The friend justifies the means: How modern friendship is effected, and affected, by the use of online social networks Sarah Kate Merry Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Information Studies, Aberystwyth University 2014 Declaration and Statements Declaration This work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not being concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree. Signed ............................................................................... (candidate) Date ............................................................................... Statement 1 This thesis is the result of my own investigations, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by the use of explicit citations; a full reference list is appended. Signed ............................................................................... (candidate) Date ............................................................................... Statement 2 I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter-library loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed ............................................................................... (candidate) Date ............................................................................... ii Thesis summary This thesis explores UK Internet users’ experiences of creating and maintaining friendships on social networking sites and online communities, with a particular focus on how online friendships compare to and affect participants’ face-to-face social networks. There is a large body of literature regarding online friendship and the use of online social networks. However, significantly less research has been published which focuses on UK- based users or on ‘online-to-offline’ friendships: relationships which begin online and move offline, becoming incorporated into participants’ everyday social circles. This study contributes to the literature in these under-researched areas. The study used a mixed-methods research design: an online questionnaire provided data which facilitated the purposeful selection of participants for face-to-face interviews. Although both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data collection and analysis, the emphasis of the research is qualitative. Much of the current research into online interaction and friendship has been limited by the use of quantitative methods (Amichai-Hamburger, Kingsbury & Schneider, 2013). The qualitative focus of this research resulted in rich and deep data about participants’ experiences of online friendship. The results show that a significant majority of participants had made new friends on the Internet, and that online communities such as LiveJournal are more likely to foster new friendships than social networking sites such as Facebook. It was clear that online friendships are evaluated and measured in the same way as ‘traditional’ friendships. The migration of online friends into offline, everyday social circles was widely reported, suggesting that it is a frequent occurrence among the wider user population. Additionally, the migration of offline friends into online social networks was described by a number of participants, illustrating the use of online social networks to maintain and sustain offline, everyday friendships. iii Acknowledgements I would like to gratefully acknowledge the support and encouragement I have received from both of my supervisors, Dr Anoush Simon and Professor David Ellis. Anoush, you started me on this journey, for which I cannot thank you enough; you’ve encouraged and enthused me, and bolstered my confidence when I was doubting myself. David, you have challenged and motivated me in equal measure. Your different perspectives have, I hope, made me a better researcher. Thank you both. I feel very lucky to have undertaken this research in the Department of Information Studies at Aberystwyth University. I have been supported and encouraged by everyone who works in DIS: I couldn't have asked for a better home while I worked on this research. This research would not have been possible without the funding received from the Aberystwyth Postgraduate Research Studentship and the University of Wales PhD Studentship. To the people who took part in this research: it really wouldn't have been possible without you. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm about this project, and for sharing your stories with me. Thank you also to the #phdchat community on Twitter and the members of the PhinisheD.org Daily Working Board, who have given me so much support and advice over the past few years. So many special people have cheered me on, and cheered me up, during this journey. If I tried to name them all I would certainly forget some, but the most important (and, coincidentally, the most likely to complain if I forget to mention them) are: The Mammy - you truly are an inspiration. Thank you for everything (especially for the baked care packages!). Martha - thank you for the giggles, the support, and for not dying when you had the chance. (Oh, and for the Hula Hoops.) Monomania bonbon! Pat and Dave - thank you for all your help over the past few years. And for taking E off my hands during the final few months...! Jennie - Thank you for being my sounding board, my drinking companion, and for not complaining too much when I send you a sentence out of context asking why it doesn't work. And for saying that I could almost make you believe that quantitative research can be interesting. And, last but not least, Ian. I really could not have done this without you.* You've picked me up, talked me down, and listened to me blither on about things you have no interest in - and, most importantly, you learned early on which questions you should never ask a PhD student (and nearly always remembered not to ask them). Still not bored. * I was tempted to say that you’re the wind beneath my wings… but, honestly, I can’t even type that with a straight face… iv Dedication In memory of my father, Barry Robert Jones (1939-2010). You taught me that nothing is beyond my reach, that every day is a school day, and how to drink like a Morris dancer. Cheers, Daddy! v Table of Contents Declaration and Statements ................................................................................... ii Thesis summary .................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements .............................................................................................. iv Dedication ............................................................................................................. v Table of Contents ................................................................................................. vi List of Figures .................................................................................................... xii List of Tables .................................................................................................... xiii Abbreviations ..................................................................................................... xiv Chapter One Introduction to the Research ..................................................................................... 1 1.1 Rationale for the Study................................................................................................... 2 1.1.1 Early inspiration ................................................................................................. 3 1.2 Research Aims and Objectives....................................................................................... 4 1.3 Methods Used ................................................................................................................ 5 1.4 Scope of the Study ......................................................................................................... 5 1.4.1 Types of relationship .......................................................................................... 6 1.4.2 Facebook ............................................................................................................ 7 1.4.3 ‘Virtual’ versus ‘real life’ ................................................................................... 7 1.5 Structure of the Thesis ................................................................................................... 8 Chapter Two A Review of the Literature .................................................................................. 9 2.1 About the Literature ....................................................................................................... 9 2.1.1 The search strategy ............................................................................................. 9 2.1.2 Types of literature ............................................................................................ 10 2.1.3 Sources of literature ......................................................................................... 10 2.1.4 Limitations ....................................................................................................... 10 2.1.4.1 Chronological scope .......................................................................... 11 2.1.4.2 Geographical scope ............................................................................ 11 2.2 Online Social Interaction.............................................................................................