For this research proposal assignment, you will develop a comprehensive plan to investigate the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. This topic is chosen due to its relevance in today’s society, where adolescents are increasingly using social media platforms, raising concerns about potential effects on their well-being. Your proposal should address theoretical or applied research questions, depending on your chosen focus.
Research Problem and Justification:
Begin by describing the research problem and its significance. If your research is theoretical, identify the gap in knowledge and explain why it’s important to address. For applied research, outline the real-world problem affecting adolescent mental health and justify the need for intervention.
Target Audience and Stakeholders:
Discuss the target audience for your research, including psychologists, educators, parents, policymakers, and adolescents themselves. Identify stakeholders involved in the project, such as researchers, mental health professionals, social media companies, educators, parents, and adolescents.
Research Questions:
Propose potential research questions related to the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. These questions should aim to address gaps in knowledge or provide solutions to real-world problems. Consider factors such as frequency and duration of social media use, underlying mechanisms, individual differences, and effective strategies for promoting positive mental health.
Potential research questions for this project include:
1. How does the frequency and duration of social media use relate to adolescent mental health outcomes?
2. What are the underlying mechanisms through which social media use influences adolescent well-being?
3. How do individual differences (e.g., personality traits, social support) moderate the relationship between social media use and mental health?
4. What are the most effective strategies for promoting positive mental health and mitigating negative outcomes associated with social media use among adolescents?
Literature Review:
Conduct a thorough review of existing literature on the topic, analyzing and synthesizing previous scholarly peer-reviewed findings. Organize the literature review to provide background on your proposed research, review contributions of existing research and theory, and present a logical argument for your study.
Research Design:
Provide a detailed plan for data collection and analysis, including methodology, design, data management tools, and sources of data. Justify your selections and discuss the reliability and validity of proposed data-collection tools and measurements. For applied research proposals, include a program evaluation component in the research design.
Ethical Considerations:
Thoroughly explain the ethical considerations related to your research topic and proposed study, addressing issues such as the problem, population under study, data-collection instruments, and other aspects with ethical ramifications. Incorporate relevant literature and codes of conduct, such as those from the American Psychological Association.
Proposed Summary:
Summarize your proposed study and explain its significance in addressing the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Highlight practical implications of potential findings and analyze the contribution of your research to the field of psychology.
Submission Requirements:
Submit each milestone separately, as well as one final collection of all components needed to complete the proposal. Your research proposal should be submitted as a 15- to 20-page Word document with double spacing, 12-point font, and one-inch margins. Include a title page, table of contents, references, and appendices in APA style. Use professional judgment regarding the length of your paper, and include non-text materials if needed, formatted in APA style.
Milestones:
This assignment will consist of three milestones, each focusing on different aspects of the research proposal. Milestone One will involve resource collection, Milestone Two will focus on the literature review, and Milestone Three will cover methodology, design, and data. Submit each milestone separately, following the instructions provided, and then compile all components into one final submission. Each milestone will be graded separately, with feedback provided to guide your progress throughout the course.