A Critique of ‘the Benefits of Facebook "Friends: " Social Capital and College Students' Use of Online Social Network Sites’ by Ellison, N.B., C. Steinfield & C. Lampe (2007). Essay Example
This study aimed to investigate the effect of the social networking website 'Facebook' on the creation and maintenance of social capital. Bonding and bridging social capital were examined, with hypotheses stating that the intensity of Facebook use will be positively associated with both. It was also predicted that the relationship between intensity of Facebook use and bonding social capital will vary, depending on personal satisfaction with life. 286 undergraduate American students participated, selected using a random sample. Methods involved a survey where participants gave information about themselves and answered questions (measuring their social capital, Facebook usage and psychological well-being). All hypotheses were supported by the findings of the study, an important implication of this being that Facebook may provide greater benefits for individuals who experience low levels of life satisfaction.
This investigation has been well planned out, the large literature review showing that the researchers spent extensive time looking at previous research in order to aid their own. Findings from different viewpoints, such as research into how the internet can increase social capital and other that suggests it can decrease it, shows that there is little bias and all explanations are being considered.
The researchers' method of selecting participants also ensured there was no bias as every one was selected randomly. However, only Facebook users were included in the research – in order to take the research further it may be useful for future research in this area to target non-users, and assess their levels of life satisfaction and social capital compared with those who are intense Facebook users. Another limitation of the study, is that it involves a specific sample – university students from Michigan, America. This reduces the external validity of the findings, as they cannot be easily generalised to other cultures, for example, British students may have given
This investigation has been well planned out, the large literature review showing that the researchers spent extensive time looking at previous research in order to aid their own. Findings from different viewpoints, such as research into how the internet can increase social capital and other that suggests it can decrease it, shows that there is little bias and all explanations are being considered.
The researchers' method of selecting participants also ensured there was no bias as every one was selected randomly. However, only Facebook users were included in the research – in order to take the research further it may be useful for future research in this area to target non-users, and assess their levels of life satisfaction and social capital compared with those who are intense Facebook users. Another limitation of the study, is that it involves a specific sample – university students from Michigan, America. This reduces the external validity of the findings, as they cannot be easily generalised to other cultures, for example, British students may have given