An investigation of the attitudes and barriers of the use of computer technology among track and field officials in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes and barriers of the use of computer technology among track and field officials, and to discover the needs of information technology in Taiwan. It was designed based on a mixed method. The quantitative method was conducted to determine the attitudes and barriers by using computer technology among track and field officials and the subjects involved with 135 track and field officials who participated in the Chinese Taipei International Athletic Meet in Tainan City on May 29-30, 2008. A total of 101 responded for an effective response rate of 74.8%. An quantitative instrument included demographics and the Attitudes Toward Computer Technology Scale in Chinese version (ACT). Barriers in the Use of Computer Technology in Chinese version (BUC) was used as the research tool. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and percentage), t-test, MANOVA, and Bonferroni. The .05 level of significance was used for all statistical analysis. Furthermore, fifteen officials who have experience serving as chief officials and who participated in this championship were selected for a further face-to-face interview with a formal and semi-structured format. The qualitative method was designed to explore the needs of information technology. A significant difference was found between professions and the set of comfort/anxiety. Analysis showed that the age groups of 21-30 and 31-40 had stronger feelings of comfortable in the use of computer technology than the age group of 60 up. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the officials who have a master's degree had more comfortable feelings about using computer technology than those with a junior college degree. The results determined 7 factors as either barriers or facilitators in the use of computer technology, including administration, training, software, support, time, equipment, and facilitator. Most of 15 track and field officials who participated in the following interviews indicated that the existing systems such as registration system, distance measurement system, starting system, photo finish system, wind gauge system, and recording system should be connected with each other to replace the traditional delivery approach---paper and pencil. However, a recording system of track events for judging should be developed to complete the information technology in the professional area of track and field. Finally, the track and field officials have strong positive attitudes toward computer technology, feel comfortable using computer technology, and see technology as a useful tool.