How are Tulsans Using Cell Phones?
A Study by Denise White
Oklahoma State University
HypothesisThe younger generation uses cell phones for a wide variety of purposes, and the middle-aged and older generations use them for more traditional purposes like calling and texting.
Data Collection•Administered survey at the Food Pyramid shopping area on 101st and Memorial.•Survey was only given to adults (ages 18 and over) who own a cell phone.•Respondents were classified into one of three age groups: • 18-29: Younger• 30-49: Middle-Aged• 50 and Over: Older
Age Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
I make most of my phone calls from my cell phone.
I send text messages from my cell phone.
I check my email and surf the internet on my cell phone.
I send and receive files from my cell phone.
I use my cell phone for other applications.
The Survey
Results•A total of 33 people responded to the survey; 11 from each age groupwith equal numbers of males and females.•Upon analyzing the results, I realized that a Likert scale was not appropriate for these questions. •Because most people answered either “strongly agree” or “strongly disagree”, I converted the data to yes/no responses.
How Tulsans Use Cell Phones
Uses Cell
for P
hone Call
s
Sends T
ext M
essage
s from Cell
Uses Cell
to Check
and Su
rf Inter
net
Sends a
nd Receive
Files
from Cell
Uses Cell
Phone for O
ther Applica
tions0
2
4
6
8
10
12
YoungerMiddle AgedOlder
Conclusions•My hypothesis was not correct. •According to my data, although all younger respondents use their cell phones to make calls and text, the middle-aged group uses their phones for a wider variety of purposes.•When debriefing with the respondents, the trend I discovered was that many younger respondents were not able to afford the fees required for the additional services on their cell phones, but the middle-aged group was able to afford theservices and learn the technology necessary to utilize them.