oa Qatari women and the internet: an analytical studyfor patterns of use and utilization

The State of Qatar has exerted relentless efforts towards activating the participation of Qatari women in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in general and the use of the internet in particular. Female participation and involvement in this field is considered to be one of the priorities included in the plans and projects of the Qatar's ICT Strategy. However, research endeavors which analytically address the use of the internet by Arab women in general, and Qatari women in particular, are rather scarce.

The main purpose of this research paper, representing a national survey sponsored by Qatar's SCFA, is to investigate the patterns of use and utilization of the internet by Qatari women. In its attempt to achieve this purpose, the paper explores the impact of social, marital, educational, and economic status of Qatari women on their use of the internet. It also identifies Qatari women views and attitudes towards the internet as well as the difficulties and obstacles that impede their use. Hence, it provides a clear understanding of Qatari women's utilization patterns of the internet concerning the frequency, aims, methods of use, and the impact of this use on various aspects of their daily life.

The study adopts an analytical descriptive method. A survey instrument in the form of a questionnaire was designed and administered as the main data collection tool for the purpose of this study. The validity and reliability of this instrument were determined using referees validation and pilot trial sample respectively.

The main factions of Qatari women representing the population of the study include government employees, private sector employees, public sector employees, university students, and housewives. A total of 2367 questionnaires were distributed among a stratified random sample of Qatari women in 26 of the major employers in Qatar including: ministries, universities, banks, financial organizations, and major corporations such as QTEL, HMC, and QP. The response rate was relatively high, 1618 questionnaires were returned representing a response rate of 68.3%. Both descriptive and inferential statistics techniques were employed for the purposes of data analysis.