Question.4073 - Qualitative Research Workshop: Week 4 In this week’s Workshop, visit your unique thread and carefully review how your research problem and purpose have evolved and what you have learned about the different approaches. By Day 3 Post a response to the following prompts: Present your research question as two or three versions, based on the different approaches you have explored that seem most appropriate to your research problem and purpose. Make a case for why each approach would work. Identify the approach you believe best fits your research question. Then, re-formulate the question based on the approach you selected. Describe how the approach you selected will direct the procedures you will later develop. Summarize your choice of theoretical framework for your prospectus. Justify how your choice aligns with your current choice of research question and approach. If they are not aligned, choose a more appropriate framework. Given your choice of approach, describe what data collection tools will be most appropriate to consider. Note: This is not a commitment to use all of the tools you identify; rather, it is meant to be a reflection on what is possible given your choice of approach. By Day 5 Review two of your classmates’ responses in their unique threads. Provide feedback on each classmate’s proposed approach and the formulation of his or her question. Consider these questions as you develop your feedback: Would you formulate the question another way? If so, why? What challenges do you foresee in conducting the research using the approach your classmate has chosen? What might she or he do differently?
Answer Below:
Qualitative Research This workshop entry goes into the research process for investigating the effects of social media on the mental health and social behavior of adolescents. Adolescence is a pivotal stage of development, where exposure to social media can significantly shape mental well-being and social interactions. By exploring research questions, theoretical frameworks, literature reviews, and qualitative methodologies, this study aims to provide a balanced understanding of social media's positive and negative impacts. Combining Bandura's Social Learning Theory and the Uses and Gratifications Theory, the research sets the stage for a comprehensive examination of adolescents' experiences with social media and its implications. Effect of Social Media on the Mental Health and Social Behavior of Adolescents Research Question Version 1: How do adolescents perceive social media's influence on their mental health and social behaviors? This version of the research question focuses on a broader examination of the general effects of social media on mental health and social behavior. This makes it ideal to focus on exploratory research. Version 2: What experiences do individuals describe contributing to positive or negative outcomes in these contexts? This research question introduces specific variables such as frequency and type of usage that make it more focused and suitable for studies aiming to understand the causal relationships between social media usage and the mental well-being of adolescents. Chapter 1 Problem Statement Adolescents have been increasingly exposed to social media platforms, where technological exposure and communication enhancement have been a significant part of their daily lives. However, it has been a topic of debate that while these platforms have been providing avenues for communication and self-expression, they may even raise concerns about their negative impact on mental health and social behavior. For instance, issues such as increased anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and social isolation have often been linked to the overuse of social media by these individuals. Despite widespread adoption, there has been a lack of comprehensive understanding of how social media usage affects adolescents' mental well-being and social interactions. Theoretical Framework This study will draw upon Bandura's Social Learning Theory to examine how social media behaviors have been learned and imitated, as well as the Uses and Gratifications theory to explore why adolescents engage with social media and the subsequent effects of this encouragement. Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory is a psychological theory explaining how people learn new behaviors and skills through observation and interaction with others, such as learning through observation, modeling, and even vicarious reinforcement (Sun & Zhang, 2021). Similarly, UGT offers a valuable framework for understanding why individuals engage with social media and how it has been related to potential addiction to social media (Ferris et al., 2021). Statement of Purpose This study's purpose is to investigate the relationship between social media use and its impact on adolescents' mental health and social behaviors. By identifying these patterns and consequences, this research aims to inform interventions and strategies to mitigate negative effects while promoting positive use. Significance of Study Given the growing prevalence of social media among adolescents, the study will address a pressing societal issue. Its understanding of the impact is crucial for parents, educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals in order to develop effective guidelines and interventions. Insights from the research can contribute to healthier social media practices and better support systems for adolescents. Chapter 2 Introduction to Literature Review The literature review explores the existing research on social media's influence on adolescent mental health and social behavior. This part highlights the gaps in knowledge and the need for further investigation into specific factors such as the type of platforms used, time spent, and individual differences. For instance, research emphasized the moderating effects of factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Review of Research Literature and Synthesis of the Research Findings General Overview of Social Media Use Among Adolescents Schønning et al. (2020) suggested that social media has become an integrated part of daily life, with an estimated 3 billion social media users worldwide, especially adolescents and young adults, as the most active users of social media. Relevant studies have isolated that social media has proliferated, with the potential association of social media use and mental health and well-being becoming a polarized and much-studied subject. Vannucci et al. (2020) argued that adolescents have been hypothesized to bring to the social media context their offline developmental issues related to identity, autonomy, peer relationships, sexuality, and risk-taking and sensation-seeking. Social media platforms allow users in order to have conversations, share information, and create web content where frequent social media use may be associated with distinct changes in the developing brain, potentially affecting such functions as emotional learning and behavior, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Positive Impacts of Social Media Social media has emerged as a significant tool of broadband communication in the global sector, and it can positively affect adolescents in several ways. For instance, social media can help reduce loneliness, improve self-worth, and provide a sense of belonging and even a safe place to express oneself, and some social media platforms encourage help-seeking behaviors. According to Weinstein (2018), social media tend to describe well-being as a general outcome of interest and examine effects related to psychological indicators, including perceptions of happiness and life satisfaction, stress and quality of life, decreased depression, and body image. Similarly, social media can encourage creativity as adolescents can use it to create graphics, videos, and written content. However, it can provide access to information that might be unavailable elsewhere. Negative Impacts on Mental Health Smith et al. (2021) suggested that the impacts of social media on adolescents' well-being can be evident with belonging and loneliness in cyberspace. The rapid shift in the landscape of social media technology has presented challenges to researchers and clinicians attempting to understand the impact of such technology on individuals' psychological development. Furthermore, adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media are twice as likely to experience adverse mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety. On the contrary, O'Reilly (2020) suggested that social media has been integral in adolescents' lives. It can expose these teenagers to online predators who might try to exploit or extort them. Similarly, other adverse outcomes evident include damage to body image issues, including disordered eating behaviors and feelings of inadequacy, disrupted sleep, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content. Rationale The rapid adoption of social media among adolescents has significantly altered how they interact, communicate, and perceive the world. Although social media offers opportunities for self-expression, social connection, and information access, it is also linked to adverse effects, including anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Despite its widespread influence, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding in this scenario of specific patterns and types of social media usage, as well as its impact on the mental health and social behavior of adolescents. By exploring adolescents' perspectives and experiences, the research aims to uncover both social media's positive and negative outcomes on adolescents. Chapter 3 Introduction to the method This chapter outlines the methodology that could be applied to explore the research question. The qualitative research methodology will provide insights into the effects of social media on adolescents. Study design The study will employ a cross-sectional design combining open-ended interviews to gather data on social media usage, mental health indicators, and social behaviors. Study Context and Intervention. Participants The research will be conducted in middle and high schools, targeting adolescents aged 13 to 18. The study will observe naturally occurring behaviors and outcomes. Data Sources Participants will include 20 adolescents from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. They would involve individuals actively using social media and parental consent for participation. Data Collection Qualitative data will be collected through in-depth interviews with selected participants. Data Analysis The interview data will be thematically analyzed to capture detailed experiences and perspectives. Participant Interview Questionnaire How often do you use social media, and which platforms do you prefer? How does using social media make you feel, both positively and negatively? Have you experienced any changes in your relationships due to social media? Can you describe any changes or specific incidents where social media has affected your mood or behavior? What do you think have been the biggest benefits and challenges of social media for people your age? Conclusion This entry highlights the importance of addressing social media's dual impact on adolescents. From identifying key research questions and theoretical frameworks to designing a qualitative methodology, the study aims to provide actionable insights into how social media influences mental health and social behavior. The findings will inform parents, educators, and policymakers and guide future research and interventions. By understanding the effects of social media, this research aspires to contribute to promoting healthier practices and support systems for adolescents navigating the digital age. References Ferris, A. L., Hollenbaugh, E. E., & Sommer, P. A. (2021). Applying the uses and gratifications model to examine consequences of social media addiction. Social Media+ Society, 7(2), 20563051211019003. O’Reilly, M. (2020). Social media and adolescent mental health: the good, the bad and the ugly. Journal of Mental Health, 29(2), 200-206. Schønning, V., Hjetland, G. J., Aarø, L. E., & Skogen, J. C. (2020). Social media use and mental health and well-being among adolescents–a scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1949. Smith, D., Leonis, T., & Anandavalli, S. (2021). Belonging and loneliness in cyberspace: impacts of social media on adolescents’ well-being. Australian Journal of Psychology, 73(1), 12-23. Sun, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2021). A review of theories and models applied in studies of social media addiction and implications for future research. Addictive behaviors, 114, 106699. Vannucci, A., Simpson, E. G., Gagnon, S., & Ohannessian, C. M. (2020). Social media use and risky behaviors in adolescents: A meta-analysis. Journal of Adolescence, 79, 258-274. Weinstein, E. (2018). The social media see-saw: Positive and negative influences on adolescents’ affective well-being. New media & society, 20(10), 3597-3623.More Articles From Research
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