Extended Technology Acceptance Model for SPSS acceptance among Slovenian students of social sciences

Abstract

Background and Purpose - IBM SPSS Statistics is among the most widely used programs for statistical analysis in social sciences. Since SPSS can provide the practical skills to analyze data and make informed decisions, it is also used by market researchers, health care researchers, education researchers, survey companies, government, marketing organizations, and others. Due to many practical values SPSS is frequently used as a tool for teaching statistical concepts in many social science university programs. In our opinion, motivation to learn and to use SPSS during the studying process plays a significant role in building a positive attitude towards SPSS which influences its usage at the professional level, after finishing the study.
Design/Methodology/Approach - The aim of this paper is development of the model for analyzing the acceptance of the SPSS among the university students of social sciences. The model is based on the widely known Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Beside the traditional components of the TAM, the following six external variables were included: “SPSS Self Efficacy”, “Computer Attitude”, “Statistics Anxiety”, “Statistics Learning Self Efficacy”, “Statistics Learning Value” and “Satisfaction with Achievements”. The model is tested using the web survey performing on the university students of social sciences from seven different faculties of three Slovenian universities.
Results – The evaluation of the questionnaire was performed. The dependencies among the model components were studied using the regression analyses and the significant dependencies were pointed out.
Conclusion - Results of the empirical study prove that all external variables considered in the model are relevant, and directly influence the “Perceived Usefulness” and “Perceived Ease of Use” which are the key components of the traditional TAM. Therefore, our model is useful to study the adoption and continuous utilization of SPSS among the students of social sciences. Results obtained are of great importance for educators, and can help them to improve the learning process.