Question.4063 - Qualitative Research Workshop: Week 1 Note on Weekly Workshops: This course has been designed as an ongoing workshop in which you and your classmates work collaboratively to develop and refine your qualitative research plans. You may already be familiar with Discussion threads that focus on one topic and are limited to one week’s worth of commenting. In this course, in addition to participating in typical week-long Discussions, you will create a response to this Dicussion for your research question that will remain active throughout the course. You will return to this initial response each week to post new content and refinements. Your classmates will all do the same. Your Instructor will also review and comment on your process. As you build on your initial post, you will also be asked to visit your classmates’ threads and share your perspective, advice, feedback, and critiques of their work. You and your classmates will be encouraged to use the Workshop threads as a sounding board for new ideas and for activity related to the formal weekly Workshop assignments. Keep in mind that the more you participate, the more you and your classmates will get out of the course experience. In this week’s Workshop, you will introduce yourself to your classmates and reflect on where you are in the preparation for your capstone. In this Workshop you will describe the following: The topic as your passion Your topic as a research problem, purpose, and question as it stands right now Challenges you are experiencing in developing a good research problem, purpose, and question (or, if you are happy with them, share the research problem, purpose and research question) Use the “Litmus Test” document found in the Learning Resources to guide your self-reflection. Resources Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. WEEKLY RESOURCES To prepare for this Workshop: Review the criteria outlined in the research “Litmus Test,” which can be found in this week’s Learning Resources. Review the qualitative checklist for Chapters 1 through 3. You can find the appropriate checklist in the Learning Resources through the links to the PhD dissertation program and EdD doctoral study web pages, as applicable to your program. By Day 6 Click the Reply button to create your response. In the response, submit your current prospectus and a brief reflection of your progress, including a proposed research question derived from your existing prospectus, as well as any changes and redirections you have identified. Be sure to include responses to the following: Reflect on how well your research problem meets the “Litmus Test.” At this point, you recognize that this is a work in progress, so identify what could be done to better reveal a research gap. Summarize the skills and subject matter areas you will need to master to expertly respond to the qualitative checklist for Chapters 1 through 3. Propose a research question to be developed throughout the rest of this course. Note: If you choose to change topic/direction, please e-mail the Instructor as soon as possible
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Introduction My research focuses on the "Effects of Social Media on Adolescents," aiming to explore its impact on mental health and social behaviors. My passion for this topic stems from a deep commitment to understanding and addressing adolescents' complex challenges as they navigate identity formation, emotional regulation, and peer influence. This workshop offers an opportunity to discuss my research problem, purpose, and questions, along with the challenges I've faced in refining them, and to gain valuable insights to advance my work. Topic Adolescent mental health is a major area of focus for me as a counseling professional, as it addresses the unique developmental challenges young people face during a critical stage of growth. My topic is the "Effects of Social Media on Adolescents." As a counseling education and supervision student, I am deeply passionate about supporting adolescents in navigating the complexities of identity formation, emotional regulation, and social pressures. This passion stems from a commitment to fostering resilience, promoting mental well-being, and equipping young individuals with the tools to thrive despite adversity. Through research, advocacy, and tailored interventions, I aim to empower adolescents to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.. Research Problem Significant physical, emotional, and social changes have been evident during the developmental period of adolescence, a crucial growth stage (Dahl, 2001). On the contrary, social media has been significantly affecting teenagers' lives, but there has been rising concern about how it affects their mental health, sense of self, and general well-being. In consideration of this, the current research reveals conflicting findings with varied studies that emphasize potential harms, including increased anxiety and depression, and others highlighting potential benefits, such as fostering social connections (Beyens et al., 2020). This complexity thus justifies making it difficult for educators, parents, and policymakers to provide clear guidance on adolescents' using social media. Purpose This research study aims to explain and explore the differential impact of social media on adolescents' mental health and social behavior. Research Question ? How does social media influence adolescents’ mental health and social behaviors? ? What factors have been contributing to either positive or negative outcomes? Challenges Due to the extensive body of existing literature and the dynamic nature of social media platforms, it is difficult to formulate a well-focused research subject. Careful thought is needed to narrow down the variables to be studied (e.g., specific sorts of social media use or particular demographic aspects). It has also been a balancing act to formulate a research question that is both specific and general enough for fruitful investigation. The Litmus Test document has been invaluable in ensuring my research elements have been clear, feasible, and aligned with academic standards (Walden University, 2016). For instance, it prompted me to refine my research to ensure it has been answerable through qualitative or quantitative methods. Reflection and Next Steps Although I am confident in the direction of my research, the following steps will require me to refine my technique and find suitable measuring instruments. As I continue developing my project, learning about study themes and methodologies will provide me with insightful viewpoints. I am excited to work with every one of you and help each other along the way. Together, let us make this capstone experience rewarding and fruitful. Conclusion Adolescent mental health and social media are topics of great personal and professional interest, offering an avenue to contribute meaningful research to this evolving field. While challenges such as narrowing research variables and aligning questions with feasible methodologies persist, tools like the Litmus Test have helped ensure clarity and focus. I look forward to collaborating with peers in this workshop to refine my research framework further, exchange insights, and collectively deepen our understanding of adolescent mental health and its implications for counseling practice. References 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. Dahl, R. E. (2001). Affect regulation, brain development, and behavioral/emotional health in adolescence. CNS spectrums, 6(1), 60-72. Walden University. (2016). Research Resources: Research Planning & WritingLinks to an external site. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/researchcenter/resources/planning.More Articles From Research
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