Varnes, Anne (2020) Study of adolescent choice and use of e-books versus print books. Coursework Masters thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
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Text (Whole Thesis)
Anne Varnes Masters Exegesis final-edited.pdf Download (2MB) | Preview |
Abstract
This dissertation details a mixed-methods survey based research project that investigates the factors that influence adolescent decision-making when choosing between print books and e-books. Despite their history in contemporary publishing, e-books represent a relatively new and not yet mature technology. Whilst much of the current literature explores how adults make decisions about the adoption and use of e-books and e-reader technology there is a significant gap in the scholarship regarding how adolescents approach these decisions. In an attempt to begin to address this gap in the literature an online survey was developed largely informed by reading practice research and consultation with an industry expert in the field of Publishing Studies. The online survey focussed on gathering qualitative data regarding topics such as reading habits, device access, library use, and format preferences. Concurrently, quantitative data was gathered regarding adolescents’ opinions about best device and best application to access e-books, experiences of difficulties borrowing e-books from libraries, and how certain factors influence their decision-making when choosing between a print book and an e-book. Fifty-six adolescent participants aged between 12 and 18 years who had some experience reading e-books for pleasure responded to the survey. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data was performed using a theoretical and methodological bricolage influenced by reading practice studies, Cultural Studies, and Publishing Studies. The results showed that participants were a diverse group with varied reading interests. With regard to device use and choice, app use and choice, and decision-making participants exhibited heavy device use, thoughtful device choice, varied app choice, and similar decision-making patterns to adults. Of interest, were the findings of cost consciousness, access facilitators and mitigators, and the complex relationship between digital literacy and digital access. Overall, the results indicate that while adolescents continue to prefer to read print books, they recognise the utility of e-books and choose to use them at their convenience.
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Statistics for this ePrint Item |
| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Coursework Masters) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current - Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts - School of Creative Arts (1 Mar 2019 -) |
| Supervisors: | Baker, Dallas |
| Qualification: | Master of Arts (Editing and Publishing) |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Apr 2021 00:24 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Jun 2023 05:06 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | e-books; print books; adolescents |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 19 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing > 1999 Other Studies in Creative Arts and Writing > 199999 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 36 CREATIVE ARTS AND WRITING > 3699 Other creative arts and writing > 369999 Other creative arts and writing not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/41827 |
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