Development of the Web Users Self-Efficacy scale (WUSE)

Eachus, P; Cassidy, SF

Abstract

The aim of this research was to develop a scale that could evaluate an individuals confidence in using the Internet. Web-based resources are becoming increasingly important within higher education and it is therefore vital that students and staff feel confident and competent in the access, provision, and utilisation of these resources. The scale developed here represents an extension of previous research (Cassidy & Eachus, 2002) that developed a measure of self-efficacy in the context of computer use. An iterative approach was used in the development of the Web User Self-Efficacy scale (WUSE) and the participants were recruited from the student body of a large University
in the North West of the United Kingdom, and globally via a web site set up for this purpose. Initial findings suggest that the scale has acceptable standards of reliability and validity though work is continuing to refine the scale and improve the psychometric properties of the tool.

Citation

Eachus, P., & Cassidy, S. (2006). Development of the Web Users Self-Efficacy scale (WUSE)

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2006
• Deposit Date: Jan 20, 2009
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 20, 2009
• Journal: Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology Journal
• Print ISSN: 15475840
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Pages: 199-209
• Publisher URL: http://informingscience.org/proceedings/InSITE2006/IISITEach219.pdf
• Related Public URLs: http://www.informingscience.org/
• Additional Information: Additional Information : Also a paper given at Informing Science + Information Technology Conference (InSITE), Salford (Greater Manchester), England June 25-28 2006