Investigation concerning the claim that the use of Facebook is correlated with high bonding social capital

Abstract:This investigation is trying to find if the use Facebook is correlated with high bonding capital and the relation of the use Facebook and high bonding capital performing. According to a lot of accessing to literature, some research has suggested that the explanation for these findings may be that the identity information in Facebook serves as a social lubricant, encouraging individuals to convert latent to weak ties and enabling them to broadcast requests for support or information. There are findings suggest that there is weak negative correlation between Facebook intensity (FBI) and bonding social capital by the results of data from a random paper based survey of University of Birmingham students (n = 38).(report代写等请咨询我们tzessay留学生作业网)

Introduction

Facebook provides a great way from any individuals to connect and further expand their network.  Having access to a large heterogeneous network of individuals can pose benefits and equally, disadvantages. Social networks sites generally are treated with the same criticism that engulfed technologies like the television and the Internet when they first emerged. “However, the role that these sites play in the accrual of positive bonding outcomes should not be overlooked, especially when considering that strong ties often become geographically dispersed over time and are thus unable to spend quality face-to-face time together”(Vitak, Ellison, & Steinfield, 2011). Therefore gaining a better understanding into the interactions and social gains/losses that result from theses interactions is important.

The overarching goal of this study was to explore how undergraduates use Facebook to initiate and develop social relationships and to assess the impact of these practices on perceived social capital levels. This study contributes to our understanding of SNS-enabled social capital by identifying specific communication practices (i.e., ‘connection strategies’) on the site, developing scales to measure them, and empirically assessing their relationship to users’ social capital. Furthermore, this study identifies intriguing patterns regarding the quantity and quality of Facebook Friendships as they relate to levels of social capital.

Social Capital and Investigation

Facebook use can act as a catalyst of, rather than a replacement for, offline interaction, supporting earlier research that suggested that ‘highly engaged users are using Facebook to crystallize relationships that might otherwise remain ephemeral’ (Ellison et al., 2007: 1162). Although early work on the subject empl oyed ‘online to offline’ and ‘offline to online’ measures (Ellison et al., 2007), these connection strategies point to an evolved approach to describing interaction patterns which moves beyond dichotomous ‘online’ and ‘offline’ social worlds and instead acknowledges these channels as deeply integrated communicative spheres. Because Facebook is closely integrated into the daily experience of most undergraduate students in the US, we investigated whether some patterns of Facebook-enabled social interaction are more effective than others for actualizing ‘the benefits of Facebook “friends” (Ellison et al., 2007). Social capital is not restricted to a clear, undisputed meaning, but is rather conceived of both a cause and an effect (Resnick, 2001) according to Dolfsma & Dannreuther (2003). It is an "investment in social relations with expected returns in the marketplace" by Lin (2001) interpretation.

The investigation seeks to find if Facebook intensity is correlated with high bonding social capital, following similar work by Williams (2006) and Ellison et al. (2007). Based on existing literature and the purpose of the investigation being conducted, the following hypotheses are proposed:

 

Null Hypothesis: The use of Facebook is not correlated with high bonding capital.

Alternative Hypothesis: The use of Facebook is correlated with high bonding capital.

The alternative hypothesis is supported by studies conducted by Nicole B. Ellison, Charles Steinfieldet al. (2007), showing that there is a positive relationship between Facebook intensity and bonding social capital within a local context. Burke et al. (2011) also state that Facebook data suggest that communication amongst friends lead to social capital gains. However certain studies on Facebook use and perceived bonding capital returned results that where not clear (Vitak, Ellison, & Steinfield, 2011).