Common statistical tests were carried out in further analysing the results obtained to establish some associations among the variables using the chi-square statistical test and Mann- Whitney U tests based on gender from the data collected from the students. We also tested for security issues from students’ and educators’ standpoints. For survey questions related to students only, we determine if there is a gender difference on:
The importance of m-learning security to the students; The risks of m-learning to the students;
The effects of m-learning security breaches to the students. Thus, the following hypotheses were tested:
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H1: There is gender difference on how important the students consider the security of their m-learning devices;
H2: There is gender difference on the risks of m-learning devices among the students; H3: There is a gender difference on the effect of security breach among the students. The first hypothesis was tested using the chi-square statistical test for dependency based on gender differences in order to determine the importance of the security of mobile devices to the students.
Table 4.1 How important do students consider the security of their mobile devices? Results: How important is the security of m-learning device for students
Very important Important Not important Row Totals
Female 44 (44.62) [0.01] 18 (16.80) [0.09] 1 (1.58) [0.21] 63
Male 41 (40.38) [0.01] 14 (15.20) [0.09] 2 (1.42) [0.23] 57
Column Totals 85 32 3 120
The chi-square statistic was calculated as 0.6408, P-Value as 0.725852 at the confidence interval of 0.05. The test shows that there is no gender difference on how important the students consider the security of their m-learning devices.
The second survey question on the risk and security issues that students experience when using their mobile devices for learning, Mann- Whitney U test was used for the calculation as shown in table 4.2 and table 4.3 below.
Table 4.2: Ranking of female and male on m-learning security
Gender Participants mean of ranks sum of ranks
Female 63 5.8 29
Male 57 5.2 26
Total 120 5.5 55
Table 4.3: Mann- Whitney test on m-learning security Test m-learning security threats
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Z 0.2089
Asump. Sig (2-tailed) 0.83366
According to table 4.3, since the value of Z is less than 1.96, there is no significant difference between female and male students’ experience in relation to the security threats in m-learning. This implies that there is no gender difference on the risks of m-learning devices and that both male and female observe similar security risks. On the third survey question, the result was further analysed using the Mann- Whitney U test as shown in tables 4.4 and 4.5.
Table 4.4: Ranking of female and male on m-learning security effects
Gender Participants mean of ranks sum of ranks
Female 63 5.9 29.5
Male 57 5.1 25.5
Total 120 5.5 55
Table 4.5: Mann- Whitney test on m-learning security effects
Test m-learning effects
U Mann - Whitney 10.5
Z 0.3133
Asump. Sig (2-tailed) 0.75656
The test shows that there is no significant difference in the hurtful effects felt by the students in the event of an m-learning security breach. This implies that both the male and female students experience the same effects on m-learning security risks.
For survey questions that are related to all the main stakeholders, further statistical analyses were carried out to compare the security issues and their effects on students and academic staff, the two focal users of m-learning systems. Thus, the following hypotheses were tested:
H4: There is significant difference between the students and educators on the security risks in m-learning;
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H5: There is significant difference between the students and educators on the effects of m-learning security.
Table 4.6 and Table 4.7 below show the calculation of m-learning security issues that these users may face using a Mann-Whitney U test for dependency.
Table 4.6: Ranking of students and staff in m-learning security
Stakeholders Participants mean of ranks
sum of ranks
Students 120 10 50
Academics/support 30 4 28
Total 150 6.5 78
Table 4.7: Mann- Whitney test on m-learning security threats
Test m-learning security threats
U Mann -
Whitney 0 (critical value of u = 5)
Z -2.7608
p-value (2-tailed) 0.05
According to Table 4.7, since the value of Z is less than -1.96, there is a significant difference between students’ and educators’ experience in relation to the security issues that each set of stakeholders face in the use of m-learning. This implies that the educators and students have different views on the m-learning security issues and they are being exposed to different risks which may be due their different use of mobile devices in education. While academic and support staff use their m-learning for teaching and passing knowledge, the students use their m-learning devices for learning. These different standpoints are further explained in the discussion section. Furthermore, the Mann- Whitney U test was also performed on the data obtained regarding how the users are affected by the security threats in m-learning. The results of the statistical tests are shown 1n Table 4.8 and Table 4.9 below.
Table 4.8: Ranking of main stakeholders in m-learning
Stakeholders Participants mean of ranks
sum of ranks
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Students 120 7 35
Academics/support 30 4 20
Total 150 5.5 55
Table 4.9: Mann- Whitney test on main stakeholders
Test m-learning security effects
U Mann -
Whitney 5 (critical value of u = 2)
Z -1.4623
p-value (2-tailed) 0.05
According to Table 4.9, there is no significant difference between students and academic/ support staff experience in relation to the security effects on stakeholders in m-learning. This implies that both stakeholders are exposed to the same or similar security risks when using m-learning. This assertion is factual because, being stakeholders, they both suffer loss of confidential information and privacy as well as psychological effects. In addition, academics and support staff are likely to suffer loss of control over e-exams and content quality while the effect on students are likely to include loss of study hours and performance.