Critique#2 Bergstrom

Maureen BergstromCritique #2EDET 708May 24, 2009 : 

Maureen BergstromCritique #2EDET 708May 24, 2009 Facebook and academic performance: Reconciling a media sensation with data

Citation : 

Citation Pasek, Josh, more eian, Hargittai, Eszter. (May 4, 2009) Facebook and academic performance: Reconciling a media sensation with data. First Monday. Vol. 14, No. 5. Retrieved May 16, 2009: http://www.uic.edu/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/2498/2181

Controversy! : 

Controversy! Social Networking Good or Bad For students? For academics?

Background : 

Background A Draft Manuscript/Conference Presentation By Karpinski Study (FG) showed correlation between Facebook and grade point averages

Hysteria : 

Hysteria The FG study portrayed the use of Facebook as having a negative effect on students’ grades. A Google News search for “Facebook” and “grades” identified over 500 references to the FG study over a three day span.

Rebuttal : 

Rebuttal The Pasek’s paper revealed the first study was wrong.

Introduction : 

Introduction The study by Pasek, more, and Hargittai, disputes the FG findings. The data in the Pasek study is more reliable, with less room for error.

Methods : 

Methods There are many concerns about the FG study Sampling methods Analysis strategy

Samples Used : 

Samples Used

Findings : 

Findings The results presented in the Pasek paper suggest that “there is no negative relationship between Facebook use and academic performance.”

Conclusions : 

Conclusions The Pasek paper used national longitudinal data to assess changes in academic achievement from 2007 to 2008 A nationally representative panel study of young people showed Changes in academic achievement did not vary with Facebook use when demographic controls were considered Facebook simply does not seem to have a generalizable impact on grades.

Comments : 

Comments The Pasek study gives excellent examples of why the media can spin issues out of control. A paper was delivered at a conference. Media got hold of the draft and blew it out of proportion. A response was given by Ms. Karpinski in which she too acknowledges all the issues brought up in the Pasek paper. “As you know, this is a REALLY basic study. I just planned to do this for the conference to get some ideas and network with more experienced and qualified researchers in this area. I really wanted to have a dialogue with others who are looking into similar phenomena. The media completely sensationalized it, as you know. I have never dealt with the media, and did not anticipate this. I obviously know better now.” (Karpinski email)