I found a study from 2019 that has to do with the relevance in using Linked in as a way to get relevant job information more rapidly. (Reference also at bottom.)
Provide the citation and attach a pdf of the article
Utz, S., Breuer, J. (2019, Mar 1). Research Article: The Relationship Between Networking, LinkedIn Use, and Retrieving Informational Benefits. [PDF]
The PDF is posted here as Article Review.
What is the abstract of the article?
Previous research has shown that users of social network sites designed for professional purposes, such as LinkedIn, report higher professional informational benefits than nonusers. However, this effect could only be partly explained by social media use as there was also a selection effect, such that people who have more informational benefits were more likely to use LinkedIn. The goal of this study was to explore whether differences in networking, defined as a set of behaviors with the aim of building, maintaining, and using internal and external contacts for instrumental purposes, can explain this selection effect. We used data from a panel study with a representative sample of Dutch Internet users (n = 685; 259 LinkedIn users) to examine the relationships between networking and LinkedIn use as well as professional informational benefits, that is, timely access to relevant information. The results showed that people scoring high on external networking (but not internal networking within their organization) are also more likely to use LinkedIn. External networking was also positively correlated with active and passive use as well as the number of strong and latent ties on LinkedIn. However, in a mediation model the direct effect of networking on informational benefits was not mediated by actual social media use and network composition; instead, the number of weak ties had a direct effect on informational benefits. The results thus indicate that networking is a major driver of informational benefits from LinkedIn use.
Was the study experimental or non-experimental? Explain, tell us what made that clear.
This study was non-experimental. The method used was to survey the group about their use of LinkedIn.
Was the research qualitative or quantitative? Again, explain.
The research was quantitative since the measures that were used are numbered answers that lend themselves to easily fit in a graph and show numeric results.
What was the population studied?
Dutch users of LinkedIn.
What sample was used for this study?
They used a sample of 685 working people from a larger study on Dutch internet users. Of this sample 259 used LinkedIn. Those users were then surveyed about their use of LinkedIn.
What was the method of measurement?
- If the research was quantitative, was the measurement scale used, Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, or Ratio?
The scale used was ordinal since they had a scale ranging from “Strongly Agree” to “Strongly Disagree” for some of the questions and a “Very Often” to “Not At All” range for several other questions.
What was the method of analysis?
- If the research was quantitative, what statistical tools were used to analyze the data?
Logistical regression and a median model using PROCESS model 4 were used to analyze the data and establish correlation between LinkedIn Use and Receipt of useful information.
What was the conclusion of the study?
All of the hypotheses were supported by a positive correlation except for frequency of posting which was not significant. Therefore using LinkedIn is positively correlated with receiving useful information. Having strong internal networking is positively correlated with LinkedIn use. Having strong external networking is positively correlated with LinkedIn use. External Networking is positively correlated with increased number of connections. However, the amount of posting you do on LinkedIn is not significantly correlated with external networking.
Why is this study useful to you? Explain in detail.
This study was useful to me as a way to look at workplace oriented social media as a way to get relevant job information while not necessarily being required to spend a lot of time posting things. In this way it can be useful since you can find out useful information without having to spend large amounts of time on the network. I think that knowing how a social media can help its users is good information to anyone working on new platforms or redesigning existing ones to be more helpful. As a student who is going into the technology industry understanding how the things that you build and maintain are helpful to the people who use them can make work more meaningful and also lead to innovations that may not otherwise come about.
What would be the next logical step in extending this study?
This study could be made done in another country to determine if the results are similar or if this was more of a study on the social working habits of people in the Netherlands. If that kind of study has already been conducted the next step would be to determine what kinds of information was most likely to be useful to the users and how many connections of each type they had before they started getting useful information on a regular basis. Also finding out what the sources of this information are most likely to be would be a good place to go to further the research.
References:
Utz, S., Breuer, J. (2019, Mar 1). Research Article: The Relationship Between Networking, LinkedIn Use, and Retrieving Informational Benefits. [PDF]
Hello,
I think this study correlates strongly with our previous assignment where we researched out potential future employers. LinkdeIn can be an excellent source to gain insight into a company and connect with its employees. Taking a look at the study, I feel they did a good job of quantifying vague concepts and establishing measurement criteria for the data they collected. It is certainly hard to establish how beneficial work-related information and opportunities are in a scientific sense but their operational definitions are clear and relevant. Your answers did not necessarily make what was being researched clear to me but I do not feel like any of the questions being asked require that either. Your topic conclusions are well done and I feel like I have a good idea of the conclusions of the research. I also think your ideas of conducting the same experiment within a different geographical location is a great idea. I would be particularly interested to see if other countries posted more information that others and how much value they placed within it. I think this is a well constructed post that, admittedly, got me to look at my own neglected LinkedIn account.
Thanks for sharing this article with us. I didn’t realize how beneficial LinkedIn can be. To be honest, I’ve always avoided it. I think your idea of expanding this study and carrying it over to other countries is a great idea. I would be interested to see how the American results differ. Adding in qualitative results is another great way to take this research to the next level.
What do you think about turning this into an experimental study? Researchers could create a control group who does not use LinkedIn and an experimental group who does. They could then use observation, interviews, and polls to see how each group receives information and networks.
Great article. My eyes perked when I saw the title. I always was bad and a little awkward on how exactly you are suppose to use your Linkdin account. I always kind of felt people are too fake on their linkdin account.