The Strength of Weak Ties Revisited: Further Evidence of the Role of Strong Ties in the Provision of Online Social Support

In this work, we challenge the assumption that weak ties play uniquely important social support roles on network sites, particularly regarding informational support. To overcome methodological limitations of earlier research, present a mixed-methods study. Forty-one participants were interviewed and asked to identify five weak, medium, strong each report perceived actually received (emotional, informational, instrumental, appraisal) associated with each. Complicating traditional understandings “the strength ties,” qualitative analyses actual events show both emotional is provided by ties. an additional quantitative between-subjects study design, 352 about various aspects or tie. These results indicate valued their more every form Although there only correlations between recalled support, people also be helpful—overall suggesting