Question.4070 - Literature Search, Part I In this Discussion, you will conduct a literature review of your topic area, focusing on a research study that uses one of the qualitative approaches covered this week. Resources
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Literature Search Conducting a thorough literature search is an important step in the research process, as it allows for the identification and evaluation of relevant studies that inform and shape new research projects. For this discussion, I selected a research article that utilized a systematic review approach, characterized by its rigorous search strategy and inclusion of high-quality studies with clear criteria. This approach ensures the reliability and depth of conclusions drawn, particularly when analyzing the effects of social media on adolescent well-being. The chosen article provides a comprehensive understanding of the nuanced relationship between social media use and individual teenage experiences by employing qualitative and quantitative methods. These insights are critical for advancing future research in this dynamic and evolving field. Characteristics Approach The research article I chose during my literature search employed a systemic review approach with the characteristics of a comprehensive and rigorous search strategy and the inclusion of high-quality studies with clear criteria. A critical analysis of each study’s methodology and results, as well as a quantitative synthesis of findings, will be conducted to draw robust conclusions related to the effect of social media on adolescents. An important component in selecting a research article is understanding the research process that has been able to analyze the current research and understand its role in a new research project (Patton, 2014). Similarly, “R8360 Guidelines for Reading and Evaluating Qualitative Research Articles” evaluated on considering the strength of the study with the integration of both qualitative and quantitative approaches enhancing the robustness of findings. Article Chosen Beyens, I., Pouwels, J. L., van Driel, I. I., Keijsers, L., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2020). The effect of social media on well-being differs from adolescent to adolescent. Scientific reports, 10(1), 10763. Summary The authors in the article investigated how social media use impacts the well-being of adolescents where they utilized a mixed-methods research approach including both the qualitative and quantitative data. Their study assessed the relationship between social media use and well-being across a sample of adolescents, highlighting the effect of social media use varies significantly among individuals based on different contextual factors. This research emphasized the impact of social media and how that impact cannot be generalized but is influenced by personal characteristics, including self-esteem, social comparison, and the specific nature of the online interactions adolescents experience. Hence, it presented findings from a large-scale longitudinal study involving tracking adolescents’ social media use and well-being over time. It has even been found that while some adolescents experienced adverse effects, others showed positive or neutral outcomes by using both survey data and in-depth interviews that identified key factors mediating the impact of social media on well-being as content consumed and the adolescents’ emotional responses to it. Conclusion The selected article highlights the importance of considering individual differences and contextual factors when studying the effects of social media on adolescent well-being. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the study highlights the variability in outcomes, ranging from adverse to positive effects, influenced by personal characteristics and specific online interactions. This research serves as a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of social media’s impact and illustrates the significance of integrating both qualitative and quantitative data to enhance the robustness of findings. The insights gained will play a key role in shaping my own research project, providing a solid foundation for further exploration of this critical topic. References Patton, M. Q. (2014). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice. Sage publications.More Articles From Research