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Magnetism of WhatsApp among veterinary students

Dhiraj Kumar Malhotra (University Library, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India)
Sonia Bansal (University Library, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India)

The Electronic Library

ISSN: 0264-0473

Article publication date: 6 November 2017

631

Abstract

Purpose

Instant messaging (IM) apps like WhatsApp have given an impetus to rapid sharing of information through multimedia messages in this information age and their clear impact has been noticed in the academic sector. The present study is conducted with the aim to understand the magnetism of WhatsApp among veterinary students. The major purpose of the study is to analyse the use of WhatsApp for academic proposes with a special emphasis on its impact on studies.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from students of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) using questionnaires as a tool. Questionnaires were randomly distributed among 100 postgraduate (PG) and 100 undergraduate (UG) students. In total, 78 PG and 77 UG students responded to the survey.

Findings

More than 90 per cent of the students were using WhatsApp for academic purposes. More UG students were using WhatsApp to chat, share images/videos and so forth for academic purposes as compared to PG students. Nearly two-thirds of the students admitted that addiction to using WhatsApp diverted attention from doing any other kind of activity. More than 75 per cent of the users were using WhatsApp while studying at their home or hostel. About 28 per cent of the students said that the use of WhatsApp had affected their studies, and more than 60 per cent of these students noticed a positive effect.

Originality/value

WhatsApp increases knowledge sharing, leading to enhanced creativity. Thus, WhatsApp can contribute significantly to the academic community by users consciously controlling its use and not allowing its addictive nature to divert attention from their studies.

Keywords

Citation

Malhotra, D.K. and Bansal, S. (2017), "Magnetism of WhatsApp among veterinary students", The Electronic Library, Vol. 35 No. 6, pp. 1259-1267. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-04-2016-0086

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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