PDF of Article: INF Article Review

Provide the citation and attach a pdf of the article (10 pts) 

What is the abstract of the article?  (10 pts)

The growth of mobile devices coupled with advances in mobile technologies has resulted in the development and widespread use of a variety of mobile applications (apps). Mobile apps have been developed for social networking, banking, receiving daily news, maintaining fitness, and job-related tasks. The security of apps is an important concern. However, in some cases, app developers may be less interested in investing in the security of apps, if users are unwilling to pay for the added security. In this paper, we empirically examine whether consumers are less willing to pay for security features than for usability features. In addition, we examine whether a third-party certification of security features makes customers more willing to pay for security. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of risk perceptions on the willingness to pay for security. To explore these issues, we conducted a scenario-based experiment on mobile app users. Results from our analyses show that consumers are indeed less likely to pay for security features than usability features. However, the likelihood of paying for security features can be significantly increased by third-party certification of the features. Based on our analysis, we offer insights to producers of mobile apps to monetize the enhanced security features of their apps.

Was the study experimental or non-experimental? Explain, tell us what made that clear.  (10 pts)

• This study was experimental because the researchers set up the experiment the way they wanted to and came up with questions for the participants to give an answer for. The Authors studied the different variables of app security from the major markets (IOS and Android) and set up a survey for their chosen participants. The researchers also discarded many of the results from some participants that they thought were not giving the questions adequate thought.

Was the research qualitative or quantitative? Again, explain. (10 pts)

• The research was quantitative because they took the results from hundreds of people and calculated the different percentages of the numbers. The survey conducted was in a qualitative form though with questions lined up with ordinal answers.

What was the population studied? Why do you say that? (5 pts)

• The population studied was undergraduate business students which was run at AMT. They only used the U.S based students to get a generalization for the whole U.S. population. So, you could say that the US population was studied.

What sample was used for this study? Explain. (5 pts)

• The sample was narrowed down to 580 students who regularly use mobile devices.

What was the method of measurement? (10 pts)

• Since the research was quantitative the surveys of questions were set up in an ordinal manner with the participants able to choose between different answers. The data collected and calculated would be a ratio measure because the percentages of people would not be below zero that was collected.

What was the method of analysis? (10 pts)

• The researchers used surveys and different scenario manipulations for their analysis and then compared these with third party features of app security.

What was the conclusion of the study? (10 pts)

• This study showed that app security is not as important as it should be especially consumers. The main conclusion was that mobile app users would rather pay for usability features instead of security.

 Why is this study useful to you? Explain in detail. (10 pts)

• This study is useful to me because I am interested in app development along with the security features and how consumers operate them. Smart phones continue to be a huge part of the world and it is important for people to understand how to use them in a safe way. This study also shows me that there are many different levels to app development that need to be taken into consideration. Although I am not completely sure of my future career, I know that I would enjoy working with apps and mobile devices so it’s important for me to become more knowledgeable with how apps operate.

What would be the next logical step in extending this study? (10 pts)

• The researchers acknowledged that they had some limitations with their study. These limitations were that they only used 3 different types of security related apps. Considering that there are thousands of different apps, their results are selective to the three categories they chose.
• To extend the study, it would be logical to use as many categories as possible of apps and put together a survey to be used in different colleges around the US. This study would give them more responses from all over the US and maybe provide them with more accurate results.