What can we learn about social network sites by studying Facebook? A call and recommendations for research on social network sites

Abstract

The substantial growth in research examining social network sites (SNSs) during recent years makes this an opportune time to reflect on the state of SNS scholarship. In this review, we consider what-in the form of specific brands-has been studied. A content-analysis of SNS research published in six interdisciplinary journals between 1997 and 2013 is first reported to better understand the degree to which studies published in these journals have examined various SNS brands (e.g. Facebook, MySpace, Cyworld, Hyves). The results show that more than two-thirds of SNS studies were explicitly limited to a single brand and that Facebook was the brand examined in approximately 80% of these studies. Five implications of this trend are then discussed as potentially limiting what can be learned in aggregate from such a body of SNS scholarship. The review concludes with recommendations for future research on SNSs.

“Same stuff different day:” A mixed-method study of support seeking on Facebook

“…For example, common-bond and commonidentity communities appear to differ in whether and how they share information (Schwämmlein & Wodzicki, 2012), suggesting implications of SNS design for social support seeking. Similarly, differences in the user bases of various SNS can affect the conclusions that we draw about them (Rains & Brunner, 2015). Future research should seek to expand on the current findings in other SNS.…”

“…Similar to previous research regarding social support in SNS, the current study focused on Facebook. Although Facebook is currently the most widely used SNS, examining other SNS is also important for the generalizability and longevity of SNS research (Rains & Brunner, 2015). For example, common-bond and commonidentity communities appear to differ in whether and how they share information (Schwämmlein & Wodzicki, 2012), suggesting implications of SNS design for social support seeking.…”

The methodology of a multi-model project examining how facebook infrastructures social relations

“…Yet, most research, even Facebook's own, is often based on quantitative rather than qualitative behavioural analysis. Rains and Brunner (2014) found, in their content analysis of SNS research published in six interdisciplinary journals between 1997 and 2013, that 62% of a total of 327 SNS studies used traditional survey research and that whilst many applied multiple methods of analysis, only 6% used some form of qualitative research.…”

From seeing the writing on the wall, to getting together for a bowl: Direct and compensating effects of Facebook use on offline associational membership

“…In addition, it analyses possible indirect effects of SNS use on offline associational membership by examining whether Facebook A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 5 use can compensate for a lack of social trust and internal efficacy as "traditional" precursors of offline civic engagement. We pursue these questions by moving away from the well-researched vibrant social media culture of the US (for a similar argument see Rains and Brunner (2015)) by looking at the rather unusual case of Germany. Despite enjoying one of the highest rates of internet penetration in Europe, Germans are notoriously sceptical about social media with social media penetration being among the lowest in Europe (Kemp 2014).…”