This study looked at the exchange of online and offline social capital among a group of people who share both an online network (Twitter users) and live in the same offline community (Wichita, Kansas). The study, recognizing that communities are social networks, utilized a triangulated methodology including a survey, focus groups and a case study to analyze social capital in online and offline networks, similarities and differences in the experience of social capital online and offline, and the transference of social capital between online and offline networks. Results indicate the presence of both online and offline bridging and bonding relationships and the transference of social capital between them. Implications of these findings for the enhancement of offline communities are discussed.

Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The Elliott School of Communication.