Use studies of electronic networks: a review of empirical research approaches and challenges for their development

Abstract

The author reviews the major approaches and central findings of empirical research use studies. Six major research approaches were identified by cross‐tabulating two criteria: the major context of network use (job‐related vs non‐work) and the social level of variables (individual vs group level). Examples of all types of studies are presented. The majority of studies can be classified among the surveys focusing on frequencies of service use. From these studies, analyses of job‐related use are most advanced both theoretically and methodologically while studies focused on non‐work contexts of use are less established in this sense. The qualitative research settings seem to gain more popularity, thus making the use studies more balanced methodologically. The strengths and weaknessess of the research approaches are assessed and conclusions are drawn concerning the development of more context sensitive analyses of network uses.