Critical Analysis of a Study: Facebook's Impact on Social Capital

This report presents a critical review of a research study examining the relationship between Facebook use and social capital among undergraduate students at Michigan State University. The study, employing a questionnaire survey, investigated how Facebook usage influences bridging and bonding social capital, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. The review analyzes the study's methodology, including the sampling technique and data collection methods, highlighting the quantitative approach and the use of nominal measurement scales. The review also discusses the study's findings, such as the high Facebook usage rate among participants and the positive correlations between Facebook use and social capital. Furthermore, it evaluates the ethical considerations and limitations of the study, including the lack of non-Facebook users in the sample and the study's focus on a single university. The reviewer acknowledges the study's strengths in supporting its hypotheses while also recognizing the limitations that might have influenced the results.

Critical review of original
study

Table of Contents
Question a).......................................................................................................................................1
Question b).......................................................................................................................................1
Question c).......................................................................................................................................2
Question d).......................................................................................................................................2
a)..................................................................................................................................................3
Question e).......................................................................................................................................3
a)..................................................................................................................................................3
b).................................................................................................................................................4
Question f.........................................................................................................................................4
a)..................................................................................................................................................4
b).................................................................................................................................................4
Question g........................................................................................................................................5
Question h........................................................................................................................................5
a)..................................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

Question a)
Social network sites greatly influences the teenagers and youngsters in building up social
capital. The research conducted by researchers with the motive to identify the relationship
between use of Facebook which is a renowned online social site and the formation and
maintenance of social capital. Media primarily focused on negative outcome of using Facebook
by users, the researcher was interested in the situations in which intended audience for the profile
and actual audience aligned in order to eliminate the misconception that media generated on the
Facebook. The rationale of the study is to identify whether Facebook able to bridging social
capital or not (Ellison Steinfield and Lampe, 2007). Due to heavy usage of Facebook and its
interactive and rich platform, researchers selected it in order to testify their hypothesis. Social
networking greatly influencing today's generation in accumulating large amount of friends
online. Social media helps in communicating, interacting, sharing thoughts and beliefs with each
other. Researcher was interested in identifying how Facebook can aid in bridging social capital,
bonding social capital, enhancing person satisfaction and self esteem.
Question b)
In order to accomplish the aim and objectives of the study, researchers have formulated
the research hypothesis. Research hypothesis is the statement formulated by researchers when
they speculate upon outcome of research study. In this context, the hypothesis of the following
study is described below:
H1: Intensity of Facebook use will be positively associated with individuals’ perceived bridging
social capital.
H2: Intensity of Facebook use will be positively associated with individuals’ perceived bonding
social capital.
H3a: The relationship between intensity of Facebook use and bridging social capital will vary
depending on the degree of a person’s self esteem.
H3b: The relationship between intensity of Facebook use and bridging social capital will vary
depending on the degree of a person’s satisfaction with life.
H4a: The relationship between intensity of Facebook use and bonding social capital will vary
depending on the degree of a person’s self esteem.
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H4b: The relationship between intensity of Facebook use and bonding social capital will
vary depending on the degree of a person’s satisfaction with life.
H5: Intensity of Facebook use will be positively associated with individuals’ perceived
maintained social capital.
By formulating hypothesis, researchers were able to test them by using appropriate methods and
tools.
Question c)
In order to collect research data, researchers has used questionnaire survey method.
Questionnaire survey method is best and efficient source when researcher has to collect data
from large amount of population. As 800 undergraduate students of Michigan State University
(MSU) has been selected, researcher prefer to use questionnaire survey analysis. The participants
who participated in the research analysis were compensated $5 credit for their on campus
spending accounts. Questionnaire survey analysis refers to the process of collecting data in
which a set of written questions with a choice of answer has been provided to the participants
(Mackey and Gass, 2013). The participants have to fill the response accordingly and it helps the
researcher to analyse them and generate output from it. Questionnaire are devised for the motive
of a survey or statistical study. In the study, to gather data researcher conducted survey analysis
on Zoomerang (an online survey hosting site) and invited students by providing information on
their email ids. Two reminder email were further send to the students who have not responded to
the previous mails. Data collection is crucial and important process while conducting research
study. The process of gathering vital information and relevant data is known is data collection.
There are various methods through which researchers can collect relevant data and information.
These are broadly classified into two categories which are primary and secondary (Taylor,
Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). As the study was primary researcher has used questionnaire survey
method to gather data from students of Michigan State University.
Question d)
Sampling can be described as precise principle utilised to choose members of population
which are to be included in the study (Brinkmann, 2014). There are various techniques of
sampling which helps the researcher to select precise number of participants from large
populations. In the study, author by using simple random sampling technique select 800
undergraduates from Michigan State University. Simple random sampling most straightforward
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and purest form of probability sampling strategy. It is mostly preferable for choosing sample
among population for a wide range of purposes. Simple random sampling method helps the
researcher to carry out the analysis in appropriate and effective manner. Out of those 800
undergraduates only 286 students have completed the survey and analysis were based on the
those 286 responses only (Ellison Steinfield and Lampe, 2007). The response rate calculated
was only 35.8 per cent. Demographic information about non respondents were not available.
Sampling is the process through which small amount of population has been selected from the
large population (Vaioleti, 2016). Sampling ease up the analysis part and researchers can conduct
the research analysis in most effective and efficient manner.
a)
Researcher took the sample size of 800 undergraduates studying in Michigan State
University. Out of those 800 students only 286 have completed the survey yielding response rate
of 35.8 per cent.
Question e)
The major entity that is being studied in the whole research study is referred as unit of analysis.
In the article, researchers majorly focus on undergraduates studying Michigan State University
and how they use Facebook. Social network sites greatly influences the teenagers and youngsters
in building up social capital. The research conducted by researchers with the motive to identify
the relationship between use of Facebook which is a renowned online social site and the
formation and maintenance of social capital. The questions was framed by the researchers which
helps in analysing their behaviour on building social capital by using Facebook.
a)
After review the study, it was identified that the whole study was quantitative. The aim of
quantitative research is producing data that is further analysed using appropriate statistical tools
and methodologies (Ratheesh, Berk and McGorry, 2014). The results generated are expressed in
numbers which validates the hypothesis of the research study. In the study there were two
variables which were independent variable and dependent variable. The independent variable
was satisfaction with life at MSU which was adapted from Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)
and self esteem which was measured using Rosenberg Self Esteem scale. Dependent variable
was bridging, bonding and social capital.
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b)
From the analysis of paper, it was identified that researchers has used Nominal measurement
scale in order to analyse the data efficiently. Nominal measurement scale differentiate between
items or subjects and other qualitative classifications.
Question f
After analysing the article it was identified that Facebook has garnered a very strong percentage
of users on college campus. In the research, authors identified that out of selected sample 94 per
cent students were members of Facebook. Researcher investigates that whether there is any
significant difference between satisfaction and self esteem of members and non members of
Facebook or not. Due to lack of non members of Facebook, the findings were not able to provide
precise output. In the study, it was identified that students spend 10 to 30 minutes daily on
Facebook. The first finding related with the use of internet and Facebook (scaled beta5 = .34,
p , .0001). It was identified that Facebook was mostly used in the campus and was popular
among the students. It supported the first hypotheses. Facebook is indeed implicated in students
efforts to develop and maintain bridging social capital at college. Thus, the second hypotheses
was underpinned through this finding (scaled beta = .66, p , .0001). To investigate Hypotheses 3a
and 3b, the interaction between Facebook use and the psychological measure was examined. The
hypothesis was supported as there is satisfaction of those who use Facebook was more as
compared to those who does not use Facebook. Thus, through appropriate research tools and
statistical methodologies, researchers was able to support all the hypotheses effectively and
efficiently.
a)
There is no doubt that researchers made diligent efforts in order to collect data and conduct
analysis. The findings proves that Facebook aid in bridging social capital and improve life
satisfaction and self esteem of the users. It was identified that due to lack of non Facebook users,
precise comparison was not made. An alternative conclusion can be that there is not significant
difference between satisfaction and self esteem of those who uses Facebook and who does not
uses Facebook.
b)
The heuristic value of the study was that there is a strong relationship between Facebook use and
three types of social capital, with robust relationship being to bridging social capital.
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Question g
Ethical consideration is very important and essential for researcher while conducting the
research study. After analysing the article it was identified that researcher has emailed the
participants and guaranteed their confidentiality (Lee, 2018). They further explained them the
motive of the research study acquired their consent. In order to enhance the effectiveness of the
research study, it is very important for the researchers to follow ethical considerations and ethical
norms while conducting research study. In order to protect the privacy of participants, researcher
have not disclosed their names, email ids and any other information related with participants.
This justifies that researcher has followed the ethical consideration while conducting the research
study effectively and efficiently (Ellison Steinfield and Lampe, 2007). This is important as
without taking consents of participants, the research would be considered as void and unethical.
In order to enhance the effectiveness of the research study, it is very important for the researcher
follow ethical norms and considerations. The key ethical consideration to be followed was to
ensure the confidentiality and security of participants, protection of collected data, securing
research analysis, etc. It can be understood that researchers has followed all the norms and
ethical policies of research in order to enhance the effectiveness of the research study. Ethical
consideration is very important and essential for researcher while conducting the research study.
After analysing the article it was identified that researcher has emailed the participants and
guaranteed their confidentiality. They further explained them the motive of the research study
acquired their consent.
Question h
Every research has faced one or many limitations while carrying out the research study.
In the research authors have faced few limitations due to which they were unable to generate the
desired outcome. Though authors have not provided limitations under heading, they provide
research limitations in few paragraphs. The research limitations are:
a)
Researchers contends that the study include examination on only one community. As majority of
college students studying in Michigan State University were connected through Facebook, the
researchers select Facebook for study and avoid other social media sites. Furthermore, researcher
have faced issue regarding process of data collection. They have invited 800 students for
participation in survey but only 286 have completed the survey (Ellison Steinfield and Lampe,
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2007). Out of all the participants who have completed survey majority of members were
members of Facebook and only few studnets were those who does not use Facebook. This
impacts on the results greatly and authors contends that bias result has been existed due to lack
of non Facebook users. Another limitation that researcher faced was researcher targeted college
rather than any other organisation or company. Youngsters are connected with Facebook which
impact the result of the study. Lack of availability of key articles and lack of resources becomes
limitations of the research study.
Thus, these were the few limitations that were faced by the authors while conducting their
research study. Overall the aim and objective of the study was accomplished and researchers
were able to support their hypotheses efficiently.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Brinkmann, S., 2014. Interview. In Encyclopedia of critical psychology (pp. 1008-1010).
Springer New York.
Ellison, N, Steinfield, C, and Lampe, C, 2007, 'The Benefits of Facebook “Friends:” Social
Capital and College Students’ Use of Online Social Network Sites', Journal Of Computer-
Mediated Communication, 12, 4, pp. 1143-1168
Lee, K., 2018. Ethical Consideration of Ovarian and Testicular Tissue Cryopreservation in Pre-
Pubertal Children Who Cannot Assent. Law & Ineq., 36, p.95.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2013. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Ratheesh, A., Berk, M. and McGorry, P.D., 2014. Ethical Consideration for Treating At-Risk
Populations. Bipolar Disorder in Youth: Presentation, Treatment, and Neurobiology,
p.133.
Taylor, S.J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
Vaioleti, T.M., 2016. Talanoa research methodology: A developing position on Pacific
research. Waikato Journal of Education, 12(1).
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