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A Study of Awareness and Accessibility of Social Networks

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 Turkish Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation; 32(3)
ISSN 2651-4451 | e-ISSN 2651-446X

A Study of Awareness and Accessibility of Social Networks

Deepmala*
Ashok Kumar Upadhyay**
*Assistant Professor,DLIS
E-mail: deepmala.mlis@gmail.com
**Associate Professor, DLIS & Librarian
E-mail: ashoka143@gmail.com
Mangalayatan University, Aligarh Uttar Pradesh, India, PIN- 202146

ABSTRACT
Awareness and accessibility of social networks is becoming widespread among people. It is
happening because of the features of these networks. Now people are feeling a new change in their
life, they can connect, interrelate, examine and mingle themselves according to their desire. We
have seen that in the pandemic period people were more active on social networks. The goal of the
work is to discover the knowing and accessibility level of users. Online study through
questionnaire were used to collect the data. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software
was used to examine the collection. Result reveals that the most of the users (98.5%) having the
knowledge about social networks. People receive relaxed and reasonable way to maintain
relationships as well as present in front of others. People are concern about security of their social
networks account. The result of the study shows that different measures were adopted by the
respondents to protect their account. The finding also shows that most popular site among users
are Facebook. Basically the respondents use social networks for their information need to create a
universal relationship and self-presentation along with entertainment.
Keywords: Social Networks, ICTs, Social Media, Awareness and Accessibility, Study
Introduction:
The appearance of internet or digital technologies have paved a way for dramatic change in the
process of information communication for the people. In the past years’ people have to rely only
on traditional media but since a long time a new type of online communities that are gaining
popularly and growing enormously, is social networks. Now the people have a chance to read,
view, seek, and share the information anytime and anywhere. It is not easy to anyone but people
are taking the advantages of social networks to continue their work, to enhance their knowledge
to motivate others. All over the world people are increasing their communication. Social networks
are gaining popularity and success due to the idea of online sharing on the social and personal
level, which provide ease to the people to get all their desired information without going anywhere.
Thus through web 2.0 of internet technology socializing these social networking sites, which
evidently means that we are cooperating, distributing, getting together and swapping content
(Ahmad, 2011).
These networks having lot of possibilities inherent in itself. People around the world, mostly use
social networks for their entertainment, as well as we have also seen that people started using them
in other areas of life too, such as health, education, business and so on. Its human nature people

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search for information from the environment to survive and once they get some knowledge, shares
with others. An important part of people’s lives are social networks, which is used by them to
interconnect, recite, statement, share, comparable and make self-satisfied (Chen and Sakamalo,
2013; Ma et al., 2014). Likewise, students are extremely depending on social networks. (Edegoh
et al., 2013). People get assistance from social networks to conversation, share files, deliberate
ideas, email each other and so on. The social networks are neither used for social and entertainment
purposes but also help separable to stay connected with their family and friends. According to Al-
Mukhaini, Al-Qayoudhi and Al-Badi (2014), the adherents of social networking sites say that you
cannot alive without social networks. Deepmala and Upadhyay (2016) highlighted in their study,
the utilization and aim of using social networks by post graduate students of Galgotias University
for entertainment as well as to find reliable information. At present we are familiar with various
widespread social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, Google+, and
YouTube and so on. These networks permit every single user to make their open profile to connect
with others inside the bounded group. O’Dell (2010) stated social network connect users in a very
advanced and operative way. Deepmala and Khan (2014) stated the possible inferences and
presentations of social networking sites in library ambiance with the role of information experts in
digital library surroundings.
Statement of the Problem:
People are aware and using the social networks globally and students rely and use of it, is
increasing promptly, but the awareness level is still not enough. In spite of this, few are having
knowledge about what, why and how to use such social networks. Around the world suddenly the
atmosphere got changed and everyone’s life got immovable where they were. We have seen in
pandemic period that face to face interaction get effected. Educational hub, libraries, public places
are totally restricted to visit by the people. We are still facing this problem. Although we are aware
with the information or knowledge spreaded around us but now to get or access this was the
problem for those who were not known to use of that and how. There are studies going on over
social networks. Students are using social networks but according to their knowledge whether in a
correct or incorrect way.
Objectives of the study:
1. To determine the degree of awareness of social networks among users.
2. To find out the measures taken for securing social accounts.
3. To observe the benefits from the social networks.
Research Hypotheses:
H1 (a): Respondents are aware towards social networks.
H1 (b): Respondents are taking significant measures for own social security.
H1(c): Respondents are taking the benefits from social networks.
Research Methodology:
This work is based on survey method which is supported by the questionnaire process to collect
the data. The questionnaires were distributed online. The research methodology of this survey is
separated in below parts:

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 Sources of data collection- Primary data is collected through questionnaire which has been
made after reviewing previous literature as well as validated by the field experts. Whether
as secondary data is collected from books, journal articles, reports etc.
 Nature of the study- The nature of the study is descriptive.
 Target Population- The targeted population includes students, faculty members and other
academic professionals.
 Sample Size- The sample size for conducting the study is 964 respondents.
 Sampling Technique- The random sampling technique is used.
 Data Analysis Technique- The data is analyzed through the one sample t-Test with the help
of SPSS Software (version 26).
The questionnaires were distributed online and sample selected were derived from 964
respondents. Among the distributed questionnaires only 88% of the people were fill the
questions properly. So the response rate is 88%. The researcher has collected the data
successfully. The research applied descriptive statistics which consists of methods for
organizing, displaying and describing data by using tables and summary measures.
Data Analysis:
The collected data has been analyzed by different methods. In the questionnaire there were
initially 20 questions among them only 8 questions have been taken for the study.
According to the objectives of the study the data were collected to identify awareness of
different social networks, measures for social security and benefits of using social networks.
As we don’t have the population mean, therefore we are here assuming mean which is auto
populated with SPSS i.e.1.5. So we are comparing our calculated mean with the auto populated
mean.
Table 1 One Sample t-Test to measure the awareness of social networks

Statement Test Value= 1.5

T Mean Sig- (2-tailed)
Difference
1 Awareness towards social networking 39.77 1.11 .000
sites
2 Awareness about Friend-of-a-Friend Site 52.23 1.19 .000

From the above table 1 it has been found that the respondents are aware about social networks.
There is a difference in the awareness level of respondents towards social networks. As there
is a mean difference ranges between 1.11 to 1.19. This mean difference has been compared
with the auto populated population mean (1.5). Alpha value 0.5 is also more than the p value
(.000) which shows the difference is significant at 2-tailed test.

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Table 2 One Sample t-Test for own social security

Statement Test Value= 1.5
T Mean Sig- (2-tailed)
Difference
1 Appropriate measures for securing social 2.92 .09 .004
network account
2 Strong password to avoid unauthorized 70.12 1.49 .000
logging
3 Increase additional steps for Signing In 41.43 .56 .000

From the table 2 it has been observed that respondents are taking the appropriate measures to
secure their social accounts. These measures include strong passwords, additional steps to
secure their social networking accounts. As all the p values are below .05 and all the mean
differences are ranged between .09 to 1.49. This mean difference has been compared with the
auto populated population mean (1.5). There is a difference between measures taken by the
respondents to secure their social accounts as the knowledge of taking measures is different
from person to person.
Table 3 One Sample t-Test taking advantages of using social networks
Statement Test Value= 1.5
T Mean Sig- (2-tailed)
Difference
1 Ethical learning while using social 71.34 1.40 .000
networks
2 Personal benefits of using social networks 61.70 .50 .000

From the table 3 it has been found that respondents seek the various advantages from the use
of social networks including ethical and personal benefits. Respondents have different opinions
or views towards social networks benefits. As there is a mean difference which ranges from .5
to 1.4 and this difference is significant at 5% significance level.
Testing of Hypothesis:
After interpretation of data it has been found that all the values are significant which are less
than .05 (p<0.05). So result of the test clearly shows that alternate hypotheses are accepted and
nulls are rejected.
Discussion:
Users are offered new possibilities for interaction and connection by social networks. It has
become the part of life of everyone. Most (98.5%) of users having knowledge of social
networks. The same result was also discovered in the study of Ezeh et al. (2013), the work of
Ndaku (2013) and Papoola (2014) revealed that 98% of users are frequently using social
networks whereas less users are not conscious about universe of social networks; which points
that student, faculty members and academic professionals are familiar with social networks.

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Additionally, social networks are many and diverse in nature and attracts to some people. There
are various social networks, which was used by the users according to their need. This finding
was in line in the work of Buhars et al. (2014), Hussain (2012), Omeku et al. (2014) and
Papoola (2014). Mostly are aware about Twitter, Facebook, Whats app, Google, You Tube.
On the question of You Tube slogan, 80.4% respondents reply as broadcast yourself. Majority
(89%) of the respondents stated social networking sites as the most demanding section of the
internet. However, 78% prefer social networks as friend-of-a-friend site. It is found that among
various social networks most popular is Facebook with 86.4% responses. Maximum
respondents are aware with different social media applications.
The emergence of social networks allows users to report and share with others. Very high
percentage of users are utilizing these networks to pursue their research and share information
along with make friends and chat with them. The similar finding had been described in the
study of Buhari et al. (2014) and Oyero (2013) where users used social media to parcel
information and news online. As the various work has already been done on the usage of social
media. But this study reveals the result in another way when users were unable to visit the
library. Although various materials are available online but at some step everyone needs more
information to continue their work, research and so on. The benefits of using social networks
resulted 91.4% against staying connected with people, entertainment as well as sharing
common interest. The finding was similar to the result obtained in Deepmala and Upadhyay
(2016) where respondents use SNSs to meet new people, instant message and sharing
information.
Conclusion:
The survey concentrate on the awareness and accessibility of social networks among the
students, faculty members and academic professionals. In this paper we have reviewed earlier
research papers and presented the result. Presently it’s a tough part to describe any user without
the knowing of social networks which we found in previous studies. It clearly reveals that
social networks have become a part of their life. Users cannot survive without presenting them
socialize. These social networks cover a big space and a lot time among their life style. Social
networks work as two faces of coin. In one way they get support for their academic actions
and in second way they make themselves popular and socialize among everyone. They can
create public relations. Among many social networks priority is given to few by the users due
to the security, functionality, benefit and the freedom they get to work as well as with their
convenience and quality. Users always prefer popular networks for the transparency and
privacy aspects of social networks. However, users are not only restricting themselves to
socialize and recreation, discovering and transferring information but they involve in what is
happening in and around their communities too. We find many information quickly through
social networks. Besides this study, we can further work with the security of these social
networks to understand how the users understand the concept of privacy. We can conclude that
the there is a significant difference between the response of population from the response of
sample population because the thinking power of everyone is differ from other and on the basis
of knowledge their opinion or view is different from each other.
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