Submitted by:
Student name: Ashish Dhungana
Center name: ISMT college
Unit: Computing research project
Semester: Third
Section: Networking (N2)
Research topic: " Excessive use of Internet, resulting information overload and internet
dependency "
Submiteed to:
Tutor name: Mr. Niraj Khadka
Computing research project 2020
Research proposal on:
" Excessive use of Internet, resulting information overload and internet dependency "
Presented by: Ashish Dhungana
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to ISMT College, my teacher Niraj Khadka as
well as our faculty coordinator Mr. Nirajan Rijal who gave me the golden opportunity to do this
wonderful project on the topic “Excessive use of Internet, resulting information overload and
internet dependency”, which also helped me in doing a lot of Research and I came to know about so
many new things I am really thankful to them. Secondly, I would also like to thank my friends who
are willing to support me doing this project in different levels
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
Table of Contents
Abstract: ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4
1.1. Information Overload and Mental Health ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 2: Background of the study ...................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 3: Aims and objectives ............................................................................................................ 6
Chapter 4: Literature reviews................................................................................................................ 6
Chapter 5: Research methodology ......................................................................................................... 7
5.1. Research strategy and method .................................................................................................... 7
5.2. Approach for conducting research .............................................................................................. 8
5.2.1. Comparative study ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.2.2. Data collection .................................................................................................................... 8
Chapter 6: Research schedule ............................................................................................................ 9
6.1. Gantt chart:.............................................................................................................................. 9
Chapter 6: Conclusion.......................................................................................................................... 10
Bibliography: ....................................................................................................................................... 10
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of excessive internet use and resulting information
overload and internet dependency and its exact mechanism. An extended stressor–strain–outcome
research model is proposed to explain how excessive internet use result information overload.
Keywords: internet, information overload, internet dependency
Chapter 1: Introduction
This is the age of technology. As Homer Simpson says of beer, technology may be both the cause and
solution to all of life's problems. Technology makes our lives more certain, convenient, and
entertaining, but we lose our control when it comes to using it wisely without affecting our own mental
health. We have unlimited access to information. The flood of information that swamps people daily
seems to produce more pain than gain and that's what is the situation of Information overload. 'Current
research suggests that the surging volume of available information- and it's interruption at people's
work can adversely affect not only personal well-being but also decision making, innovation and
productivity. Information overload, of course, dates back to Gutenberg. The invention of movable type
led to a proliferation of printed matter that quickly exceeded what a single mind could absorb in a
lifetime. Later technologies from carbon paper to the photocopier made replicating existing
information even easier. And once information was digitalized, documents could be copied in limitless
numbers at virtually no cost.'1
With the information floodgates open, content rushes at us in countless formats: Text messages and
Twitter tweet on our cell phones. Facebook friend alerts and voice mail on our Phone. Instant messages
and direct-marketing sales pitches on our desktop and the ultimate killer app e-mail.
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
Our brains are being expected to cope with data flowing into them from all directions as our computers,
smart phones and connected devices constantly beep, flash and bombard us with information and we
end up being stressed and anxious.
1.2. Information overload and mental health
It is no longer a secret that the human brain is amazing and has an unmatchable power that continues
to keep scientists and neurologists interested. But with the constant flow of information in today’s
world, the brain can get too much overstimulation and this is where the concept of information
overload comes into play. In fact, recent research suggests that the human brain is capable of storing
as much information as the entire Internet, or more precisely, a petabyte of information. Furthermore,
researchers have discovered that a brain cell uses 26 different ways to encode information. Isn’t that
amazingly shocking?
But while this ability makes us feel as if we have superpowers, researchers believe that too much
information puts our brain’s health in danger, resulting in an information overload.
Positive aspect of internet includes the following:
• It provides effective communication using emailing and instant messaging services
to any part of the world.
• It improves business interactions and transactions, saving on vital time.
• Banking and shopping online have made life less complicated.
• You can access the latest news from any part of the world without depending on the
TV or newspaper.
• Education has received a huge boost as uncountable books and journals are
available online from libraries across the world. This has made research easier.
Students can now opt for online courses using the internet.
Negative aspect of internet includes the following:
• Easy availability of illegal or inappropriate materials online that isn’t age-suitable.
• Addiction to social networks can disrupt an individual’s life, both personally and
professionally.
• Some miscreants use the internet to hack into people’s accounts for spurious
activities including stealing data or banking information.
• Yet others have been known to misuse the internet for spreading hate and terrorism,
two dangerously catastrophic scenarios.
Chapter 2: Background of the study
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
Google statistics show that the number of search requests increased enormously over the past twenty
years. While Google’s search engine answered roughly 1000 queries a day in 1998, the company
receives more than 3.5 billion search requests per year now.
- There is way too much information out there
After research I know, this exceptional increase leads to another potential issue:
This means that students have to deal with an overload of information when they try to find answers
to their questions online. The combination of this information overload and long-term memory loss
increases the risk that Internet has a negative impact on the brain. Research commissioned by the
British Library found that the access to too much information has a major effect on students’ evaluation
of content. The study showed that even though all participants reviewed online data in a short amount
of time, most of them lacked the skill to evaluate the information for accuracy.
Therefore, numerous studies have identified linkages between internet use and negative outcomes such
as anxiety, depression, loneliness, compulsive behavior, and narcissism. This is so because they
neglect their personal life and have a mental preoccupation with social media use.
Chapter 3: Aims and objectives
Different people might have different research aims. Generally, the aim of research is to provide
continuous knowledge contribution for mankind. Research is structured to fill the understanding and
to address the commercial enterprises and industry processes and designing. So, it will suggest the
academic purpose and fill the private enthusiasm for filling the understanding as well. The significance
of this research topic “Excessive use of Internet, resulting information overload and internet
dependency” will included the following points: -
1. It will be more beneficial for the others who wants to understand regarding the disadvantages of
internet in today era.
2. It will also be helpful in generating the hypothesis based on the research generated.
3. We will be filled with the knowledge of problems and solution in related to the topics
Chapter 4: Literature reviews
The spread of the Internet and the growing influence of it to such an extent as to constitute a dominant
element in the lives of users, led to the exploration of the consequences that may cause the frequent
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
usage of the internet in the physical and mental development of both young people and adults. Among
the multitude of parameters that make up this new and constantly evolving situation are the exposure
of users to propaganda and racist ideas. Additionally, Internet may offer inappropriate material and
misleading ideas that medicate suicide as a solution. Internet addiction may be causes by the online
gambling and various other forms of gambling for users over the Internet. Especially the younger users
bear a high risk from exposure to the online world through social networks, as the new phenomena
that have appeared such as seduction online, cyberbullying, cheating by hidden advertising messages,
etc. greatly influence their psychology and emotional development and often irreversibly stigmatize
them forever. Furthermore, the development and the spread of the Internet transformed and
modernized the definition of scam. Once users began to use plastic money for transactions conducted
solely on the Internet appeared the cases of extortion of money by deceit, through the theft and use of
personal data of users. Although frauds have always existed, the abolition of personal contact and the
extermination of geographical boundaries provided an opportunity to grow.
Social networking is an amazing technological phenomenon of the 21st century. Social networking
websites allow each user to create and design a personal website, using graphics, color, music, pictures
and give it a unique character. This activity is particularly popular among young people and does not
require specific technical knowledge. On these websites, users through their virtual profile work
interactively with other users, publishing photos and videos, join groups of common interests, publish
and exchange their artistic creations, visit pages of other users and use a variety of applications. The
Internet is a powerful tool in our hands, but if it is not used properly can put someone in a very risky
situation. The challenge of the Internet is to be able to recognize potential hazards, to know how to
prevent the risks and create options to avoid and terminate them.
Chapter 5: Research methodology
"Research methodology is defined as the specific procedures or techniques which is used to identify,
select, process, and analyze information about a research topic" (Alexandria, 2021).
5.1. Research strategy and method
Research method is defined as the technique which tells researchers how to collect and analyze data
e.g., through interview, questionnaire or statistical data whereas research strategy is defined as the
research plan about how the researcher will go about implementing the research method. In this
research quantitative and qualitative data are collect so that quantitative and qualitative research
method is useful for data collection and also for the data analysis. Though I am using mixed type of
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
research method, mainly I am focusing on qualitative research method which include survey,
questionnaires, data collection, interviews. For this qualitative research strategy, I am using grounded
theory research which will help me to study to generate the general theory or action, process or
interaction between people. Since this research theory involves multiple stages of data collection and
coding to refine information, it will be easier me to collect data and in survey.
5.2. Approach for conducting research
Simply, we can understand research approach as, a plan and procedure that consists of the steps of
broad assumptions to detailed methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Though I am
using both qualitative and quantitative research method, my main focus is in qualitative research
method. Therefore, qualitative research method requires inductive approach for the analysis. Inductive
approach includes creation of clear links between the objectives of the research and the results from
the raw data. Hence, it will be including the link between social media use and metal health issues.
5.2.1. Comparative study
"Thinking without comparison is unthinkable. And, in the absence of comparison, so is all scientific
thought and scientific research" (Swanson, 1971). So, "a comparative study is a kind of method that
analyzes phenomena and then put them together to find the points of differentiation and similarity"
(MokhtarianPour, 2016).
5.2.2. Data collection
Data collection is the process of gathering required information by different methods and managing
them in the right format. In this research, data are be collected as following ways:
➢ Secondary Data Collection:
Secondary data is research data that has previously been gathered and can be accessed by
researchers. In this research, secondary data are collected from different sources such as
newspaper, journal, book, internet, research paper etc.
➢ Interview:
Interview Is another method of data collection. Interview can be collected in a person or by
phone or by chatting and can be structured or unstructured.
➢ Questionnaire:
Questionnaires are a popular means of data collection because they are inexpensive and can
provide a broad perspective and they can be conducted face-to-face, by mail, telephone, or
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
Internet. I have made some questionnaire to know the individual thought towards the influence
of social media on our mental health.
➢ Data analysis:
Data Analysis is a process where molded data are examined for interpretation to find out
relevant information, propose conclusions, and aid in decision making of research problems.
After collecting data from different means of data collection, finally I analyzed them and came
to a particular conclusion. For data analysis propose different I used tools like MS excel for
visualization.
Chapter 6: Research schedule
To achieve the aim and objective of the research i.e., to know the “Excessive use of Internet, resulting
information overload and internet dependency”, I have done eleven different types of the activities.
These activities maybe take around 200 days to complete. First of all, it took me about 10 days to
complete on what topic I should research. For the development phase it took 17 days to complete. As
well as for the analysis of the data it took me 16 days to complete. For the writing the summery of that
data it took me 12 days to complete. For the data collection it took me 30 days to complete. For the
numerical analysis it took me 20 days to complete. For the tutor meeting it took me 10 days to
complete. For the production of the final outcome, it took me 35 days to complete. For the evaluation
of that outcome, it took me 20 days to complete.
6.1. Gantt chart:
Gantt chart provides me to a graphical illustration of a schedule that helps to plan, coordinate, and
track specific tasks in my research project. Gantt charts store more information about tasks, such as
the individuals assigned to specific tasks, and notes about the procedures. When we set up a Gantt
chart, we need to think through all of the tasks involved in our project. As part of this process, we will
work out who will be responsible for each task, how long each task will take, and what problems our
team may encounter. Gantt chart of my research project are given below:
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
Fig 1: Gantt chart of my research
Chapter 6: Conclusion
In conclusion, one would say that the Internet benefits are numerous and contribute to the progress and
prosperity of humans in all areas. It offers quick access to information and facilitates communications.
However, Internet is provided in abundance and is easily accessible and the illogical use of the Internet
makes it be quite dangerous, especially for young users. For this reason, users should be aware of and
face critically the information handed at the websites, so that to ensure a proper behavior and delimit
the excessive use it of it. The result will be to never appear any effect that will endanger the personal
welfare of the users. As a matter of fact the logical use and the maintain balance are the key to
maximizing the benefits of the Internet.
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
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Health Organization. 2004
Alexandria. (2021, may 26). Retrieved from [Link]
Barriense-dieas. (2019).
Dean, B. (2021, 04 21). backlinko. Retrieved from [Link]
E, B. (2019, july 15). wikipedia. Retrieved from [Link]:
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Manoj Kumar Sharmaa, N. J. (2021, 05 12). researchgate. Retrieved from [Link]:
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MokhtarianPour. (2016).
Noller, E. a. (2011).
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Swanson. (1971).
Teasdale, W. a. (2018).
Wikipedia. (2018). Wikipedia. Retrieved from [Link]
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Wortham. (2011).
Zuo. (2014).
Swanson, Guy. 1971. Frameworks for comparative research: Structural anthropology and the
theory of action. In Comparative Methods in Sociology: Essays on Trends and Applications,
ed. Ivan Vallier, 141-202. Berkeley: University of California Press
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Ashish Dhungana (HND/Third Semester)
Computing research project 2020
Mokhtarianpour, Majid. (2016). Islamic Model of Iranian Pattern Development Process Model. The
Pattern of Islamic Development of Iran, 4 (8), 9-30
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