Developing Friendships as a First Year Student

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Recommended: Discussion of qualitative research

Introduction
In recent years, qualitative analysis has became predominant in current research, with many qualitative approaches, various ways of analysis are used such as thematic, ground theory, conversational analysis (Howitt and Cramer, 2010). Even though quantitative analysis is able to assist researcher gain information such as how many friends a person has, qualitative analysis is able to provide participants to give opinions about friendships without it being limited to a single number. Holloway and Todres (2003, Cited in Braun and Clark, 2006) said that qualitative methods are diverse and that thematic analysis is a foundational method when it comes to undergraduates carrying out a qualitative analysis for the first time. For this reason, this research will use a thematic analysis.
Friendship is a concept that is mostly researched upon young children due to the way they develop certain attachments and how it affects their future relationships including their friends. However there are not vast amounts of research based on how university students make friends during their first year. Many people assume that because they are adults it will relatively be easy, especially if they live in student accommodation as they share the experience together. However Hartup and Stevens (1997) argue that experience is not the only factor that contributes towards having friends and that individual differences also play a role. They also suggested that friendship also depends on who they are and the qualities they possess. Therefore this research will explore how friendships are made at university among first year undergraduates.
Method
Participants
The development of friendships is a common topic being currently researched upon and therefo...

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Buote et al. (2007). The Importance of Friends: Friendship and Adjustment Among 1st-Year University Students. Journal of Adolescent Research. DOI: 10.1177/0743558407306344.
Hartup, W., & Stevens, N. (1997) . Friendships and Adaptation in the Life Course. Psychological Bulletin.
Howitt, D., & Cramer, D. (2011). Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology. (3rd Edition). England: Pearson Education Limited.
Lydon, J., Jamieson, D., & Holmes J. (1997). The Meaning of Social Interactions in the Transition From Acquaintanceship to Friendship. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Madge, C., Meek, J., Wellens, J., & Hooley, T. (2009) Facebook, social integration and informal learning at university: ‘It is more for socialising and talking to friends about work than for actually doing work.’ Learning, Media and Technology. DOI: 10.1080/17439880902923606.

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