The computer anxiety scale

Computer anxiety is hard to observe from individuals; therefore a scale has become a very important research tool in the study of computer anxiety. Many kinds of scales have been developed both in the past and present day. They will be introduced in the following:

Table 2-6 A list of Computer Anxiety Scale both at home and abroad

Years Researchers The types of the scale

1984 Loyd & Gressard Computer Anxiety Sub-scale of Computer Attitude Scale 1987 Simonson, Matt & Maurer Computer Anxiety Index

1987 Heinssen, Glass& Knight Computer Anxiety Rating Scale 1987 Heller & Martin Computer Anxiety Rating Scale

1989 Marcoulides Computer Anxiety Scale

1990 Kernan &Howard Computer Anxiety Scale

1994 Mclnerney,Mclnerney

&Sinclair

Computer Anxiety Rating Scale

1995 Marcoulides,Mayers

&Wiseman

Computer Anxiety Scale（CAS）

1995b Rosen & Weil Computer Anxiety Rating

1995 Chuang Computer Anxiety Scale（CAS）

1997 Wu Computer Anxiety Scale（CAS）

1998 Chen Computer Anxiety Scale（CAS）

2000 Wei Teacher Computer Anxiety Scale

2002 Shen Teacher Computer Anxiety Scale

Data sources: Hsieh(2001)

2.4.3 Related studies on research variables and computer anxiety

There are many scholars examining the correlation between gender and computer anxiety. Some studies indicate males have more positive attitude than females; females have more computer anxiety than males (Wu, 1997; Chuang, 1993; Wei, 2000；Hsieh, 2001; Huang, 2003). In her research, Shen (2002) indicates that the overall computer anxiety among elementary school teachers of different genders reaches a level that shows striking differences.

The overall computer anxiety of female teachers is, on average, higher than that of the male teachers. There are also studies revealing that the computer anxiety does not vary with different genders (Maurer, 1994; Wu, 2000; North & Noyes, 2002). Part of the studies reveals that the older, the higher the computer anxiety (Kuo, 2000; Wei, 2000; Tang, 2004; Hsiao, 2005). However, some studies do point out that the computer anxiety will not change with age difference, like Massoud (1991), Wei (2000), Chen (2000).

Thatcher and Perrewe (2002) point out that trait anxiety and computer anxiety have a direct, positive link. In his research on computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety--exploring and discussing from the perspective of a professional manger, Lee (2005) discovers that computer anxiety will be influenced in a positive way by individual trait anxiety and negative emotion. Chuang (1993) explores the computer anxiety found in junior and senior high school students as well as college students, and she discovers those students

who have never touched a computer tend to have computer anxiety the most ,and they have the most negative attitude towards computer accordingly. Chen’s (1998) survey which is aimed at vocational high school students reveals that the more experience of computers, the lower the computer anxiety. Hoenyman and White’s study (1987) aimed at teachers and administrative staff finds that previous computer experience and time spent on computers can lessen the extent of users’ computer anxiety. However, the research result of Rosen (1987) shows that the experience of interaction with computers does not necessarily reduce subjects’

computer anxiety. Chen (2000) points out that the computer anxiety of teachers who have learned computers more than 24 hours is lower than that of those with 1-8 hours. Wei (2000) finds that those people with more computer-related credits tend to have less computer anxiety.

In their research, Compeau and Higgins (1995) indicate that individual computer efficacy has significant effect on the use of computer and computer anxiety, the relationship with computer anxiety being negative. That is to say, when computer self-efficacy increases, the computer anxiety will decrease. The relationship between them is complementary, which can be confirmed by many studies, including those of Igbaria & livari (1995), Coffin &

MacIntyre (1999), Hsieh (2000), Lee (2005).

Table 2-7 Computer anxiety related research

Researchers Research topics Research conclusion Hoenyman&

White (1987)

Computer anxiety in educators learning to use the computer

At teachers and administrative staff finds that previous computer experience and time spent on computers can lessen the extent of users’ computer anxiety.

Chuang (1993) A study of computer anxiety in Taiwanese students.

The computer anxiety is found in junior and senior high school students as well as college students, and she discovers those students who have never touched a computer tend to have computer anxiety the most, and they have the most negative attitude towards computer accordingly.

Chen, L. L.（1998） Computer anxiety and its related variables of the vocational high school students

At vocational high school students reveals that the more experience of computers, the lower the computer anxiety.

significant effect on the use of computer and computer anxiety, the relationship with computer anxiety being negative.

Chen (2000) Research on the attitude toward

computer of senior high school teachers in Kaohsiung City.

The computer anxiety of teachers who have learned computers more than 24 hours is lower than those with 1-8 hours.

Table 2-7 Computer anxiety related research (cont.)

Researchers Research topics Research conclusion Wei (2000) A study of computer

attitude and computer literacy on education course student.

Those people with more computer-related credits tend to have less computer anxiety.

Thatcher &

Trait anxiety and computer anxiety have a direct positive link.

Shen (2002) The Investigation of computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety for the elementary teachers

The overall computer anxiety of female teachers is, on average, higher than that of the male teachers.

The computer anxiety does not vary with different genders

Huang (2003) Computer attitude and computer anxiety:

Relationships with computer experience, computer self-efficacy, and others’ support.

Years of teaching and computer anxiety have a direct negative correlation.

Table 2-7 Computer anxiety related research (cont.)

Researchers Research topics Research conclusion Tang (2004) A Study on the

The older, the higher the computer anxiety.

The instruction effect, the computer

anxiety, and the use intention of integrating information technology have significant correlations.

Lee (2005) An examination to computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety - based on the view of IT managers.

In his research on computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety--exploring and discussing from the perspective of a

professional manger, computer anxiety will be influenced in a positive way by

individual trait anxiety and negative emotion.