An exploratory case study is the ch

An exploratory case study is the chosen research method for this study. Upon review of the significant body of literature on social networking sites and online privacy and trust, Facebook was considered the most endemic social networking site associated with these issues. The literature review, along with the continued climb in users, despite the controversy
surrounding Facebook and its approach to privacy, deemed the social networking site the most suitable for this study. Examining Facebook as a case study enables a thorough understanding to be gained into the characteristics and operations of the social networking site. The case study formula also helps to dissect the social networking site’s overall stance
on privacy, the prime focus of this research study. This secondary research method helps lay the foundations for this study before proceeding to the primary research method, which involves exploring Facebook users’ perceptions of privacy in a social networking context. The study is concerned with uncovering the level of awareness of privacy risks on the social networking site by Facebook users and assessing how this awareness influences their online behaviour, thus exploring relationships; that is, how awareness influences behaviour. The project subsequently explores the concept of trust in a social networking context in an attempt to ‘seek new insights’ on the role of trust in a social networking environment (Robson, 2002: 59). In light of the recent controversy surrounding privacy on Facebook, this study aims to examine Facebook users’ current perceptions of privacy. The study is therefore cross-sectional as it examines perceptions of privacy at one particular moment in time.