Social networking and academic performance of university students in Kenya: a case study of Kenyatta University, Kericho campus
Loading...
Date
2017
Authors
Langat, Jedidah Chebet
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Academic performance is an important element to the lives of students in schools and their
progression to the career world. Several factors indicate a student’s academic success. While
some may not graduate top of their class, they may hold leadership positions in several student
groups or score high on extracurricular activities. The title of this paper is “Social Networking
and Academic Performance of University Students in Kenya: A Case Study of Kenyatta
University, Kericho Campus.” General objective of the study was to assess the impact of social
network on academic performance of University students in Kenya: A case study of Kenyatta
University, Kericho Campus. The specific objectives of the study were as follows: to determine
the effect of peer interaction on academic performance; to investigate the effect of studentlecturer
interaction on academic performance; and to analyse the effect of engaging in social
network on academic performance. The total population was 582; while after computing using
Taro Yamen’s formula, the sample size was 250. Cross-sectional survey research design
employed the use of the closed survey questionnaire. The survey questionnaire was administered
to students in Kenyatta University, Kericho Campus, Kenya. Data was analyzed using
descriptive statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The
piloted data was analysed to calculate its reliability, and special attention was given to relevance
of survey questionnaire and clarity of instructions for this research. Results of the study showed
that students of Kenyatta University, Kericho Campus, have access to social media and that their
exposure to social media is to a very great extent. Findings also show that exposure to social
media has effect on the students and that the effect is positive. Based on the findings, the paper
concludes that exposure to social media by the undergraduate students of Kenyatta University
has Positive effect on their academic performance. To this end, the paper recommends that the
students should pay critical attention to social networking usage, focusing more on using social
networking in their academic-related activities. The significance of this study was to the
university students to know how best to use social media networks as tool for improving their
academic performance, to scholars in furthering the relationship between social networking and
academic performance, to the government and other stakeholders in improving the
implementation of IT in universities.
Keywords: Social Networks, Students, Academic Performance
Description
A research proposal submitted to the school of business in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of masters of business administration (management information system option) of Kenyatta University March, 2017