Research Methodology: UOW Library Computer Usage Analysis, Spring 2018

This report presents a research study on the usage of computers on the ground floor of the University of Wollongong (UOW) library. The assignment, conducted as part of a Research Methodology course in the Spring 2018 session, investigates the patterns of computer occupancy throughout the day. The study includes a comprehensive research proposal outlining the background, research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. The methodology involves observing and recording the number of occupied computers during different times of the day over a period of twenty weekdays. The data collected is then analyzed using R and Excel software, with a focus on descriptive statistics and a one-sample t-test to determine any statistically significant differences in computer occupancy at various times. The report also discusses the significance of the study, emphasizing its potential to aid in the efficient management of library resources and the formulation of policies related to computer usage. The findings are expected to provide insights into peak usage times and inform decisions about resource allocation within the library.

NUMBER OF OCCUPIED COMPUTERS IN THE GROUND FLOOR OF UOW LIBRARY
Background information
Computer is an electronic device with a multipurpose roles such as storage of data, processing data and
receiver data. With internet, computer has become important in many parts of the society. Computer
complexity increase everyday with many components in them performing different functions. These
components combine to make the computer works. Knowing how computer works makes it easier to use
the computer as you will be able to comprehend the response of the computer. (Swedin & Ferro, 2007)
Computer of late has become a very important tool in academics. Many students and academicians prefer
using the computer because it is easy to use and is also faster. With a computer, it is easy to get materials
for learning, a lot of information is also available to choose from. Moreover, with access to internet
computer become an irresistible for many scholars as many publishers and writers have loaded the
internet with more information for studies. (Charles Benton, 2010)
Some of the students will also occupy computer not for study purposes but for playing games. Computers
support various concepts such as games which has attracted many people including students. This can
also affect the time some people use computers. Such people can be attracted in the library in the evening
to cool off their minds after a busy day. Some may take time to watch some documentary during this
time. Therefore, there are many factors which affects the number of computers occupied at different time
of the day. All this call for a survey to ascertains all these possibilities. (Hammer, 2010)
Literature review
In the field of academics computer, it not only the chalk board used in teaching but computer has become
just as common as chalkboard in teaching. It is used by both the lectures and students in both studies and
research. Computer is an electronic device which can store a lot of information in a small space. The
school ecology has been completely changed by the integration of computers, for example, in the
curricula, timetables, funding issues, methodology of teaching and the test evaluation. Introducing the
computer-assisted education is going to bring an overall effect on the stakeholders at the different
categories of integration process. When education assisted by the computer is integrated means computer
forms the major tools in teaching subject matter and to solve problems and skills of thinking of high
order. It simply means that when computer is integrated in education, the power and ability to aid in
learning every subject in the school will be attributed much by the computer. (Keates, 2012) (Tedre,
2014)
In facilitations of making decision, the power of computer can be still applied and to be able to support on
information synthesis and concept amplification. To integrate learning supported by computers in
institutions, we don’t need computer literacy or even the awareness of the computers, we use it as
medium best to support learning in learning institutions as it entails changes made in school. Everyone,
every stakeholders in matter student from teachers, students and the ones involves in the administration
must come to terms and accept that computer form part of life of school in daily basis.
Computer is becoming essential in conducting many things in day to day lives but one challenge remain
still. Computer and its accessories remain to be expensive and sometimes pose challenges to afford. They
vary in prices as you find that the best computers which can perform multipurpose functions at the same
time remain unaffordable to many. This has left many rely on computers based in the library or laboratory
to be able to access to the information. Computer without access to the internet also cannot give much
hence it require a pace well connected to reliable internet for it to be properly utilized. (P. Collins, 2014)

Research problem
The study will be focusing on the time in which the computers on the ground floor of the library is mostly
occupied.
1. What time do most computers get occupied?
2. What time does least number of computers get occupied?
3. Whether time affect the manner in which the number of computer occupied?
4. Whether the floor in which the computers are affect the number of computers occupied at a
particular time.
Objectives or aims
There are some questions we will be trying to answer
The main objectives of the survey is to determine whether there is relationship between time and the
number of computers occupied.
Other specific objectives
1. To determine whether the flour in which the computers are affects the number of computers
occupied.
2. To determine whether there is relationships between times of the day of computer occupancy.
Methodology and procedure of the study
This section presents the explanation study methods that were used to conduct the whole survey. It
touches areas like the research design, procedures of sampling, respondents, collection of data and
analysis and research ethical issues (Howell, 2013) (Katsicas, 2009)
On the research design, I collected the data by observing the number of computers occupied in the
morning, afternoon and in the evening for twenty weekdays. The data was recorded on a simple chart
against each day.
The study was conducted within the premises of the university library on the ground floor. There was no
confrontation of the respondents as it was just observation and recording data which did not require even
structured questionnaire.
Significance of the study
The study is trying to establish the time in which computer section is mostly occupied and used. This can
help in proper management of the library. It can help in making policies which may ensure proper
utilization of the computer resources. Overcrowding can hinder the effective utilization of the facilities.
Study can also establish the appropriate time for other services as it will affect other operations which can
be conducted when less occupation of the number of computers. Allocating the computer library for other
activities can also be made possible if it can be known when the number of computer users go down.

Expected outcomes
The observation done in the morning, afternoon and in the evening. Different students using the library
use the library computers according to the time they are free from classes while some use the library
depending on the time of the day. Assuming that everybody is free in a day, many people will prefer to
visit the library in the morning before the day advance while some will go to the library the time they feel
most student will not be using the library.
In the evening we expect many people to visit the library since many students shall have been free from
their daily activities. Activities such as classes ends mostly ends before 6 pm, therefore giving many
students time to search activities in the internet. The time can also be used by non-students and even the
lectures to use the time to search for more information.
Data analysis
The data analysis was done using both the R and Excel software. The descriptive statistics of the
qualitative data was the major focus. T-test was conducted on the data to establish whether there was
statistical significance in the mean difference of the number of computers occupied at a particular time of
the day, that is, morning, afternoon and evening. (Hellerstein, 2013) (Davenport, 2007)
References

Charles Benton, J., 2010. Elected President of CUC" Computer Usage Corporation. p. 9.
Davenport, T. a. H. J., 2007. Competing on Analytics..
Hammer, A. R., 2010. "Sears Is Seeking Computer Company; s".. Acquisitions and Combinations Are
Planned by Corporation, p. 12.
Hellerstein, J., 2013. "Quantitative Data Cleaning for Large Databases"Computer Science Division:.
Howell, K. E., 2013. Introduction to the Philosophy of Methodology. London:.
Katsicas, S. K., 2009. . In Vacca, John. Computer and Information Security Handbook. Morgan
Kaufmann Publications.. p. 5.
Keates, F., 2012. "A Brief History of Computing".. The Repository.
P. Collins, G., 2014. "Claude E. Shannon: Founder of Information Theory".. Scientific American..
Swedin, E. G. & Ferro, D. L., 2007. Computers: The Life Story of a Technology. JHU Press.. The Life
Story of a Technology. JHU Press, p. 4.
Tedre, M., 2014. The Science of Computing: Shaping a Discipline. Taylor and Francis / CRC Press.
Shaping a Discipline.