Theme 3: Research and Theory

Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication (JCMC)

The JCMC is a web-based journal focusing on, as they put it, “social science research on communicating with computer-based media technologies”. The works published ranges from communication, business, education, political science, psychology, media studies, etc.

Social Networking Sites: Their Users and Social Implications – A Longitudinal Study

This paper was publishes in the JCMC in 2012 and aims to examine the effects the usage of Social Networking Sites (SNS) has on its users.  An important aspect in this study is that it compares SNS users with non users. The findings suggest that SNS users on average score higher in the social capital dimensions: face-to-face interaction, number of acquaintances and bridging capital. The research also reports higher loneliness in SNS users. In additions to this the study also identifies 5 types of SNS users: Sporadics, Lurkers, Socializers, Debaters and Advanced users.

The study argues that there is no gradient relationship between the user types, because each type has different characteristics. I find it hard to believe that there would be no gray-scale in between the groups even though general patterns can be found. The distinct user types found is based on Brandtzaeg’s (2010) theories and it’s not impossible to think that the results may be influenced by the theory used.

Theory

In short, theory is constructed knowledge explaining the world and relations between different objects and phenomenon. Theory is not raw knowledge or data. There are different types of theories, depending on how they are constructed and what they aim to explain or do.  This makes it difficult to define what theory is exactly, and is the reason there are different views on what really should be considered a theory.

The theories in the study mostly consist of EP (explanation and prediction) theory. As already mentioned, the different user types derived from the results was based on the theories by Brandtzaeg (explaining what the user groups are, and predicting the outcome based on their attributes).

There are both good and bad aspects with such a theory. Without having any it would be hard to make sense of the results and interpret it, making it hard to come up with any conclusions. But the use of a theory that explains and also predicts the outcome makes the results biased, and different conclusions can be made depending on what theory you use. In a way, theory is both beneficial and limiting at the same time. Without it, it would be impossible to make sense of the world and establish any logical connections. But what if the theory you use is false? Depending on what kind of research you are doing, your theory can be either proves wrong – or your results will be tainted by your preconceptions, without you realizing it.