A new study published in First Monday calls into question findings from an Ohio State University dissertation that showed a link between frequent Facebook use and poor grades.
The earlier study by Aryn Karpinski garnered a lot of media attention in April 2009 when a negative relationship between use of Facebook and lower grades and time spent studying was reported.
The new study, conducted by researchers afilliated with the Berkman Center for Internet& Society at Harvard University, attempted to replicate Karpinski’s results, paying particular attention to the problems associated with accurate sampling. The results showed no negative relationships between FB and grades.
Northwestern U. quotes one of the researchers Berkman Center researchers:
““I suspect that basic Facebook use — what these studies measure –simply doesn’t have generalizable consequences for grades,” saidHargittai, whose research explores the social and policy implicationsof the Web. The doubt cast on the use of social networking sitesvis-à-vis students, the study suggests, is reminiscent of suspicionscast on earlier new media, including TV and motion pictures, and theireffect on children.”