Wilma - Research Methodology

CHAPTER - III

RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction:

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the research design, the procedures that were followed, the subjects of the study, the instruments that were developed for data collection, and the methods for data analysis.

3.2 Objectives:

The objectives are listed below:

·         To know in depth the role of Social Networking Sites in the society.

·         To analyze the changing scenario of the world caused by the Social Networking Sites.

·         .To highlight the role played by the social networks in bringing a revolution in the history of Egypt and the coverage of newspapers on this issue.

·         To create awareness about the uses of Social Networking Sites.

3.3 What is Research?

Research is nothing but knowledge. It is a scientific and systematic search for related and relevant information on particular topics.

The Encarta dictionary lays down the meaning of research as: “Organized study: methodical investigation into a subject in order to discover facts, to establish or revise a theory, or to develop a plan of action based on the facts discovered”.[1]

3. 4 What is Research Methodology?

Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. Here, the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic behind them are studied.

3.5 Types of Research:

According to Kothari, 2005 the basic types of research are as follows:

3.5.1 Descriptive vs. analytical research

Descriptive research involves survey and fact-finding enquiries of various kinds.

Analytical research deals with the use of already available facts and information and the researcher analyzes these to make critical evaluation of the material.

3.5.2 Applied vs. fundamental research

Applied research works towards finding a solution for the problems faced by society or an industrial/business organization.

Fundamental research is mainly concerned with the generalization or categorization and with the formulation of a theory.

3.5.3 Quantitative vs. qualitative research

Quantitative research deals with the measurement of quantity or amount. Here the data is expressed in terms of quantity.

Qualitative research works towards finding out the underlying motives and desires through in depth interview.

3.5.4 Conceptual vs. empirical research

Conceptual research deals with the abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.

Empirical research relies on experience or observation. Through observation a lot is learnt.

3.6 Documentary Research (Content Analysis):

Content analysis is a methodology of a research that is used to study the content of communication that is documented in some form or the other. This chapter outlined the design of the study, the research methodologies selected and the specific procedure is Content analysis which includes Documentary Research. The content analysis, analyzed the content of communication in the Selected Newspapers such as news stories, essay and articles, analysis and editorials.

In this thesis, the researcher has followed the Documentary analysis. Social research is conducted to find an answer to or explanation regarding any social phenomenon. So the work begins with the collection of data related to such social phenomena which is used as the major topic for research. Throughout the data finding the researcher gets into the topic and gains in depth knowledge about the research. Usually social surveys, in-depth interviews and participant observation are the main procedure undertaken in social science research. Through social science research, the researcher tries to find out the facts and figures related to the topic of coverage and this result in a good analysis which will be the final output of research method.

The documentary research method is cost effective compared to social surveys, in-depth interviews or participant observation. The documentary research methods refer to the analysis of documents that contain information about the phenomenon which the researcher wishes to study.

Payne and Payne (2004) describe the documentary method as the techniques used to categorize, investigate, interpret and identify the limitations.[2]

The documentary research in social science is a useful approach that can be adopted by researchers in full confidence. Because when it is social science there are a lot of available documents through which the researcher can find the varied facts and figures about the data. Documents are produced by individuals and groups in the course of their everyday practices and they are referred in their regular needs. Documents are written for different purposes and are used on a daily basis.

There are two types of documents that are used in documentary study, namely primary documents and secondary documents. Primary documents deal with eye-witness accounts produced by people who has experienced the particular event or has been a part of the event. On the other hand secondary documents are documents produced by people who were not present during the course of the event but who received eye-witness accounts to compile the documents, or have read eye-witness accounts.

Documents range from public through private to personal documents. The list of public document sources include government publications such as Acts of Parliament, policy statements, census reports, statistical bulletins, reports of commissions of inquiry, ministerial or departmental annual reports, consultancy reports, etc. Private documents often emanate from civil society organizations such as private sector businesses, trade unions and non-governmental organisations, as well of course from private individuals. They include minutes of meetings, board resolutions, advertisements, invoices, personnel records, training manuals, interdepartmental memos and other annual reports, etc. The list of personal documents include household account books, photo albums, address books, medical records, suicides notes, diaries, personal letters, etc.

3.7 Significance of the Study:

The study tries to explore the role of Social Networking Sites in bringing a revolution in Egypt and the coverage of newspapers on this issue. This study highlights the role of and their contribution in changing the condition of the society. Here the researcher has tried to analyze different news stories and researched articles on this issue and has analyzed the effectiveness of Social Networking Site in the present scenario.

3.8 Method of Study:

Social Networking Sites have been in the lime light, on and off, for the good, bad and ugly reasons. Evidently, much of the studies have gone into online social networking, as compared to other streams of communication. An attempt to study how have Social Networking Sites and services, have been consuming space in human life, especially among young adults has been done to understand the not so obvious reasons for an obvious phenomena. These Social Networking Sites have gained popularity for one simple reason, the ability to share, with others, information about yourself your interests, your hobbies, your thoughts and feelings or anything you choose.

The effectively used medium today has brought about a revolution in Egypt and has proved its strength and uniqueness in bringing the change in the society. Here the researcher has analyzed four English newspapers (Times of India, Deccan Herald, The New Indian Express and The Hindu) write ups and news stories. The main purpose of this analysis is to show how Social Networking Sites have contributed in the social development and its impact on the society especially in Egypt.

3.9 Presentation of the Content Analysis

The data of the content analysis was analysed to identify the three different themes emerging out of it i.e. Positive, Negative, Neutral and Others perspective in the “Selected Newspapers.” The available data was then quantified with numerals in then represented in the graphs such as the pie chart and bar graphs.

3.9.1 Positive

It means that the Selected Newspapers explain the progress of the Egyptian uprising through Social Networking Sites and highlights the role of Social Networking Sites by publishing news stories, essay and articles, analysis and editorials.

3.9.2 Negative

It means that the news article narrates the story by publishing unenthusiastic news stories, essay and articles, analysis and editorials about the Egyptian uprising through Social Networking Sites.

3.9.3 Neutral

It means that the news article has published news stories, essay and articles, analysis and editorials directly in relation to the Egyptian uprising through Social Networking Sites. It speaks about the direct outcome of the event. In other words the news is reported as it is without any opinion.

3.10 Operational Definition:

a) Social Networking:

A social network is a social structure made up of individuals (or organizations) called "nodes", which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.

b) Websites:

A website is a depository of information destined for public or private use, usually residing in a remote server. When a computer terminal calls the website (using the HTTP or HTTPS protocol) the server responds by sending the information requested back to the user.

c) Uprising:

It is the popular revolt or a rebellion against a constituted government and its policies.

d) Revolution:

It is the fundamental change in political organization, or in a government or constitution; the overthrow or renunciation of one government, and the substitution of another, by the governed.

e) Facebook:

It is a social media, a database for social networking. It is used for communicating and staying in touch with people.

f) Twitter:

It is a social media where in which people keep updating about what they do and whereabouts of everything.

g) Mass Media:

Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies, including the Internet, television, newspapers, and radio, which are used for mass communications.

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[1] Encarta dictionary 2006

[2] Payne and Payne (2004)

Wilma Review of Literature

CHAPTER – II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

CHAPTER - II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 Introduction:

In this chapter, the researcher has reviewed the literature and researched articles which have helped her to go through the research and find the suitable methodology for the particular topic.

Social Networking once meant going to a social functions like family get-togethers, class reunions, festivals, social functions such as a cocktail party, conference, or business luncheon. Today, much Social Networking is achieved through Websites such as Facebook, Orkut, MySpace and Twitter.

Social Networking Services more often than not, have been accused of impacting an individual’s social and personal sphere in a number of ways, of which not all were positive. Also, the booming domain of online Social Networking Services, at the rate of its growth, has instigated scholarly research and attracted specialized studies about the same. Although, the fact that it impacts an individual’s life is accepted and agreed upon, but researchers have presented varied and vivid results from an array of studies carried out in the recent past. Due to some startling observations made by researchers in the past about the negative influences that were said to be observed in the youngsters addicted to online social networking, through websites like Orkut, Facebook, Twitter etc., the change in humanity’s regular communicating habits is apparent.

No wonder, they have been in lime light, on and off, for the good, bad and ugly reasons. Evidently, much of the studies have gone into online Social Networking, as compared to other streams of communication. An attempt to study how have the services, been consuming space in human life, especially among young adults has been done to understand the not so obvious reasons for an obvious phenomena.

Considering the dynamic nature of this contemporary media form, many news reports and articles were reviewed as they were the best way to get an idea about the latest developments in the field. Also, to understand what could have been a better place to study the Internet born phenomena, than the Internet itself. Thus, a lot of content available online was considered for the study. Also, existing journals and research papers were a major knowledge base to provide inputs for the study.

2.2 The Network in the Garden: An Empirical Analysis of Social Media in Rural Life:

Eric Gilbert, Karrie Karahalios and Christian Sandvig

In the literature review chapter, the researcher has analyzed and reviewed a researched article published from the Department of Computer Science and Speech Communication, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The title of the research journal is “The Network in the Garden: An Empirical Analysis of Social Media in Rural Life” by Eric Gilbert, Karrie Karahalios and Christian Sandvig. In this article, the researchers have done a survey on the use of social media in rural areas of America specifically Facebook and My space.

They say that rural communities are famous for using technology in novel ways. When something is introduced to them they don’t readily accept it. It will take time for them to get used to the technology and be the regular user of the same technology. To address the gap between the urban and rural areas in using, this empirical paper has been designed by the researchers which helped investigating the behavioral differences between more than 3,000 rural and urban social media users. Using a data set collected from a broadly popular social network sites, the researchers analyzed users’ profiles, 340,000 online friendships and 200,000 interpersonal messages.

Using social capital theory, the researchers predict differences between rural and urban users and find strong evidence supporting their hypotheses. Namely, rural people articulate far fewer friends online, and those friends live much closer to home. The study results also indicated that the groups have substantially different gender distributions and use privacy features differently. Thus the researchers conclude by discussing design implications drawn from their findings; most importantly, designers should reconsider the binary friend-or-not model to allow for incremental trust-building.

To investigate the impact of rural life on social media, the researchers focused on MySpace.com, the most popular online social network site in the United States. According to the researchers, they offer different features to get close to the people from all over the world. The researchers study focuses on a broadly popular site that has always been open to everyone. So, in this research first the review of demographics of rural America has been done which says about the rural area as a town with less than 2,500 people in America. The social technology in rural America is well used as they are getting used to the new technology, says the study.

The study introduced the following hypotheses concerning rural and urban use:

H1: Rural users will have far fewer friends and comments than urban users.

H2: Females will account for a greater proportion of rural users than urban users.

H3: Rural users will set their profiles to private at higher rates than urban users.

H4: Rural users’ friends will live much closer than urban users’ friends.

H5: As compared to urban users, rural users’ distributions of friends will preference strong ties over weak ties. [1]

To test the hypotheses, the researchers sampled 2000 rural and 2000 urban MySpace users from 4000 different zip codes in the United States. The scripts were distributed online through My Space. The zip codes method helped the researchers to answer the fundamental question of their study without making the design in a complex way.  The study was made simpler by extracting the unused and orphaned accounts. After collecting 2000 rural and 2000 urban users, the researchers removed accounts that had never been used, resulting in a sample of 1,661 rural users and 1,721 urban users.

The study clearly shows that the rural users do not use social networks to find many friends far from home. The findings indicated that rural social networks span other rural areas, creating limited access to social capital and there is also political discourse through social media. This result was through surveys and interviews conducted in these rural areas with specific target groups. Thus, this finding has shown that the rural youth have access to Social Networking Site especially My Space and is used to the new technology. Their access to the social media is to build and expand their friendship with people from other part of the world. The study has proved that rural and urban people use social media in different ways for different purposes. 

2.3 Political communication and participation trend in the social media: Focus on the O1-S-O2-R model application:

Kweon, Sang-Hee and Kim, Wi-Geun

The third analysis is made on the researched paper by Kweon, Sang-Hee and Kim, Wi-Geun from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea under the title “Political communication and participation trend in the social media: Focus on the O1-S-O2-R model application”. This paper explores political communication in the online social network space. This study was made to understand and know the factors affecting political participation on the internet. The target was male and female adults who were equal to or over the age of 19. A total of 861 respondents were considered for the final analysis to test the research questions.

The O1-S-O2-R model was applied on the data to conduct a research questions. Factors affecting awareness of politics on the internet and political act on the internet were empirically analyzed and described. The result proves that factors affecting the direct act of participation in politics through the internet are demographic that is they are depended on the geographical area and individual characteristics, purpose of political act on the internet, use of political websites and awareness of comments on the internet. Totally it speaks about the internet educated users who will be a part of political awareness through social media.

“The O1-S-O2-R (Orientation 1-Stimuli-Orientation 2-Response) model is one, wherein, complex orientations (O1 and O2) are added to the S-R (Stimulus-Response) model, a traditional psychological model (Bryant and Zillmann, 2002; Fukuyama, 2001). Predisposition 1 (orientation) of the recipient refers to the use of media or political inclination before the stimulus (S) and this includes demographic variables and the dependence of online users. Predisposition 2 (orientation 2), which appears after the use of the internet, pertains to the type, awareness and attitude of the political communication message through online activity. As a variable, R denotes the online political act. This model is very helpful in finding out the influence of personal orientation on the selection of political message and that of stimulus (S) on online political awareness (O2) as well as in determining the linear causal relation between political act variables (R).” [2]

Social Networking Sites have caused the revolutionary change in the form of new media throughout the public sphere and political structure. This study was carried out by the researchers to identify systematically the factors affecting political participation on the internet as an activity. The study by the researchers helped them to analyze the various means of political communication through internet. According to the O1-S-O2-R model, the activity of political participation on the internet as a response results from each causal relation of orientation, online activity and result orientation. Systematically, identifying the factors affecting political participation on the internet required checking the causal relation of the different factors.

The study was based on the following hypothesis:

“Hypothesis 1: In political participation on the internet, the predisposition of internet users affects their online activity.

Hypothesis 2: In political participation on the internet, the online activity of internet users affects their result orientation.

Hypothesis 3: In political participation on the internet, the result orientation of internet users affects their response.”[3]

The study was divided into four main groups like Predisposition, Online Activity, Result Orientation and Response

·         The predispositions for the survey on participation in politics through the internet were demographic characteristics, individual characteristics and extent of media use. The demographic characteristics included gender, age, educational attainment and family income.

·         To survey participation in politics through the internet, online activity consisted of the purpose of political act on the internet, use of political websites and online network activity.

·         The result orientation for measuring participation in politics through the Internet consisted of awareness of public opinion on the internet and awareness of comments on the internet.

·         The response included the direct participation and the use of media to involve themselves in political activity online.[4]

The study resulted showing online social networks can have enormous influence on different areas. In the field of politics in particular, the online communication and the use of social media provides a new online public sphere and gives awareness of political communication and activities. Individuals and online media are factors affecting the recipients' predisposition, political communication and participation. The change in the new structure derived from the findings of the survey. It showed influencing factors on political awareness and participation of the public is connected with the size of the social network media. It is also depended on the awareness and activity of individuals and political participants. In other words, this study empirically determined the use of media, network forming style, capital of political communication, social media and the type of activity of political community, and systematically analyzed, described and predicted the causal relation as to how they affect participation in politics and political capital.

2.4 New Media and Children: Internet content preferences of primary school children in Turkey:

The purpose behind doing this research is to show the use of internet in the world of children. As the technology develops and expands, computers and new media play a very significant role. The aim of this survey is to study the internet habits of 6-13 age groups of children. New media is the digital platform developed by computer technology and is widely used by all for different purposes.

The new media tools build bridges between old and new social images. They are the generator of popular culture. The new media is user friendly and is easy to access. Digital media influences everyday practices of human life in many ways. Now even children have involved themselves into online media for different purposes.

“According to the researchers the five fundamental factors which make the media new are modularity, quantity representation, variability, decoding and automation”. [5]

The survey included samples from Eastern Anatolia, South Eastern Anatolia, Marmara, and Aegean provinces. This survey has an investigative quality. The primary school children were asked to complete the questionnaire and the children belonged to 6-13 age groups of students. The survey aims to reveal the new media preference of the children. The questions were on children using internet and internet tools, demographical information of the participants, the variation of their internet content preference, their aims to use the internet, their ways of using the social and network sites in the internet and their rate of holding e-mail accounts and Social Networks. Students were randomly selected for the survey.

The questionnaire was applied to test the habits of children using internet and new media. Most of the questions were Yes/No questions as well as multiple choices. The questionnaire was pretested on sampling of 15 primary school children. Considering the results of the pretest, the necessary corrections were made and were finalized. The questionnaire had 19 questions. The data analysis is done through SPSS 10.0 programme. The data concerning internet usage of the

Children were processed by Chi Square test analysis method.

“The results of the field survey reveals: 61.9 % of children have internet access at home. In addition, 95.8 % of the children were internet users. 49.1 % of the children use internet to play games, 26 % of them to communicate with friends and only 6.0 % of the children use internet to do “homework”. [6]

 

2.5 New Media and Political Communication in Asia: A critical assessment of research on media and politics, 1988-2008:

Ven Hwei and Ran Wei

 

This study focuses on reviewing research on the interplay between new media and political communication in Asian societies. This study contains analyzed articles concerning media use in political arenas in Asian societies that were published in 11 leading communication journals between 1988 and 2008. Analysis reveal that articles were based on theories, and survey was the most frequently used method.

 

Through research, the researchers came up with certain frames to analyse the study and these frames helped them to come up with certain questions which will help them to focus deep into the different categories of the study. Through the literature review they found that survey and content analysis is the most commonly used methodology in all the researches related to media and politics.

 

A content analysis of 11 major communication journals was conducted by the researchers. Journal selection was based on whether a journal is indexed in Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) and it should be through the 20 year time span from 1988 to 2008. Based on these consideration 11 selected journals were

·         Asian Journal of communication

·         International Journal of Public Opinion Research

·         Communication Research

·         Human Communication Research

·         Journal of Advertising

·         Journal of Advertising Research

·         Journal of Applied communication Research

·         Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media

·         Journal of communication

·         Journal and Mass Communication quarterly

·         Political communication

 

All issues published between 1988 and 2008 were examined. Only articles presenting research concerning new media and politics were included for analysis. The selected articles were coded into specific categories:

·         Research Paradigm

·         Use of Theory

·         Research Focus

·         Research Method Used

·         Authorship

 

 

 

 

 

Total of 34 articles dealing with new media and political communication were found in 11 selected journals during the period of 1988 to 2008. The study clearly indicated that the number of articles that take social science paradigm. It also shows the use of theory was common in new media. The methodology used was survey method. The study also reviewed that the Asian Communication Research attracts the attention of American Scholars. [7]

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[1] The Network in the Garden: An Empirical Analysis of Social Media in Rural Life: Eric Gilbert, Karrie Karahalios and Christian Sandvig, pg 3

[2] Journal of Media and Communication Studies Vol. 2(8), pp. 177, October 2010

[3] Journal of Media and Communication Studies Vol. 2(8), pp. 178, October 2010.

[4] Journal of Media and Communication Studies Vol. 2(8), pp. 179-181, October 2010.

[5] Manovich, 2001: 27-48

[6] New media and children: Internet content preference of primary school children in Turkey, PG 1

[7]  Asian Journal Of Communication, Vol 20, No 2, June 2010, 264-275

Wilma - Introduction

Social media is relatively young compared to mainstream media with regard to its origin. However, its popularity has made it a major tool used to exchange views and ideas globally. The ease and wide reach of social media makes it an obliging platform for people to discuss and consider various issues. Claims or warrants made on this medium are quickly generalized due to the manner in which shared statements are posted and viewed by all. The speed of communication through this medium is also an added advantage.

With the advent of internet, especially broadband in India, the entire Indian category has started using internet in their daily life. People have realized that the communication is growing at a rapid rate through internet. Therefore, Internet nowadays forms a significant part of everybody’s life. Recently, lot of research and statistics has proved that a more effective and cheaper online communication technique is social media.

This is not a saying, nor a quote by a famous personality or an influential person. It is a thought expressed by most of the people around the globe who are a part of the worldwide digital society, called the ‘online social network’. This study will try to highlight how the concept of online Social Networking Sites has affected some of the crucial aspects in human life, and most prominently, how it consumed ‘space’ has in the real world.

1.1 The Internet and Communication:

The Internet has revolutionized the way world communicates. It has helped in building the bridge between communication, computers and the world. The invention of telegraph, telephone, radio and computer set the stage for this extraordinary blend of capabilities. The Internet which defines multi-tasking to the world in a lot of respects is itself capable of serious multi-tasking. It is capable of worldwide broadcasting of information, dissemination of information and storage, collaboration and interaction between individuals and organizations through their computers, e-commerce and trade etc., all at the same time, regardless of the geographic location.

According to The Internet Society, the Internet today is a widespread information infrastructure, the initial prototype of what is often called the ‘National (or Global or Galactic) Information Infrastructure’. Its history is complex and involves many aspects - technological, organizational, and community.  Moreover, its influence reaches not only to the technical fields of computer communications but throughout society as we move toward increasing use of online tools to accomplish electronic commerce, information acquisition, and community operations.[1]

1.2 Social Networking:

Social Networking Sites has been a subject of interest for various researchers and scholars especially in the period from 2000-2010. Also, it is interesting to know that it has been of interest even for its mere users who get addicted to the habit of digital social networking, across the globe in various countries and continents. The difference is only its time of arrival. In some countries it is old and established, whereas in some, it is new and promising and in some others, it is yet a distant dream.

These Social Networking Sites have gained popularity for one simple reason, the ability to share with others information about yourself, your interests, your hobbies, your thoughts and feelings or anything you choose. It provides you a centre stage to showcase (almost) all about you. These can quickly be reciprocated by others in your network and by you through messages, comments, instant messaging applications, photos, games, and group interaction.

‘Social Networking' Sites (social networks) offer people new and varied ways to communicate via the Internet, whether through their computer or mobile phone. These sites allow people to easily and simply create their own online page or profile and to construct and display an online network of contacts, often called ‘friends'. Users are able to build a network of connections that they can display as a list of friends. Nearly all sites allow users to post photos, video and often music on their profiles and share them with others.[2]

1.3 Media and Society:

Media is considered as the mirror of the society. It is through the media, people are aware about the daily happenings and changes in the world. The delivery of news, sharing of ideas and the expression of opinions is regularly done through media. As long as one person is able to connect to the internet and express their view about a situation or simply about an idea, then the information that individual will want to share, will get out into the world. The spreading of an idea, or of news occurring somewhere in the world can no longer be completely blocked by anything.

When we say social media it includes the different mediums such as

·         Blogging

·         RSS

·         Social Networking

·         Chat Rooms

·         Podcasts

·         Video Sharing

·         Photo Sharing

·         Message Boards

So the society uses these mediums to share their views, to update their knowledge about everything, and also to get connected to the people from different parts of the world. It has become a part and parcel of their daily life. Social media has changed the way the society works maybe by the way it thinks, maybe in sharing of an idea or in the communication of news. When we say media, the different mediums like print, broadcast and new media come into the media category. These mediums perform their works well as they have to update to the society about everything. Media is a place where the publication occurs and social network takes place when the sharing occurs. Social media has almost become a regular part of our daily life. It has both positive and negative aspects which may lead to the change in usage of the social mediums.

 

1.4 Social Networking: The Fastest Growing Trend on the Internet:

It has been amazing to see the growth of ‘Social Networking’ over the last few years. Almost every ‘Netizen’ is today exposed to and a user of at least one Social Networking service. It is that space where people can develop networks of friends and associates (whether only on line, in real life, or both) and create, share or provide information on similar interests, tastes, lifestyles and other information.

Facebook started as a site for previous College Associates to remain in contact with one another during and after they had finished College. YouTube is another Social Networking Site and not just a repository for uploading various types of videos (as presumed by many) since it provides space for comments and feedback.

Some sites are popular by type of category they use, whereas others are popular by region (like UK and Europe, Africa, etc), but they often have a USP of their own. The only way to know if a Social Network is suitable or apt for one is to research some of these sites on the Internet, ask friends, family or work colleagues who may have already used one (or more) of these sites. Popular , including MySpace and Facebook, are changing the human fabric of the Internet and have the potential to pay off big for investors, but -- given their youthful user base -- they are unusually vulnerable to the next 'new new' thing. As quickly as users flock to one trendy Internet site, they can just as quickly move on to another, with no advance warning, according to Wharton faculty and Internet analysts.

Many-a-times Social Networking Sites have been observed and appreciated for reporting events like fires, storms, and even floods in other countries that have occurred locally in that vicinity instantly, usually even hours before these events are made aware by the media.

1.5 Social Media in Egypt:

Egypt had blocked Facebook and Twitter after the Social Networking Sites were used in the rally demonstrators for extraordinary protests in Cairo against the dictatorship. The president Hosni Mubarak was asked to wind up his authoritarian rule which was started in 1981. Now the ruling party can go according to the law and democracy, which is the major recommendation of the people from many years. This is a remarkable achievement by social media in setting up a revolution through its online activities and brought a change in the history of Egypt. The revolution has shown how social networks get perceived and has an impact on any kind of social movements.

Egyptian uprising was started based on the developments in Tunisia, which was set up with the effective use of Social Networking Sites in curbing the activities of the authoritarian government and their rule. With Egypt’s mass upraising having achieved its main goal of pushing President Hosni Mubarak from power, it has also set a best example of proving the positive and effective usage of social media in bringing the change in the country.

Anti-government activists used the popular Social Networking Site Facebook to plan the protests. They gathered the support of 90,000 users who willingly agreed to be a part of the protests against the ruling party which is considered as the authoritarian government. As soon as there was a wide spread of the usage of the popular Social Networking Site against the authoritarian government, Twitter was blocked in order to prevent videos, photos and other details from the protests from being broadcasted. Soon this was followed by blocking of Facebook. But, by then the popularity of the protest took over by the mass to the street and everybody openly agitated against the authoritarian rule of the corrupt government.  were used as a powerful medium to eradicate the tyranny which prevailed in the country. Social Networking is a very good way to get connected to the family, friends and relatives, but Egyptian uprising has proved that it can be also used in social upgradation and social demonstration. 

1.6 Coverage by the Newspapers:

Newspapers are the important medium of communication. They are the regularly scheduled publications containing news from different part of the world on various events and current happenings. Newspapers have played a very important role in covering the issue on the role of  in Egyptian Uprising. It is the duty of the media to cover the issues and inform people on the activities of the society. The listed newspapers have covered the stories on regular basis on the Role of Social Networking Sites in Egyptian Uprising.

1.7 The Hindu:

The Hindu is an Indian English daily newspaper that started publishing in the year 1878 as a weekly, led by G. Subramanian Aiyer along with five other members of Triplicane. Literary Society, it became a daily edition in 1889. The newspaper has its major base in terms of circulation in South India and is headquarters at Chennai.

According to the Indian Readership Survey 2010 it became the third most-widely read English newspaper in India with a circulation of 1.46 million copies.[3]

In the 1987 and 88, The Hindu’s expose on Bofors arms deal that broke out a major allegation of corruption involving Swedish arms manufacturing company along with Government of India made headlines and embarrassment to the then Congress government led by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. However there are several tags that the newspaper carries along with it being India’s daily read, according to the World press magazine, The Joint director of The Hindu in 2003 N. Murli claimed that The Hindu is politically left leaning newspaper.

1.8 The Times of India:

The Times of India is a daily Indian English newspaper owned and managed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd that is owned by the Sahu Jain family in India.

According to the Indian Readership Survey in 2010, The Times of India newspaper is regarded as the most widely read English newspaper in India with about 70.35 lakhs readership. [4]

The Times of India was established in Mumbai on November 3, 1838, and then known as The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce. Initially the newspaper operated as a weekly edition followed by a bi-weekly format, it was only in 1850 that it transformed into a daily and in 1861 re-named itself as The Times of India. The founder of the newspaper, Robert Knight was also its first editor, the Times group came under prominence for it severe criticisms against the British administration after the first war of Indian Independence. The Times of India, today is published by the media group Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd along with seven other groups in different languages.

1.9 The New Indian Express:

The New Indian Express is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper published by the Express Publications. It was started in the year 1932 as The Indian Express by Chennai-based P Varadharajulu Naidu. After the death of the then owner Ramnath Goenka, the Goenka family split the group into two separate companies in 1991. In 1998, the northern editions, headquartered in Mumbai, retained and renamed Indian Express as The Indian Express, while the southern editions became The New Indian Express. Today, the two newspapers and the two companies are separate entities. The newspaper is well-known for its intrepid and anti-establishment tone.

1.10 Deccan Herald:

The Deccan Herald is a leading English-language daily newspaper distributed in Karnataka. It is published by the Printers (Mysore) Private Limited and has a number of editions in Bangalore, Hubli, Mysore, Mangalore and Gulbarga. The Deccan Herald began its work in 1948. Its sister publications are the Prajavani Kannada daily newspaper, the weekly magazine Sudha, and the monthly magazine Mayura, all of which are published in Kannada. The head office of the Deccan Herald is on MG Road, Bangalore.

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[1]  http://www.isoc.org/internet/history/brief.shtml

[2] http://www.schools.sa.gov.au/speced2/a8_publish/modules/publish/content.asp?id=36277&navgrp=3526

[3] http://www.newswatch.in/newsblog/7983

[4] http://www.newswatch.in/newsblog/7983