Examination of University Students’ Perceptions of Online Social Capital

ABSTRACT

This study was designed using a quantitative research approach to determine university students’ perceptions of their online social capital levels, employing a survey model. The research was conducted with 406 undergraduate students studying at a university. Participants were selected through a simple random sampling method. Research data were collected using the Online Social Capital Scale. The results revealed that university students’ overall online social capital levels were at a neutral level. It was observed that students expressed disagreement in the bonding social capital sub-dimension, while they reported a neutral level of perception in the bridging social capital sub-dimension. These results highlight the importance of educators viewing social networks not merely as tools for information sharing, but as interactive spaces where students can learn from and support one another.