Best, Samuel and Brian Krueger. “Online Interactions and Social Capital:  Distinguishing between New and Existing Ties.” Social Science Computer Review 24  (2006): 395-410. Print.

This is an empirical study conducted by sociologists Samuel J. Best and Brian S. Krueger that measures the degree of online only interactions a group of people have with other people.  To do this, the authors use s probability survey of U.S. residents.  According to the authors, they find that the “level of online interaction with people met on the Internet positively relates to common indicators of social capital, such as generalized trust” (395).

The authors define social capital as the result of residual engagement of individuals in social settings – be they formal organizations, religious groups, or online communities.  The authors make the argument that social engagement with other individuals over the internet is characterized by: 1) a shared sense of collective identity; 2) closed communities facilitating effective social norms; and 3) the expansion of social networks that enable users to join otherwise inaccessible communities in the meatworld (397).  Recapping Granovetter (1973) the authors note that trust and reciprocity is widened over networks; however, stronger ties prevent further expansion of social networks due to the independence of strong social circles.

After studying the online interactions (CMC) of a large group of individuals, the authors come to the conclusion that indicators of social capital positively relate to the level of interaction with people met on the internet – or, in other words, that social capital is accrued through online interaction with individuals who have never met f2f.

Definitions:

1. Social Capital – “a multifaceted concept comprising elements of generalized trust, reciprocity, and integrity” (401).