Instant messaging and social networks: the advantages in online research methodology

The use of instant messaging and social networks in the world today is a concept with high esteem. The efforts of many researchers to merge it with various research methods is still a new trend of strong debate. This study will examine the advantages of instant messaging and social networks in online research methodology scenario. With the advent of web-based messaging applications, one now wonder the difficulties researchers face on a daily basis to schedule a one-on-one interview with the potential participants. Instant message apps are surging in popularity across the world as these apps encourage peer-to-peer communications and allow users to exchange instant messages online and through their mobile devices. This study is done using online focus group discussion consisting of five members expressing their views on this novel domain, the important of instant messaging and social networks on research methods as against the traditional one-on-one interview approach for data collection. The results obtained from the focus group discussions highlight the important of the instant messaging and social networks in research methodology as this indicate a new shift and direction in research advancement.