How Communities Come Together On Facebook

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Facebook is an internet site that can be accessed by anyone who chooses to create a profile. Users must be over 13 and can come from any country. Facebook currently has over 140 million users worldwide. While the network originally exclusively serviced college students, it has become a network that still services the college market but is no longer exclusively for college students. Now, social networking sites of all kinds (not just Facebook) are in common use by a wide variety of users of many different ages. From a stunning 82% adoption rate among 18-24 year old internet users to a 20%adoption rate among 35-49 year old internet users, online social networking is significant and here to stay.This study helps to evaluate the ways through which different communities come together on Facebook.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Outline of the Study1

1.2 Background of the Study1

1.3 Aim of the Research4

1.4 History of Facebook4

1.5 Communities on Facebook9

1.6 Aims of the Bachelor Thesis10

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW11

2.1 Philosophical Assumptions11

2.2 Theoretical Foundation12

2.3 Social Media15

2.4 Motivation for Social Network Usage16

2.5 Barriers And Risks Of Social Networks18

2.6 The Positive and Negative Effects of the Internet and Social Networks on Society19

2.7 Personality Traits of Facebook Users20

2.8 Online Manifestations of Users Offline Issues21

2.9 Public Nature of Online Interactions23

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY25

3.1 Snowball Sampling25

3.2 Questionnaire Design25

3.3 The Creation of the Survey and the Collection of the Data26

3.4 Data Analysis Procedure26

3.5 Literature Search27

3.6 Philosophical Framework or Paradigm27

3.7 Reliability28

3.8 Research Validity29

3.9 Confidentiality29

3.10 Ethical Considerations30

3.11 Limitations of Facebook Use30

3.12 Limitations and Suggestion for Future Research31

3.13 Recommendations32

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND ANALYSIS33

4.1 Snowball Sampling for Facebook33

4.2 Demographics34

4.3 The Motivations37

4.4 The Feelings toward Facebook49

4.5 Use of Facebook51

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION56

5.1 Virtual Communities in Facebook61

5.2 Effect of Facebook on Different Communities61

REFERENCES67

APPENDIX71

Survey Questionnaire71

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Outline of the Study

This research concentrates on the different communities who use Facebook and incorporates the following chapters:

Introduction

Literature Review

Methodology

Discussion and Analysis

Conclusion

1.2 Background of the Study

The use of the Internet as a communication tool has become more and more commonplace, particularly among younger generations (Boyd, 2011; Wolak, Mitchell, & Finkelhor, 2002). According to a 2009 PEW study, 87 percent of teenagers have some form of Internet access, and among those connected teens, 55 percent have created a profile on a social networking site (Boyd, 2011). While there are numerous social networks available, one of the most well-known is Facebook. Since its inception in February 2004, Facebook has grown exponentially. According to its fact sheet (listed on the facebook.com website), the social network has 500 million active users as of 2011. Due to the incredible growth of ...