The relationships between computer self-efficacy and personal characteristics of the beginning information systems student

Computer self-efficacy is the belief a person has in his or her ability to accomplish certain computer tasks. This belief is due in part to an individual's past experiences and other characteristics. This paper reports results of a survey measuring the relationship between computer self-efficacy and various personal characteristics of beginning information systems students. Results supported hypotheses stating that students expecting higher course grades would express greater computer self-efficacy than those expecting lower course grades, that students with prior computer experience would express greater computer self-efficacy than those with lesser or no prior experience. Results also indicated the more "internal" locus of control a student has the greater the reported computer self-efficacy would be, and the greater the need for problem solving ("need for cognition"), the greater the reported computer self-efficacy would be. Results did not support three hypotheses, which are discussed. Instructional implications are provided.