Social Networking Research in the Arab World: New Problems, Old Tools

DOI: 10.46988/IJMMC.07.01.2025.06

Abstract

This study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of published Arab research in the field of social network sites, focusing on the current intellectual core of the field in terms of dominant topics, theoretical frameworks, concepts, and methodologies. A systematic examination of a deliberate sample of 191 research papers published in peer-reviewed Arab journals was conducted to identify common research topics, the most important theoretical and methodological approaches, and the most prominent concepts used in this research. The results revealed an absence of a robust theoretical foundation for this research, a dominance of social and psychological topics, a reliance on descriptive approaches, and a lack of utilization of emerging digital methodologies. This study offers a detailed overview of the current state of Arab research in the field of social network sites, drawing attention to areas that necessitate further investigation and rigorous inquiry.