Use Of Mobile Phones By Pharmacy Students In Universities
(A Case Study Of Students Of Pharmacy Department University Of Benin)
The integration of mobile phones among pharmacy students in universities has become pervasive, significantly impacting their academic endeavors and professional development. These devices serve as indispensable tools, aiding students in various facets of their education, including accessing educational resources, collaborating with peers, managing schedules, and staying updated with relevant information in the dynamic field of pharmacy. Furthermore, mobile phones enable students to engage in effective communication with faculty members and healthcare professionals, fostering mentorship opportunities and facilitating networking within the pharmacy community. Additionally, the use of mobile applications tailored to pharmacy education enhances learning experiences by providing interactive learning modules, drug reference databases, and clinical decision support tools. However, while the utilization of mobile phones offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges such as potential distractions and concerns regarding privacy and security of sensitive information. Therefore, it is imperative for pharmacy educators to implement strategies that harness the benefits of mobile technology while mitigating associated risks, ensuring that pharmacy students leverage these devices optimally for their academic and professional growth.
This work is on use of mobile phones by pharmacy students in Nigeria universities with pharmacy department University of Benin as a case study. The process of data collection for study was guided by the five objectives formulated for the study. The objectives are to find out whether pharmacy department university of Benin student spend time in making calls; To determine the reasons for using mobile phones by students of pharmacy department university of Benin; To ascertain the roles of mobile in students academic.
Programmes; To know whether the use of mobile phones do satisfy students information need; To identify and highlight the problems of students use of mobile phones and proffer workable solution.
The survey research design was adopted while carrying out the study with the questionnaire used as instrument for data collection. In presenting and analyzing the data, frequency percentage tables were used.
The findings of the study revealed that pharmacy department university of Benin students spends time in making calls. The study also revealed that students of pharmacy university of Benin have reasons of using mobile phones.
According to findings mobile phones help pharmacy student in university of Benin in their academic programmes.
It also revealed that students of pharmacy department university of Benin are satisfy with the information needs of mobile phone. But there are still some problems hindering student use of mobile phone and there are high cost of recharging and poor network services of mobile services operators.
The study therefore recommends that in line with the objectives of the study in order to ensure effective utilization of mobile phone by pharmacy student university of Benin.
GSM service provider should as a matter of necessity expand their network base to the immediate environment of our tertiary institution to reduce the rate of call interferance.
The use of mobile phone should be encourage in the academic environment as it facilitate information retrieval processes.
Title Page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
List of Tables
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Statement of the Problem
1.2 Objectives of the Study
1.3 Research Question
1.4 Scope of the Study
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Historical Background of University of Benin and it’s Pharmacy Department
1.7 Definition of Operational Basis on Cept
References
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Conceptual Analysis of Mobile Phones
2.3 Application and Feature of Mobile Phones
2.4 Internal and External Features of Mobile Phones
2.5 Importance/Utilization of Mobile Phones
2.6 Problems that Militate Against Student use of Mobile
Phones
Reference
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Population of Study
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique
3.5 Instrument for Data Collection
3.5 (1) Questionnaire
3.6 Procedure for Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction
4.1(1) Distribution and Return of Questionnaire
4.1(2) Level
4.1(3) Gender Distribution
4.1(4) Age Distribution
4.2 Analysis of Data on Research
4.2(1) Having a Mobile Phone
4.2(2) Time Spent in Making Calls
4.2(3) The use of your Mobile Phone
4.2(4) Reasons for using Mobile Phone
4.2(5) Usefulness of Mobile Phones for Academic Programmes
4.2(6) The role of Mobile Phone in your Academic programmes
4.2(7) The use of Mobile Phone to Satisfy Students information needs
4.2(8) The Problem Associated with the use of Mobile Phone
4.2(9) Possible Solution to the Problems
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary of Findings
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
Bibliography
Appendixes
Appendix 1: Letter of Introduction
Appendix 2: The Questionnaire
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Mobile phone also known as G.S.M. Hand phone, wireless phone, cell phone, cellular phone and telephone is a long-range electronic device used for mobile voice or data communication over a network of specialized based stations known as cell site (Blake, 2004).
According to Blake (2004) standard voice function of a mobile phone, telephone, current mobile phones may support many additional services and accessories, such as Short Message Service (SMS) for text message, email, packet switching for access to the internet, gaming, Bluetooth, infrared, camera with video, recorder and multimedia service (MMS) for sending and receiving photos and video, mp3 player and radio.
Many students of various academic institution make use of mobile phones for their research work. Majority of phones are now connected to the internet students find it very easy to browse with their phone other than going to the cyber café.
Mobile phones is used by students to communicate with friends and families. It has helped a lot of students to get information or programmes in the school through calling or texting the person involved. Students also use mobile phones to share experiences and receive emotional and psychological support from their parents.
Majority of students finds it difficult to purchase a quality phone due to the cost price.
The issue of low battery affect students use of the mobile phones. In view of the foregoing, it is the intent of the study to empirically find reasons for using mobile phones, role of the mobile phones in their academic pursuit and the problems associated with students use of mobile phones and proffer workable solutions to them and time spent.
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In many academic institutions, mobile phones has increased the rate of communication among students and has improve their level of learning in the area of research.
Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult for effective communication due to the high cost of purchase of mobile phone and the frequent network failure.
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
To find out whether pharmacy department university of Benin students spend time in making calls.
To determine the reasons for using mobile phones by student of pharmacy department university of Benin.
To ascertain the roles of mobile phones in student academic programmes.
To know whether the use of mobile phones do satisfy students information needs.
To identify and highlight the problems of students use of mobile phones and proffer workable solution.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Do students of pharmacy department university of Benin spend time in calls?
What are student reasons for using mobile phones?
What are the roles of mobile phones in student academic programmes?
Does the use of mobile phones satisfy students information needs?
What are the problems associated with the use of mobile phones?
What are the solution to these problems?
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study is on the use of mobile phones by students with particular reference to pharmacy department university of Benin.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work is focused on the use of mobile phones by students of pharmacy department university of Benin, ascertain whether these method aid on how student of pharmacy department university of Benin use their mobile phone also to proffer solutions to problems when necessary to encourage maximum use of mobile phones by students.
It will also add to the increasing literature on the topic which can be used as reference materials by students and researchers in the field of library and information science.
1.6 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN AND IT’S PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
University of Benin was founded in 1970 by then mid western state government initially as the mid west institution of technology. The institution achieved full university status in July 1971 and became the University of Benin 1975. The institution run but B.S.C, post graduate and master degree that started with three faculties. faculty of medicine, pharmacy and engineering and later had Art, social science and education.
The university main library John Harris was named after a pioneer university librarian Prof. John harris from Newzealand the Library is situated at Ekehuan Road campus with ultramodern building. The library is open between the hour of 8-8pm the library has section that make up the library and their head. The Chief Librarian S.A Ogurombi.
Serial headed by T.A. Elugie
Reference headed by Mrs. C.D. Demowu
Circulation headed by A.R. Garube
Acquisition headed by R.I. Uguanbi
Catalogue unit headed by Eifi A.O
The pharmacy and pharmacology faculty is situated at Ekehugn the department run fulltime and part time programmes. The department is headed by Mr. Ehu A.E. The department has training library for easy access to pharmacy students. The training libraryi headed by a library officer Igbinovia J. and the library is controlled by the university librarian.
1.7 DEFINITION OF OPERATIONAL BASIC ON CEPT
Mobile phone according to Webster Dictionary is a radio or device that is capable of transmitting voice calls, information and message from the source encoder to a receiver the decoder. Awake, (2006).
Internet is a computer and other communication devices connected to each other using telephone lines, satellite and other devices using a common language Ukoha, (1997).
SHARE PROJECT MATERIALS ON:
Use Of Mobile Phones By Pharmacy Students In Universities:
Pharmacy students, like students in many other fields, use mobile phones for a variety of purposes in universities. Here are some common ways pharmacy students use mobile phones in their academic pursuits:
- Accessing Educational Resources: Pharmacy students often use mobile phones to access digital textbooks, research articles, and educational apps related to pharmacology, biochemistry, and other subjects. This allows them to study on the go and access information quickly.
- Note-Taking: Mobile phones can be used for taking notes during lectures and laboratory sessions. Many students use note-taking apps or even the built-in note apps on their phones to jot down important points.
- Scheduling and Time Management: Pharmacy students have demanding schedules with classes, labs, and clinical rotations. Mobile phones are essential for managing their calendars, setting reminders for assignments and exams, and staying organized.
- Communication: Mobile phones are a primary mode of communication among students. They use messaging apps, email, and social media platforms to stay in touch with peers, professors, and academic advisors for discussions, group projects, and networking.
- Research and Reference: Students use their phones to quickly look up drug information, medical literature, and research papers. Mobile apps like UpToDate, PubMed, and Epocrates are valuable resources for pharmacy students.
- Drug Information and Pharmacology Apps: Many pharmacy students use mobile apps that provide drug information, drug interactions, dosage calculations, and other pharmaceutical references. These apps can be a handy tool for learning and clinical practice.
- Study Aids: There are numerous educational apps and online flashcards designed to help pharmacy students study for exams and quizzes. Mobile phones allow students to access these resources whenever and wherever they need them.
- Online Learning: With the growth of online learning, pharmacy students use mobile phones to access virtual classrooms, participate in webinars, and complete assignments on learning management systems like Blackboard or Canvas.
- Clinical Practice: In clinical rotations, pharmacy students may use mobile phones for clinical decision support, drug reference, and electronic health record access (if permitted by the clinical site’s policies).
- Healthcare Apps: Pharmacy students may use health-related apps to monitor their own well-being or to track health metrics and medications for patients they are working with during their clinical experiences.
- Professional Development: Mobile phones are used to access pharmacy-related news, journals, and online communities to stay updated on industry trends and network with professionals.
It’s important to note that while mobile phones can be valuable tools for pharmacy students, they should also be used responsibly and in accordance with university policies, especially in clinical settings where patient privacy and professionalism are paramount.