The academic paper titled "Names on Social Network Sites: Facebook in Particular from a Sociolinguistic Perspective" primarily focuses on the use of names by Facebook users, particularly investigating how gender influences the choice between real names and nicknames among university students at Hadhramout University, Yemen.
The purpose of the study is to identify the reasons behind the choice of names, whether real or nicknames, and to explore the gender differences in these choices on Facebook. The study aims to provide insights into how male and female users present themselves on social network sites, considering sociolinguistic factors that might influence their behavior.
The methodology of the study includes two main procedures: first, the collection of 2,061 names from Facebook profiles of students, which were analyzed to determine the distribution between real names and nicknames across genders; and second, a questionnaire distributed to 100 students to explore the reasons behind their choice of names and the strategies they employ in this decision. The data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Key findings reveal significant gender differences in name disclosure on Facebook. The majority of male users prefer to use their real names, while female users tend to choose nicknames more frequently. The study found that 66.75% of male users used their real names, compared to only 33.25% of females. Conversely, 71.43% of females used nicknames, compared to 28.57% of males. The use of nicknames among females was often associated with a desire to create a positive self-presentation and maintain privacy, while males were more consistent in using their real names to maintain relationships and build friendships.
The study concludes that the choice of names on Facebook is strongly influenced by gender, with men more likely to use their real names as part of their self-presentation strategy. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to use nicknames, possibly due to cultural and social norms that influence their online behavior. The study highlights the importance of understanding these gender-related differences in online communication, particularly in the context of social network sites like Facebook. The findings suggest that while women may prefer to use nicknames for privacy and self-presentation, men are more likely to embrace their real identities online.