Use of ICT by undergraduates of Uganda Martyrs University: Application of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology.

Abstract

The study sought to establish the relationship between performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions and the use of ICT. Cluster sampling was used to select undergraduates from Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) who served as the respondents by filling in self administered questionnaires. Lecturers, a Librarian and the IT manager were also interviewed for the study. Data analysis at the univariate level was based on relative frequencies and descriptive statistics such as means. At the bivariate level, all the hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s correlation method. At the multivariate level, the dependent variable use of ICT (UIT) was regressed on all the four independent variables that is performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions at ago, using multiple regression. Qualitative data were presented by showing the views of the respondents in the interview guide in relation to quantitative statistics. The study discovered that the first three variables that are performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence had no significant relationship with the dependent variable the use of ICT yet facilitating conditions were found to be significantly positively linearly correlated with the use of ICT. The study concluded that all but facilitating conditions were important in the enhancement of use of ICT in Uganda Martyrs University. The recommendations made included; the University putting emphasis on facilitating conditions that is to say, providing facilities in form of computer laboratories and equipping them with the necessary software and hardware; the University to work with companies, donor organizations and the alumni in order to increase accessibility of ICTs to students by availing them at a reduced price. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence were also not to be ignored but maintained high for the benefit of all concerned parties.