A Naturalistic Investigation of Media Multitasking While Studying and the Effects on Exam Performance
Abstract
The present study investigated the use of multiple digital media technologies, including social networking platforms, by students while preparing for an examination (media multitasking) and the subsequent effects on exam performance. The level of media multitasking (number of simultaneous media technologies) and duration of study were used as predictors of exam performance in a sample of 441 college students. Analysis of the data indicated that students with low level of media multitasking (0–2 digital technologies) scored significantly better on the exam than students with a high level of media multitasking (7 or more digital technologies). There were no significant difference in the duration of study time between low-level media multitaskers and high-level media multitaskers.
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The amount of studying time between the two groups of students did not differ.
“Yet, the amount of studying time between the two groups of students did not differ.”
From Efficient, helpful, or distracting? A literature review of media multitasking in relation to academic performance (2018) · cites this paper as Patterson, 2017
Students who used fewer forms of media multitasking (0-2 mediums) outperformed students who used more forms (7 or more mediums) on exam scores.
“Students who used fewer forms of media multitasking (0 -2 mediums) outperformed students who used more forms (7 or more mediums) on exam scores (Patterson, 2017).”
From Efficient, helpful, or distracting? A literature review of media multitasking in relation to academic performance (2018) · cites this paper as Patterson, 2017
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- Authors
- Patterson, M. C.
- Affiliations
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore (US)
- Corresponding author
- Patterson, Michael C.
- Venue
- Teaching of Psychology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2016-11-16
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 51-57
- ISSN
- 0098-6283 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-8023
- OpenAlex
- W2557167558
- Cited by
- 55
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 3
- FWCI
- 10.73
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Teaching of Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Personal Information Management and User Behavior
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes
- Keywords
- media multitasking, exam performance, social networking sites, university students, academic performance
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