of practice

This thesis investigates the structure and use of language in the digital correspondences of a university community centered around the practice of making theater. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach combining variationist and interactional sociolinguistic techniques, this study analyzes the function of three digital language phenomena (LOL, OMG, and typographic lengthening). All three variables are shown to position discourse participants in relation to the broader community audience while contributing their particular pragmatic meanings to an interaction. Both LOL and OMG are also shown to be sensitive to syntactic structure and at times to serve as discourse markers. In addition, use of “digital language features” is shown to be significantly impacted by relative chronology, discourse structure, and (to a limited extent) community role. These results provide support for ongoing processes of grammaticalization in digital discourse and demonstrate the importance of digital language and discourse for building ties in this community of student artists.Master of Art

Perceived mobile interactivity influence on usability and mobile marketing acceptance in the informal hair-care business

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Strategic Marketing 2016The African hair-care business has become a multibillion-dollar industry, stretching from India to china attracting global retailers such as Unilever and L’Oréal. The African hair-care market will continue to grow, especially in the informal sector where it is said to employ about 1.5 people per business on permanent basis. In order for small businesses’ performance to improve in emerging markets, especially in the informal sector, improving their marketing skills is quite essential. Mobile marketing is cost effective and can be utilised to benefit both marketing practitioners and consumers. This is imperative in the informal hair-care industry, where businesses generally lack financial resources and therefore do not have a budget to spend on marketing and advertising. The mobile phone therefore becomes an important marketing channel to reach customers and increase profitability in informal hair-care businesses, yet there has not been much academic research conducted on this and little is known about the factors that might influence mobile marketing acceptance. The purpose of this study is therefore to bridge the gap by investigating perceived mobile interactivity influence on usability and mobile marketing acceptance in the informal hair-care industry in South Africa. A quantitative study was conducted using a sample of 312 informal hair-care business operators in the Johannesburg area. Given the nature of the informal sector, a nonprobability sampling method, known as convenience sampling, was used for data collection. For analysing and interpreting data, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach was utilised. The study findings indicate that perceived interactivity dimensions (control, responsiveness and nonverbal information) have a positive effect on mobile phone usability and lead to mobile marketing acceptance. However, the findings showed a negative relation between perceived personalisation and mobile phone usability. This study aims to contribute to mobile marketing literature, be of benefit to Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) policy makers and add value to the field of marketing. Key words: perceived control, perceived responsiveness, nonverbal information, perceived personalisation, mobile phone usability, mobile marketing acceptanceGR201

The effectiveness of web 2.0 in marketing academic library services in Nigerian universities: a case study of selected universities in South-South Nigeria.

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2017.The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of using Web 2.0 to market academic libraries services in three purposively selected universities in South-South Nigeria. The following research questions were addressed: 1) What are the Web 2.0 tools used by academic libraries in South-South Nigeria? 2) To what extent do academic libraries in South-South Nigeria use Web 2.0 tools to market their services? 3) What policies do academic libraries in South-South Nigeria have to guide the implementation of Web 2.0 tools for effective marketing of their services? 4) What are the attitude and perception of librarians in South-South Nigeria towards the use of Web 2.0 tools to market their services? The post-positivism paradigm was used to underpin the study with an exploratory survey research design. The population of the study consisted of librarians and students in the institutions surveyed. Purposive random sampling was used to select the respondents. The validity and reliability of the data collection instruments were achieved through the piloting and triangulation. Survey questionnaires and semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to sort, code and analyse quantitative data, while thematic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The results revealed that librarians and students in the selected universities in South-South Nigeria were active users of Web 2.0 tools. The results further revealed that the most used Web 2.0 tools were Facebook, Twitter, Instant Message, and Internet Forum. Moreover, it was found that Web 2.0 tools were being used to promote library services, reach a new audience of potential users, push library news and press releases to users and provide quick updates about the services to users as well as provide reference services online. The results showed that librarians and students in the institutions surveyed have positive attitude and perception towards the use of Web 2.0 tools, and librarians desire to use Web 2.0 tools. Students were interested in using Web 2.0, as librarians were anxious to learn modern ways of marketing library services. The results revealed a lack of policies to guide the implementation of Web 2.0 tools for the marketing of library services in the institutions surveyed. The results found the need to optimise the use of Web 2.0 tools to market library services through training of librarians, the provision of stable and/or alternative power supply, the provision of adequate funding and facilities for the implementation of Web 2.0 tools. This study has implications for practice, policy, methodology and theory. From the practical perspective, the study creates awareness about using Web 2.0 tools to market academic library services widely to users anytime anywhere. The study also provides baseline information for improving access and use of library services in an environment of rising cost of journals and other information resources. The study also provides information upon which relevant training programmes for librarians and students can be based to enhance provision and use of library services respectively. As far as policy is concerned, the study provides a framework for developing relevant policies and availing necessary resources to leverage opportunities created by new technologies for effective marketing of library services to the users. Theoretically, the study contributes towards validating UTAUT in an academic library environment and from a developing country perspective regarding the constructs of behavioural intention, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions. The study recommends among other things the provision of adequate budget to libraries for information technology infrastructure development, capacity building, creating enabling and conducive institutional environment through relevant policies to optimise the use of Web 2.0 tools. The study also recommends the infusion of Web 2.0 into the General Studies (GS) curriculum, a compulsory course at the entry level into the university that exposes students to liberal education

Understanding Student Experiences Using Smartphones as Learning Tools

While mobile technology is ubiquitous in higher education, facilitating student engagement and learning through educational technology remains minimally understood. The problem this study addressed is the gap in research about how online graduate students utilized smartphone technology for learning and what factors led to their adoption of this technology. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how mobile learning is being performed through smartphones by education graduate students in the online environment. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was used as the conceptual framework for this study. The research question asked how online graduate students in Master of Education degree programs describe their learning experience related to the four dimensions of the UTAUT when utilizing smartphone technology. Ten online graduate students from various U.S. universities were interviewed. Data were recorded, transcribed, and coded using UTAUT preidentified categories to create themes related to the UTAUT constructs. Study findings showed that online graduate students expected to perform educational tasks on their smartphones by accessing course content and communicating with faculty and peers. Students also expected the effort involved in the use of smartphones to be minimal. Study findings further demonstrated online graduate students were mostly self-sufficient when exploring ideas for smartphone integration and when issues arose. Results of this study may provide positive social change by helping stakeholders teach students how to benefit from use of their mobile technology for learning

The e-teen phenomenon: a conceptual model for new media technology use and appropriation

Text in EnglishBorn at a time of abundance of technology, including new media, e-teens have their lives woven around the use of new media technologies to the extent that they virtually do everything with the aid of these technologies, including learning, playing, socialising and communicating. E-teens, besides, demonstrate marked expertise in the use of these technologies. Although there have been various studies done on this group of users supported by models and theories on the use, gratifications and appropriation of new media technologies, the premise of this study was on two assumptions. First, there are limited studies that have been conducted in the sub-Saharan African context, especially, Ghana. Second, most available theories and models that guide the study of e-teens’ use, appropriation and the use of new media technologies are generalized and do not sufficiently highlight the unique attributes and gratification needs that are tied to their developmental stage. In light of these assumptions, the study was undertaken to provide empirical evidence on the types of new media e-teens have access to; the types of new media used by e-teens in their scheme of things and e-teens’ purposes for using new media. It also sought to find out the gratifications sought and obtained from the use of new media technologies by e-teens; the key features of new media appropriation and experience among e-teens and to identify the features of new media technologies which are most appealing to e-teens. The other objective, which serves as the main contribution of this study, was to develop a conceptual model representing new media use and appropriation among e-teens, thereby filling the theoretical or conceptual gap that exists in this context. The study adopted a quantitative approach whereby data was collected using close-5ended questionnaires. The target population were teens from age 13 to 19 in senior high schools in the Greater Accra region of Ghana, selected using a simple random sampling. The results of the study show that, overall, the most popular new media technology that e-teens had access to and owned was the smartphone. Leading among the apps that e-teens found to be appealing were educational, entertainment and information/news, with communicative and participatory features of new media technologies appealing to e-teens highly. Also, educational, sociability and social inclusion, respectively, were the most popular gratifications sought and obtained by e-teens. It is submitted that social inclusion, educational and sociability gratifications are considered to be directly in line with the unique developmental needs of e-teens. However, it is recommended, among other things, that educational use of new media, which was one of the strong points for new media use, should be further encouraged as new media provides borderless opportunities forlearning. The researcher believes that the conceptual model for e-teen use and appropriation of new media technologies provide a firm ground for further research on topics related to this subject matter. To provide support and substance to the e-teen model, other researchers are encouraged to test and extend it where necessary. In conclusion, the findings provide evidence that new media technologies are highly appropriated by e-teens because the technologies help them meet their unique gratification needs. Therefore, the study recommends that, although new media use among e-teens can be encouraged, it is important to ensure proper usage, which will not be detrimental to them.Communication ScienceD. Litt. et Phil. (Communication

The e-teen phenomenon: a conceptual model for new media technology use and appropriation

Text in EnglishBorn at a time of abundance of technology, including new media, e-teens have their lives woven around the use of new media technologies to the extent that they virtually do everything with the aid of these technologies, including learning, playing, socialising and communicating. E-teens, besides, demonstrate marked expertise in the use of these technologies. Although there have been various studies done on this group of users supported by models and theories on the use, gratifications and appropriation of new media technologies, the premise of this study was on two assumptions. First, there are limited studies that have been conducted in the sub-Saharan African context, especially, Ghana. Second, most available theories and models that guide the study of e-teens’ use, appropriation and the use of new media technologies are generalized and do not sufficiently highlight the unique attributes and gratification needs that are tied to their developmental stage. In light of these assumptions, the study was undertaken to provide empirical evidence on the types of new media e-teens have access to; the types of new media used by e-teens in their scheme of things and e-teens’ purposes for using new media. It also sought to find out the gratifications sought and obtained from the use of new media technologies by e-teens; the key features of new media appropriation and experience among e-teens and to identify the features of new media technologies which are most appealing to e-teens. The other objective, which serves as the main contribution of this study, was to develop a conceptual model representing new media use and appropriation among e-teens, thereby filling the theoretical or conceptual gap that exists in this context. The study adopted a quantitative approach whereby data was collected using close-5ended questionnaires. The target population were teens from age 13 to 19 in senior high schools in the Greater Accra region of Ghana, selected using a simple random sampling. The results of the study show that, overall, the most popular new media technology that e-teens had access to and owned was the smartphone. Leading among the apps that e-teens found to be appealing were educational, entertainment and information/news, with communicative and participatory features of new media technologies appealing to e-teens highly. Also, educational, sociability and social inclusion, respectively, were the most popular gratifications sought and obtained by e-teens. It is submitted that social inclusion, educational and sociability gratifications are considered to be directly in line with the unique developmental needs of e-teens. However, it is recommended, among other things, that educational use of new media, which was one of the strong points for new media use, should be further encouraged as new media provides borderless opportunities for learning. The researcher believes that the conceptual model for e-teen use and appropriation of new media technologies provide a firm ground for further research on topics related to this subject matter. To provide support and substance to the e-teen model, other researchers are encouraged to test and extend it where necessary. In conclusion, the findings provide evidence that new media technologies are highly appropriated by e-teens because the technologies help them meet their unique gratification needs. Therefore, the study recommends that, although new media use among e-teens can be encouraged, it is important to ensure proper usage, which will not be detrimental to them.Communication ScienceD. Litt. et Phil. (Communication

Mental health clinicians��� motivation and awareness of key considerations as predictors of online therapy uses and applications

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton, for the award of Professional Doctorate Counselling Psychology (PsychD).Despite their well-documented effectiveness, online psychological interventions seem to be underperforming with the latest evidence revealing high client dropout rates. The literature indicates that online client engagement tends to improve through a sound online therapeutic alliance and interventions that are credible, reliable and of high-quality. There is little research, however, as to the specific clinician-related factors that might predict the adoption of online therapy practices and interventions that map onto the above online therapy qualities. To address this gap in the literature, the current thesis assesses statistically, whether online practicing clinicians��� awareness of key considerations in online therapy (AKCOT) and motivations are linked to the adoption of associated (outcome) online therapy uses and applications (OOTUA). It was hypothesised that clinicians��� AKCOT and motivations would predict OOTUA. Two studies were employed to this effect. Study one (n= 19, UK-based participants) developed a series of purpose-built scales measuring AKCOT and OOTUA. It also evaluated pre-existing motivational scales such as intrinsic, extrinsic motivation, perceived competence (in forming an online therapeutic alliance) and attributional style towards mental health stigma, ascertaining their usefulness in the context of the current project. Study two adopted a multiple regression analysis design where a total of 174 (138 UK-based and 36 America-based) online practicing clinicians completed an online survey. The factors of AKCOT were measured by the purpose-built scales developed in study one, assessing awareness of key consideration in online disinhibition theory, online therapy ethical considerations and training requirements. The corresponding OOTUA factors were measured on self-report scales capturing associated (to the AKCOT) online therapy applications. The motivational constructs were measured using an intrinsic motivation inventory, general causality-controlled orientation and perceived competence scales. The main findings showed that the AKCOT predictors consistently accounted for approximately 30% and the motivation predictors for approximately 10-20% of the variance in OOTUA. Discussion of the findings considers theoretical and practical implications at the professional regulatory and training level. It is proposed that professional psychological bodies update their regulations around online therapy, and counselling and psychotherapy training courses ensure that trainees are familiarised with online therapy theoretical and practical key considerations as part of their core qualifying training

Cyberspace and Real-World Behavioral Relationships: Towards the Application of Internet Search Queries to Identify Individuals At-risk for Suicide

The Internet has become an integral and pervasive aspect of society. Not surprisingly, the growth of ecommerce has led to focused research on identifying relationships between user behavior in cyberspace and the real world - retailers are tracking items customers are viewing and purchasing in order to recommend additional products and to better direct advertising. As the relationship between online search patterns and real-world behavior becomes more understood, the practice is likely to expand to other applications. Indeed, Google Flu Trends has implemented an algorithm that accurately charts the relationship between the number of people searching for flu-related topics on the Internet, and the number of people who actually have flu symptoms in that region. Because the results are real-time, studies show Google Flu Trends estimates are typically two weeks ahead of the Center for Disease Control. The Air Force has devoted considerable resources to suicide awareness and prevention. Despite these efforts, suicide rates have remained largely unaffected. The Air Force Suicide Prevention Program assists family, friends, and co-workers of airmen in recognizing and discussing behavioral changes with at-risk individuals. Based on other successes in correlating behaviors in cyberspace and the real world, is it possible to leverage online activities to help identify individuals that exhibit suicidal or depression-related symptoms? This research explores the notion of using Internet search queries to classify individuals with common search patterns. Text mining was performed on user search histories for a one-month period from nine Air Force installations. The search histories were clustered based on search term probabilities, providing the ability to identify relationships between individuals searching for common terms. Analysis was then performed to identify relationships between individuals searching for key terms associated with suicide, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress