The present research examined sex differences in general computer knowledge and computer anxiety. Survey data about computer knowledge comfort, and interest were collected from 697 students, 579 from a previous study in 2001 at three types of colleges (a four-year liberal arts college, a business college, or a community college). With few exceptions, no differences associated with sex were detected. Implications for the present findings are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AndersonA. A. (1996) Predictors of computer anxiety and performance in information systems. Computers and Human Behavior, 12, 61–77.
2.
BurkettW. H.ComptonD.BurkettG. G. (2001) An examination of computer attitudes, anxieties, and aversions among diverse college populations: Issues central to understanding information sciences in the new millennium. Informing Science, 4, 77–85.
3.
ButlerD. (2000) Gender, girls, and computer technology: What's the status now?The Clearing House, 73, 225–229.
4.
CooperJ.StoneJ. (1996) Gender, computer-assisted learning, and anxiety: With a little help from a friend. Journal of Education Computing Research, 15, 67–91.
5.
DologriteD. G. (1987) Measuring microcomputer literacy. Journal of Education Technology Systems, 16, 29–43.
Educational Testing Service. (1997) College-bound seniors: A profile of SAT test takers. New York: Author.
8.
FulkerthB. (1998) A bridge for distance education: Planning for the information age student. Syllabus, 12(4), 3–5.
9.
General Accounting Office. (2001) Telecommunications: Characteristics and choices of Internet users. (GAO Publication No. GAO-01-345) Washington, DC: United States General Accounting Office.
10.
GreenK. C. (1998) Campus computing 1998: The ninth annual survey of desktop computing and information technology in higher education. Encino, CA: The Campus Computing Project.
11.
HawkinsR.ParisA. E. (1997) Computer literacy and computer use among college students: Differences in black and white. Journal of Negro Education, 66, 147–158.
12.
HenryP. H.DeLiberoG. (1996) Strategic networking. London: International Thomson Computer Press.
13.
HoldenC. (2000) Parity as a goal sparks bitter battle. Science, 289, 380.
14.
HummelT. J.SligoJ. R. (1971) Empirical comparison of univariate and multivariate analysis of variance procedures. Psychological Bulletin, 76, 49–57.
15.
HuntN. P.BohlinR. M. (1995) Events and practices that promote positive attitudes and emotions in computing courses. Journal of Computing in Teacher Education, 11, 21–23.
16.
KingJ. (1994) Fear or frustration? Students' attitudes toward computers and school. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 27, 154–170.
17.
LeeD. M. S.PliskinNKahnB. (1994) The relationship between performance in a computer literacy course and students' prior achievement and knowledge. Journal of Computing Research, 10, 63–77.
18.
LiuM.ReedW. M.PhillipsP. D. (1992) Teacher education students and computers: Gender, major, prior computer experience, occurrence, and anxiety. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 24, 457–467.
19.
MalaneyG. D.ThurmanQ. (1989–1990) Key factors in the use and frequency of use of microcomputers by college students. Journal of Education Technology Systems, 18, 151–160.
20.
MeierS. T. (1990) Construct validity of an instrument designed to measure computer aversion. Presented at the 1990 Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association.
21.
Morahan-MartinJ. (1998) Males, females and the Internet. In GackenbachJ. (Ed.), Psychology and the Internet. San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Pp. 169–198.
22.
MorrisD. C. (1996–1997) Ownership, use, and non-use of personal computers by older adults. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 25, 5–12.
23.
NunnallyJ. C. (1978) Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill.
24.
PriceR.WinieckiD. (1995) Attitudes and skill levels of college students entering a typical introductory college computing course. Journal of Computing in Teacher Education, 12, 20–25.
25.
RomiszowskiA. J.MasonR. (1996) Computer-mediated communication. In JonassenD. H. (Ed.), Handbook of research for educational communication and technology. New York: Macmillan Library Reference. Pp. 438–456.
26.
RyanT. A. (1960) Significance tests for multiple comparisons of proportions, variances and other statistics. Psychological Bulletin, 57, 318–328.
27.
SandersD. W.Morrison-ShetlarA. I. (2001) Student attitudes toward web-enhanced instruction in an introductory biology course. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 33, 251–262.
28.
SchellenbergR. (1994) Computers in society. Guilford, CT: Dushkin.
29.
ShawF. S.GiacquintaJ. B. (2000) A survey of graduate students as end users of computer technology: New roles for faculty. Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, 18, 21–40.
30.
SmithB. N.NecessaryJ. R. (1996) The Computing Ability Scale: Replication and extension involving college computer literacy students. In RedmanD. H. (Ed.), AERA business education and information systems research special interest group proceedings. Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association. (ERIC No. ED 395 218)
31.
SPSS, Inc. (1998) SYSTAT (Version 9.0). Chicago, IL: SPSS, Inc.
32.
StevensJ. (1992) Applied multivariate statistics for the social sciences. (2nd ed.) Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
33.
WeinfurtK. P. (1995) Multivariate analysis of variance. In GrimmL. G.YarnoldP. R. (Eds.), Reading and understanding multivariate statistics. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Pp. 245–276.
34.
WhitleyB. E.Jr. (1997) Gender differences in computer-related attitudes and behaviour: A meta-analysis. Computers and Human Behaviour, 10, 33–49.
35.
YoungB. J. (2000) Gender differences in student attitudes toward computers. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 33, 204–213.
