Last month it was reported that research from Ohio State University found a link between Facebook use and lower grades among college students. In their attempt to replicate the results of that study, researchers from Illinois-based Northwestern University found no evidence of Facebook use correlating with diminished academic performance. An examination of 3 existing data sets uncovered no significant negative relationship between GPAs and Facebook use. One of the study’s co-authors says more research with more nuanced data is needed to better understand how using of social networking sites may relate to academic performance.

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Source: Academica Top 10 (May 11, 2009)
— http://www.academica.ca/node/7528

Research finds link between Facebook use and lower grades: According to a new study from Ohio State University, college students with a Facebook account spend less time studying and have lower GPAs than students who are non-users. Researchers found that Facebook users in the study typically had GPAs between 3.0 and 3.5, while non-users had GPAs ranging from 3.5 to 4.0. Those with Facebook profiles said they averaged one to 5 hours a week studying, while those without accounts reported studying 11 to 15 hours per week. 79% of Facebook users participating in the study claimed the site did not have an impact on their academic performance. OSU Research News | Sunday Times

Source: Academica Top 10 (April 14, 2009)
— http://www.academica.ca/comment/reply/7333