Chapter 3: Research Methodology

1.1 Introduction
In this chapter, we will do deep analyzing for our research findings collected from
our respondents from Universiti Sains Malaysia for the research title of "The
Intention To Use Smartphone To Study Among Students". In the following
section, we will be discussing about the research design, hypothesis, population,
sample size and sampling technique, variables and measurement. Next, we will
mention about the data collection techniques as well as methods.

1.2 Research Design

1.2.1 Type of Study
This research is a correlational study which conducted among students who are
currently studying in the main campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang. It
is conducted to proof for the relationships among the variables that stated above.
Hypothesis testing was undertaken to explain the variance in the dependent
variables to predict relationship.
1.2.2 Nature of Study
This study is a field research that conducted under natural environment where
variables are neither controlled or being manipulated. Apart from that, this is a
cross-sectional research where the data are collected and gathered over weeks to
analyzing purpose. The data were collected from respondents in USM voluntarily.
The unit of analysis are undergraduates of USM main campus. The research sites
for this study are conducted on individuals whi are either the users or non-users of
Smartphone.

1.3 Hypothesis
In this era of globalization, Smartphone has become one of the essential gadgets
that are gaining massive popularity and are being use by fellow students for
multitask in different work, help in the studies as well as obtain the study sources

and information through the Internet. However the intention to use Smartphone
for studying purpose vary among USM students.
Hypothesis 1
H1: The students perceived usefulness of Smartphone has a positive relationship
with the students attitude to use Smartphone to study.
Students perceived usefulness of Smartphone is high; the attitude to use
Smartphone for studying purpose will be high as well. This is a significant
positive relationship between it. Perceived usefulness is very important factor that
will consider by USM students before having the attitude to use Smartphone. If
the students perceived usefulness of the Smartphone is positive, then they will
agree with the statement that using Smartphone to study enable them to
accomplish their study more quickly, improve and enhance their study
performance. Therefore, these can clearly describe that students perceived
usefulness of Smartphone influence the students attitude to use Smartphone to
study positively.
Hypothesis 2
H2 The students perceived ease of use of Smartphone has a positive relationship
with the students attitude to use Smartphone to study.
Students perceived ease of use of Smartphone is high; the attitude to use
Smartphone to study will be high as well. This is a significant positive
relationship. Perceived ease of use is another important factor that will take into
consideration of student before having the attitude to use Smartphone to study. If a
student found that using Smartphone is reasonably easy, flexible to interact with,
easy to become skilful at using Smartphone and is easy to use Smartphone in
study, the student will have positive attitude to use the Smartphone. Hence,
students perceived ease of use of Smartphone influences the students attitude to
use Smartphone to study positively.

Hypothesis 3
H3 The students compatibility with Smartphone has a positive relationship with
the students attitude to use Smartphone to study.
Students compatibility with the Smartphone is high; their attitude to use
Smartphone to study will be high as well. This signifies a positive relationship.
Compatibility is also a factor that will influence students attitude to use the
Smartphone to study. If students compatibility with Smartphone is positive, then
it may have a positive relationship towards the students attitude to use
Smartphone to study. Therefore, the students compatibility with the Smartphone
influences the students attitude to use Smartphone to study positively.
Hypothesis 4
H4 The students observability of Smartphone has a positive relationship with the
students attitude to use Smartphone to study.
Students observability of Smartphone is high; their attitude to use Smartphone to
study will be high as well. This signifies a positive relationship. Observability is
also one of the factors to be considering before having an attitude to use
Smartphone to study. If student can easily observe others in the USM using a
Smartphone to study or they had a lot of opportunity to see the Smartphone being
used to study then they have a positive or higher attitude to use Smartphone to
study. Hence, students observability of Smartphone will influences the students
attitude to use Smartphone to study positively.
Hypothesis 5
H5 The students attitudes towards using the Smartphone to study have a positive
relationship with the students intention to use Smartphone to study.
Students having positive attitudes towards using Smartphone to study, they will
have the positive intention to use the Smartphone to study as well. This indicates a
positive relationship. Attitudes towards using the Smartphone to study are a vital
factor that influences the students intention to use Smartphone to study. In

general, the hypothesis 1 to hypothesis 4 related to the students attitudes towards

using Smartphone to study. As a result, it suggest that the students attitude
towards using Smartphone to study will influences the students intention to use
Smartphone to study positively.

1.4 Population, Sample Size and Sampling Technique

The target population will be study consists of undergraduates in Main
Campus of University of Science Malaysia from local and foreign. The
sampling method we used to select sample is through probability sampling,
which is simple-random sampling. Randomness in sampling helps to generate
more accurate information that can precisely predicts the behaviour of USM
students intention to use Smartphone to study. We had selected 125
respondents to help in our research, the respondents are USM undergraduates
from different ethnics and also foreigners, in order to get sufficient respondent
and data. Other than that, we also obtained some information from Internet
such as research journals that were completed by various credibly researchers
about the intention to use Smartphone for studying purpose.

1.5 Variables and Measurement

Interval scales was applied from section 1 to section 6 for measurement
whereas for section 7 respondent answers was measured in nominal scale. The
respondents were required to read each of the questions and answer it at
section 1 to section 5 with honestly in order to obtain an accurate result. Here
is the rating scales area:
1
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

There are 3 types of variables which are independent, mediating and

dependent variables. Independent variable is a variable where does not depend
on others variable. There is relationship between independent and dependent
variable. Mediating Variable serves to clarify the nature of the relationship
between the independent and dependent variable. In this research, independent
variables are perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, compatibility and
observability. Mediating variable is the attitudes towards using the
Smartphone to study. Lastly, dependent variable is the intention to use
Smartphone to study.

Perceived of usefulness
Students perceived usefulness towards Smartphone was measured with six
questions with a 5-point scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly
agree (5). The relationship of perceived of usefulness with the attitude to use
Smartphone to study will be positive if most of the answers are from Neutral
(3) to Strongly Agree (5). Example of question is Using the Smartphone would
improve my study performance

Perceived ease of use

Students perceived ease of use was measured with six questions with a 5point scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). The
relationship of perceived ease of use with the attitude to use Smartphone to
study will be positive if most of the answers are from Neutral (3) to Strongly

Agree (5). Example of question is Learning through the Smartphone would be

easy for me

Compatibility
Students compatibility with Smartphone was measured with three questions
with a 5-point scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5).
The relationship of students compatibility with the attitude to use Smartphone
to study will be positive if most of the answers are from Neutral (3) to
Strongly Agree (5). Example of question is Using the Smartphone will be
compatible with all aspects of my studies.

Observability
Students observability of the Smartphone was measured with two questions
with a 5-point scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5).
The relationship of students observability of the Smartphone with the attitude
to use Smartphone to study will be positive if most of the answers are from
Neutral (3) to Strongly Agree (5). Example of question is I have had a lot of
opportunity to see the Smartphone being used in study.

Attitude towards using smartphones to study

Students attitudes towards using the Smartphone to study is the mediating
variable and was measured with four questions with a 5-point scale ranging
from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). The relationship of students
attitudes towards using the Smartphone to study and the intention to use
Smartphone to study will be positive if most of the answers are from Neutral
(3) to Strongly Agree (5). Example of question is Using the Smartphone to
study would be a good idea.

Intention to use Smartphone to study

Students intention to use the Smartphone to study is the dependent variable

and it was measured with four questions using 5-point scale ranging from
strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). The students intention to use the
Smartphone to study will be positive if most of the answers are from Neutral
(3) to Strongly Agree (5). Example of question is Assuming I have the
Smartphone, I intend to use it in my studies.

1.6 Data Collection Techniques

In our research, raw data is collected through questionnaire that distribute
randomly at USM students. This is to ensure that the respondents were from
various schools in campus USM, so the data collected will be evenly
distributed among students where from different schools. Questionnaire that
distributed to the USM students includes the question regarding USM
students perceptions towards the intention to use Smartphone to study.

1.7 Techniques of Analysis

Data were gathered through questionnaires and our research was analyzed by
using SPSS software. The output we gained from SPSS are analysed with the
aid of information that obtained from online journals as well. The test and
theories that employed were as follows:
1.7.1 Reliability Analysis
Reliability Analysis is important to deal with any measurements error on
all information gathered. So, this is significant for us to know the degree of
goodness of our information. In our research, our dependent, mediating
and independent variables were analysis by using reliability test. This is to
ensure that all variables were analysis correctly.
1.7.2

Descriptive

Analysis

(Includes

Frequencies

Analysis)

Descriptive analysis refers to the transformation of the raw data into a

form that will make respondents easy to understand and interpret.

Descriptive analysis are conducted in order to facilitate us in seeing the

relationship as well as allowing us to make the comparisons through the
tables and graphs. In our research, descriptive analysis involves computing
percentages and frequencies of relevant factors. Nevertheless, the mean
and standard deviation of all major variables are also evaluated.

1.7.3 Pearson Correlation Analysis

This test is to conclude the entire hypothesis that we made. Pearson
Correlation is providing us with the quantitative figures that can help us in
estimating the type and strength relationship between the variables.
Pearson Correlation Analysis normally figure range from -1 to +1 where a
+1 correlation emphasis that there is a strong positive linear relationship
between independent and dependent variable. In our research, each of the
independent variable is analysed to determine its correlation with the USM
students intention to use Smartphone to study. This allows us to determine
whether to accept our hypothesis proposed or not.

1.7.4 Regression Analysis

Regression analysis refers to techniques for analysis the relationship
between dependent and one or more independent variable(s). It helps in
understanding the changes in dependent variable when one of the
independent variables is varied while the others remain constant.