Acceptance model and use of technology in science and technology domain

Abstract

The research is intended to develop the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in the science domain and determine whether it could provide enough explanation of the acceptance in terms of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and attitude towards use and intention of use in the science and technology domain. The study has investigated the contribution to technology acceptance by examining a research model that integrates age, gender, technology competency and the difference in the acceptance and use of technology and research equipment across the fields of science, engineering and technology. This study has analysed how age, gender and technology competency influence perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude towards use and intention of use in the science and technology domain. The study has revealed that age in relation to perceived usefulness and intention to use is not a factor. Gender in terms of perceived usefulness and attitude towards use is also not a factor. From this survey the technology competency factor was neither proved nor rejected, because in two of the survey questions respondents agree while in the other two they disagree. Therefore further study with a larger sample (much more than 40) is recommended to shed more light on this question. The full scope of research envisages that scientists, engineers and technologists form the sample of the respondents. However, there was difficulty in finding the two other groups, namely engineers and technologists. Therefore the conclusions drawn about difference in the acceptance and use of technology and research equipment across the fields of science, engineering and technology would be of limited applicability.