What does this research mean for the field?

University students primarily use e-mail to ask instructors about assignments, and gender dynamics significantly influence this communication, with female students being the most likely to contact male instructors. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research investigates how gender and other factors influence students' use of e-mail communication in academic settings.

June 19, 2026

IMPACT OF GENDER AND OTHER DETERMINANTS ON STUDENTSâ€™ USE OF E-MAIL COMMUNICATION

Key Points

This research investigates how gender and other factors influence students' use of e-mail communication in academic settings.
Survey conducted with students enrolled in public relations and mass communication courses at two U.S. universities.
Participants assessed their e-mail use habits and preferences in communication with instructors and peers.
Analysis included the impacts of gender, year in school, and preferences for face-to-face communication.
Students preferred e-mail for inquiries about assignments, least for contacting parents.
E-mail communication was notably higher with male instructors, especially among female students.
Findings suggest significant gender influences on student communication preferences.

Abstract

Students enrolled in public relations and mass communication courses taught at two medium-sized universities in the United States of America participated in a survey that examined student e-mail use and factors that impact it. Respondents most often reported using e-mail to ask instructors questions about assignments and reported contacting parents via e-mail least. Results also indicated that students enjoyed using e-mail to communicate with a male instructor over a female instructor, and female students were most likely to contact a male instructor via e-mail. The study also looked at year in school and preferences for face-to-face communication to determine if they had an impact on using e-mail. Suggestions are made for future research in this area. Key Words: E-Mail, Technology, Gender JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 1, No. 2, October 2009, 1 – 11. About the authors *Bradford L. Yates, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Mass Communications, University of West Georgia, Department of Mass Communications & Theatre Arts, 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30118-4400, U.S.A. **Brigitta R. Brunner, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Communication & Journalism, 217 Tichenor Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849-5211, U.S.A. Full Article Words: 5,569 Pages: 11 To access full article, click on download. Article Citation Yates, B. L. & Brunner, B. R. (2009): Impact of gender and other determinants on students’ use of e-mail communication. Journal of Communication and Media Research 1(2): 1 – 11

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IMPACT OF GENDER AND OTHER DETERMINANTS ON STUDENTSâ€™ USE OF E-MAIL COMMUNICATION

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Abstract

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