From Mirage toward Oasis:

Research Series on Internet Users in Taiwan

Sean TX Wu

ABSTRACT

This empirical research series investigated:

1.   The internet activities in Taiwan and its implication for globalization.

2.   Internet users profile and their behaviors as world cybercitizens.

3.   Suggestions for methodological issues on internet users survey.

There was 31.4% who had accessed internet after a significant change in last couple years. The qualified user who had email accounts was 12%. According to the S-type diffusion of innovation model, internet is approaching the taking off point of the runway.

Though internet is somehow still belongs to the elite, it is not too far away to reach the oasis behind the internet mirage.

The features of internet users in Taiwan looked very similar to users in USA. The world 『cybercitizen』 is quite a real thing more than a concept.

The popular profile of an internet user is male, young people under 30, student or one who has above average income. The most popular purpose for using internet is communication. Internet commerce will wait for the next stage.

Four methodological issues were discussed to initiate integrated perspective:

1.  Defining and measuring who is internet user.

2.  Weighting procedure of estimating uses numbers.

3.  Predicting procedure for future growth.

4.  Initiating to measure sampling precision with 『4 rates』.

Keywords: Internet, User, User Behavior, Diffusion of Innovation, Taiwan