ERIC Number: EJ1145015
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jun
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1545-679X
EISSN: N/A
Cyberbullying Presence, Extent, & Forms in a Midwestern Post-Secondary Institution
Smith, J. A.; Yoon, J.
Information Systems Education Journal, v11 n3 p52-78 Jun 2013
This research study was an investigative inquiry as to the forms and characteristics of cyberbullying present in a midwestern post-secondary educational institution during the 2011-2012 academic year. Cyberbullying incidents have increased in educational situations bringing new ethical and legal issues to light; however, most of the research has focused on secondary education. Cyberbullying in this post-secondary institutional study was defined in this research as repeated use of technology to threaten or harass. Researchers utilized an online survey and interview methodology to gather cyberbullying data and information. The survey sought information from a randomly selected group of students (n = 16,983) enrolled at any of the university's campuses, inclusive of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students, where 276 students participated. Through the survey invitation, a voluntary interview was also requested where nine students were interviewed. Results included confirmation that cyberbullying incidents did occur to and by college students as well as instructors at this institution. The majority of both survey and interview participants did not think it a problem at the university level, but this issue is more serious and prevalent in secondary schooling. Those experiencing cyberbullying as a university student, however, reported moderate to extremely serious effects in their life and learning which included physical endangerment. The researchers have advised more research into this topic. Additionally, while conducting this study, this institution has adopted cyberbullying language in their 2012 student conduct code to try to address the cyberbullying phenomenon.
Descriptors: Bullying, Computer Mediated Communication, Graduate Students, Undergraduate Students, Online Surveys, Student Surveys, Interviews, Continuing Education, Student Attitudes, Ethics, Legal Problems, College Faculty, Fear, Safety, Social Networks, Telecommunications, Handheld Devices, Distance Education, Online Courses, Case Studies, Web 2.0 Technologies, Questionnaires, Hypothesis Testing, Qualitative Research, Statistical Analysis
Information Systems and Computing Academic Professionals. Box 488, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480. e-mail: publisher@isedj.org; Web site: http://isedj.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Adult Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A