TECHNOLOGY 1
COMM 1312: Writing Research
Fall 2016/2017
Assignment 2
Research Proposal
Students’ Names: Norah Albani 201502989
Faten Alnassar 201302248
Instructor Name BARBARA JO BENNETT
Department of Core Humanities
Section 209
Introduction
The modern world is experiencing rapid technological changes. People have become too reliant on the tools of technology such as computers, televisions, and smartphones for their daily activities. These technologies have become the engines for the majority of the daily endeavors. They have enhanced the communication, socialization, entertainment, education and business activities. Their dynamicity and ubiquity have made people highly dependent on them (Greenfield, 2014). Their advantages have made them a necessity in most homes. However, they are also faced with numerous disadvantages to the user. The focus of this paper will be the pros and cons of this technology, and its impact on people’s lives and family relationships.
Background
Technology covers a broad spectrum of software and hardware solutions. They enable people to gather and analyze data for various reasons. The evolution of technology has made the use of cell phones, computers, laptops and other digital devices critical in the lives of most people (Cramer & Hayes, 2010). These technologies have developed from simple tools to intricate gadgets. They are used to call, record videos, take pictures, browse the internet, play music, play games, read books and even attend virtual classes. These technologies have created a generation of “digital natives”. These are the young population that is always on the phone.
The technology has numerous advantages in the daily lives of people and the homes. It has led to the development of education. Schools have expanded to the use of e-learning and distance learning as a result of the spread of the internet. The growth in the use of cellphones has made people feel intimately connected. Parents and children are more in touch through cell phones, and the world is increasingly becoming a global village (Forgays, Hyman & Schreiber, 2014). The internet has also availed all the information that a person needs with just a click. These are some of the benefits that have increased the reliance on technology.
Technological advancements are not without their shortcomings. Video games have encouraged violence among children and led to health implications due to lack of physical activity (Greenfield, 2014). The internet is also a source of inappropriate material, which is easily accessible even to minor children. Pornographic content is readily accessible that has resulted in the moral decadence of the society. The internet addiction is also growing especially among the young adults and adolescents. These groups are highly vulnerable to exposure to inappropriate material and waste precious time that could be used to do constructive activities (Kuss et al., 2013). Malicious people and software have been used in phishing attacks to access personal and private information of individuals. The information can be used to hack into their bank accounts.
Technology is also impacting the lives of people and their homes. It has altered the traditional setting of the families. It has altered the social interactions between parents and children, resulting into a greater family divide. The technology has also facilitated divorce in families as people can easily interact with new partners through social media (Brown, 2008). However, technology has enabled families to be more connected, comfortable and less stressful.
Significance of the Study
The study findings shall be used to advise on policy and the family structural settings that can incorporate technology without the adverse effects. Exposing the advantages and disadvantages of technology, and its effects on people’s lives and homes are critical to enable proper planning. The families can be advised on the best use of technology. Advisors and counselors can use the knowledge to determine how technology has created any problems in the family. Overall, the research will add knowledge to the broad topic of technology and provoke further investigations into the area.
References
Brown, S. A. (2008). Household technology adoption, use, and impacts: Past, present, and future. Information Systems Frontiers, 10(4), 397-402.
Cramer, M., & Hayes, G. (2010). Acceptable use of technology in schools: risks, policies, and promises. IEEE Pervasive Computing, 9(3), 37-44.
Farley, H., Murphy, A., Johnson, C., Carter, B., Lane, M., Midgley, W., ...&Koronios, A. (2015). How do students use their mobile devices to support learning? A case study from an Australian regional university.Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2015(1).
Forgays, D. K., Hyman, I., & Schreiber, J. (2014). Texting everywhere for everything: Gender and age differences in cell phone etiquette and use. Computers in Human Behavior, 31, 314-321.
Greenfield, P. M. (2014). Mind and media: The effects of television, video games, and computers. Psychology Press.
Kuss, D. J., van Rooij, A. J., Shorter, G. W., Griffiths, M. D., & van de Mheen, D. (2013). Internet addiction in adolescents: Prevalence and risk factors. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(5), 1987-1996.
Research Methodology
The following section will provide the framework that is set for the research process. It also provides justifications for choosing this specific method for conducting research.
Research process: The standard procedure for conducting research is either primary or secondary research, whereas a research could also choose both methods too.
The former research (Primary research method) criteria includes the following methods:
1. Quantitative data: This includes a detailed version of the data that inquires about the perceptions of the candidates. It could be done through open ended or close-ended questions. The open ended are more part of the qualitative data whereas the close ended, as the name implies it does not gather detailed information about the candidates. The questions usually include a simple yes or a no unlike the open-ended questions. These questions are emphasised on the numerical side, hence inquiring about the amount of candidates supporting a specific option, etc.
2. Qualitative data: This type of data includes a detailed version of candidates’ perception rather simply restricting to a yes and a no, these questions demand a reason for choosing a certain option. Therefore, this particular type is a high quality data that requires more effort to analyse the findings. The example includes: Provide a reason for choosing this particular option and it could be a one-line statement or few words as well.
The latter method, “Secondary research” is data that has already been conducted by other parties. The examples include newspapers, online journals, reports conducted by government officials, research works by university students, etc. Whereas, the chosen method for this research paper is mostly primary research that includes qualitative questionnaire including quantitative answers. The numerical results shall support the following questions and fulfil the aim of the research document as a whole.
The reason for opting for questionnaire, as a major source of research is that they provide results in a speedy manner despite catering a larger number of candidates. The results of the quantitative data shall be easily depicted through pie charts and graphs and the major benefit of them is that they are extremely easy to comprehend for the reader. The other aspect of this method is that the survey has been kept anonymous that also fulfils the requirements of the university regulations for conducting research. Hence the chosen method ensures that there is no breach of any privacy of the candidates that are involved in this survey questionnaire. Other than this, it also covers various topics through one survey and consequently those findings can easily support the research aim. Although with benefits, there are few drawbacks with the chosen method that include “lack of conscientious responses” that might mean that the users did not read properly before choosing a specific option. Whereas it has been ensured through this survey that the questions are kept precise and to the point that do not discourage the participants or make it complicated for them (Debois, 2016).
The questions in the survey are structured in a way to inquire about this particular age groups’ perception towards the use of technology, how they view cell phones as and are they aware of the downside of technology, etc. Q8, Q9 and Q10 target the positive side of the technology and these questions inquire about the candidates’ point of view that whether there is a correlation between technology and education. This results from these questions will support the statement that encourages the use of technology globally especially among students. Whereas Q5, Q6 and Q7 will inquire about this generations’ perception towards the use of cell phones that whether they perceive it to be a source of connection among people. The data will support the argument that how the increased use of cell phones and other gadgets among the teens has caused a gap between grandparents and grandchildren. These questions ultimately are inquiring in order to provide a solution for creating bonding between grandparents and grandchildren. How each side can be taken into consideration equally.
Analysis of the fieldwork data results
The following part of the chapter shall provide the analysis of every question along with the purpose of the questions as well.
Q1. What kind of technology tools do you prefer?
This question was answered by 50 candidates and the majority of them opted for the option ‘smart phones’ whereas the second lead was taken by the option ‘All of the above’ that includes smart phones, computers, tablets, etc. Today’s contemporary period has pushed this culture of owning cell phones all around the world and this does not restrict to developed countries but can be found in developing and underdeveloped countries too. From an expensive gadget to a cheap one, nearly every individual owns one in each country all over the world. As mentioned in the literature review that this trend does have several advantages as majority of the gadget owners use their phones, laptops, etc. to acquire knowledge about their country and other countries, breaking news and other headlines (Smith, 2015). Thus, this indicates that these gadgets do provide prompt information to the user in a convenient manner. The purpose of this question was to inquire the most used gadget among this certain generation range (18 above to mid twenties) as it includes teenagers almost complete with their high school and university students.
Q2. Do you think that technology has enhanced communication?
This question aims to inquire about the perception of this generation in terms of technology being a blessing or a curse. The results came as candidates agreeing for the option ‘yes’ that said that technology have enhanced communication. The number of candidates that answered this question were 50 that include 45 agreeing for ‘yes’ whereas the 10% includes 5 candidates that perceive that technology has not enhanced communication. It could be easily argued that the sole reason why candidates opted for yes is that they are the younger generation who get access to gadgets i.e. phones, laptops, iPods, etc. This also justified with the research conducted by Forrester that stated, “The research firm found that Generation Y, which it defined as consumers between the ages 24 to 32, led the US in smartphone and mobile adaption” (eMarketer, 2013).
Q3. Do you think technology has more advantages than disadvantages?
The majority of the candidates opted for the option ‘yes’ that they do agree that technology provides more benefits as compared to the drawbacks and whereas, 24% perceived the opposite of this statement. Since the candidates target younger generations that are not professionals working in some firms therefore they are not aware of the fact that technology can be harmful despite providing benefits.
Works Cited Debois, S. (2016, March 16). Survey Anyplace. Retrieved December 25, 2016, from Survey Anyplace: eMarketer. (2013, January 15). eMarketer. Retrieved December 25, 2016, from eMarketer: Smith, A. (2015, April 1). Pew Research Center. Retrieved December 24, 2016, from Pew Research Center: