This is an exploratory study. The rationale for using this approach is that this is an area of research where not much is known about the situation (Sekaran, 2003).
There is a need to conduct research into the current nature of social networks and social media methods particularly as the SN market has changed and grown considerably in the last year. Moreover, the initial literature review for the project has found that social media methods that are being used by organisations are embryonic and varied and as such also need exploring and explaining.
The scale, breadth and depth of SN’s means that the research can not have a narrow focus otherwise the findings could be unrepresentative. Therefore, the study will research a mixture of three primary data sources including charities, marketing agencies and social networks services.
