Overview: In this assignment, you will conduct your own mini research study to compare and contrast a long-distance friendship with a geographically-close friendship. After completing the study, you will write a short 1–2 page paper drawing conclusions about the two relationships.
Think about one long-distance friendship. This is a friend with whom you do not have frequent face-to-face contact (i.e., whom you only see a few times each year), and with whom you communicate via communication technology (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, email, instant messaging, text messaging, etc.). Now, repeat this process thinking about one friend with whom you have a high amount of face-to-face contact (i.e., you see them at least every two weeks if not more).
A. Circle the response that accurately reflects your long-distance friendship.
1. How often do you communicate with this person? a. More than once a day b. Once a day c. Two-three times a week d. Once a week e. Two-three times a month f. Once a month g. Two-three times a year
2. What modes of communication do you use to communicate with this person? Select all that apply and write in additional modes of communication that are not listed.
a. Face-to-face communication b. Text message c. Instant message d. Facebook e. Email f. Twitter g. Telephone h. Other _ i. Other _
___________________ ___________________
3. How satisfied are you with this friendship?
1 2 3 4 5
Strongly Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Strongly Satisfied
4. How committed are you to this friendship?
1 2 3 4 5
Not at all committed Fairly uncommitted Neutral Somewhat committed
Completely Committed
5. How close are you to this friend?
1 2 3 4 5
Not at all Close Not very Close Moderately Close Close Very Close
6. How would you rate the quality of your friendship?
1 2 3 4 5
Very low Quality Low Quality Moderate Quality High Quality Very high Quality
7. How much do you trust this friend?
1 2 3 4 5
Not at all Rarely Sometimes Often All the time
8. How stable is this friendship?
1 2 3 4 5
Very Unstable Moderately Unstable
Neutral Moderately Stable Very Stable
B. Circle the response that accurately reflects your geographically-close friendship.
1. How often do you communicate with this person? a. More than once a day b. Once a day c. Two-three times a week d. Once a week e. Two-three times a month f. Once a month g. Two-three times a year
2. What modes of communication do you use to communicate with this person? Select all that apply and write in additional modes of communication that are not listed.
a. Face-to-face communication b. Text message c. Instant message d. Facebook e. Email f. Twitter g. Telephone h. Other _ i. Other _
3. How satisfied are you with this friendship?
1 2 3 4 5
Strongly Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Strongly Satisfied
___________________ ___________________
4. How committed are you to this friendship?
1 2 3 4 5
Not at all committed Fairly uncommitted Neutral Somewhat committed
Completely Committed
5. How close are you to this friend?
1 2 3 4 5
Not at all Close Not very Close Moderately Close Close Very Close
6. How would you rate the quality of your friendship?
1 2 3 4 5
Very low Quality Low Quality Moderate Quality High Quality Very high Quality
7. How much do you trust this friend?
1 2 3 4 5
Not at all Rarely Sometimes Often All the time
8. How stable is this friendship?
1 2 3 4 5
Very Unstable Moderately Unstable
Neutral Moderately Stable Very Stable
C. Follow-up Questions (see task 5-1-B)
After filling out the above surveys, write 1–2 pages responding to the following questions and drawing conclusions about the two relationships. Use the literature to support your responses and help explain why there were similarities and differences between the two friends. For example, “My satisfaction level was the same with both friends because communication technology allows me to overcome spatial and time separation by sending emails at any time of day.”
1. What similarities do you notice between the two friends? Why might these similarities exist? What differences do you notice between the two friends? Why might these differences exist?
2. What benefits do you gain by using communication technology to help your long-distance friendship overcome spatial and time separation? What hindrances does communication technology bring to this relationship? How does communication technology enhance your face-to-face friendship? How does it hinder it?
3. How do your findings and conclusions relate to other friendships you have?
Rubric Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Responses to Questions 1 and 3 (Personal Insight)
Meets “Proficient” criteria and descriptions reflect especially acute insight
Responses reflect thorough analysis of similarities and differences
One or more instances of superficial, confused, or illogical descriptions
Lack of insight into the two relationships; does not identify substantial similarities and differences