5.4 Limitations
Because of the research methodology employed, this study has three potential limitations. The first relates to its
reliance on self-report measures, which can result in a social desirability bias. Even though the students completed
their questionnaires anonymously, they may have wanted to respond in ways that made them look positive. While
the potential for this effect is possible, the probability that it would impact the study‟s findings is low, given that
students did not know the research questions or the desired responses.
The second limitation relates to the fact that the study used a single survey instrument, which created the potential
for common method bias. This survey approach was used because of its efficiency to quickly collect the necessary
data. Future research should be designed to minimize the possibility of a common method bias by collecting data
through interviews or focus groups. With a mixed methods research design, the study‟s results would be
strengthened and there would be less threat to validity which is occasionally found in educational research
(Donaldson & Grant-Vallone, 2002).
The final limitation recognized in this study is that it is not possible to determine the extent to which Facebook
enhanced the CoP and sense of classroom community found in the courses examined and the extent to which it is
due to more engaged faculty. Crook (2008) found that faculty members play an important role in the integration
of social media into their courses. They have a positive attitudinal disposition because of their investment of time
and creative involvement in the process. Therefore, when students state that they observe an effective CoP or an
increased sense of learning in their Facebook-enhanced courses, it may be more related to the faculty member‟s
attitude about teaching and learning than to the use of social networking technology. It could be that faculty
members have an increased interest in their courses and this serves to motivate students to socially connect and
learn.