The Demographic Effect on Information Practices of Pakistan’s Urban Youth

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of demographics such as number of siblings, province, gender, and age on youth’s everyday information using, managing, and sharing practices. It also exposes the demographic differences regarding information-seeking practices. A good number of studies have been carried out on youth and their information behavior but to observe their everyday information behavior and the impact of demographics very little literature is available. This study is an effort to understand the demographic effects and differences that may lead to designing systems to fulfill their everyday information needs. A quantitative approach was applied with a sample size of 1000 Pakistani urban teen students of private and public sector schools all over Pakistan. Survey methodology was applied; cluster sampling was done with a 5-point Likert scale. The data was collected through Google Forms and all the provinces were part of this survey including ICT and Gilgit Baltistan. Data Analysis was done through SPSS-21. The results revealed demographic variables were found to have a great effect on EIP, these variables were also found to polish up the proficiency of urban teen's everyday information practices. The findings would assist in developing helpful guidelines for urban teens to improve their EIP. This study will also respond to a gap in research by explaining the everyday information practices of urban teens.