Date of Graduation
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
Committee Chair
Terry L. Wimmer
Abstract
This is a theoretically based study on the theory of technological determinism and its reach into mass media theory regarding the Internet. Participants in this study were given Internet logs that allowed for their Internet travel purposes to be recorded. They were also given a survey that broke them into categories based on ideology and experience with the Internet. The data from this study suggest that technological determinism does play some part in an individualís use of the Internet; but is not a complete explanation. The data from this study suggest that other theories that were examined such as, agenda setting, group determinism and uses and gratifications, may also be factors. This study suggests that there is a symbiotic relationship between technology and society that needs to be more fully examined.
Recommended Citation
Burns, Daniel Thomas, "A qualitative study of the reach of technological determinism into mass media theory regarding Internet uses." (2004). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 10792.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10792