English 102 Research Proposal

Engl 102 Research Proposal

The purpose of a research proposal is to help you narrow your topic, choose a research question or questions, and formulate a working thesis. It shows what you know and have learned about the topic so far and the reasoning behind your choice of topic and thesis. It also explains how the topic is important and relevant to your audience.

Finally, it shows how you intend to pursue your research and what you hope to find. You will also construct a calendar to indicate the timeline for completion of your paper, with due dates for each individual task. Your paper should be formatted according to MLA style, using one-inch margins, Times New Roman font type, 11-12 point font size, double-spacing within and between paragraphs, indented first lines of paragraphs by 0.5 inch, and page numbers with your last name in the upper right corner of all pages except the first. Do not include a cover sheet.

Your assignment includes providing the following information in the upper left-hand corner of the first page:

  • Your name
  • Your ID number
  • Dr. R. Buckton-Tucker
  • ENGL 102 - (your section)
  • Due date: Thursday, November 5th, 3:00 p.m.

Organize your paper using the following numbered headings in order:

  1. Working title: A brief phrase of about 5-10 words indicating the focus of your paper.
  2. Research question(s): Questions that explore your topic thoroughly and aim to help formulate your working thesis. They should be open-ended and researchable.
  3. Working thesis: A single-sentence statement of what you expect to prove, which may evolve as your research progresses.
  4. Background: Description of the origin of your topic, its current significance, measures already taken, and definitions of key terms.
  5. Justification of topic: Explanation of your personal interest, prior related experiences, issues prompting your research, and potential contributions your perspective may offer.
  6. Methodology: Outline of how you will conduct your research, including sources already consulted, keywords, potential field research, and areas still needing exploration. Subheadings include:
  • a) Keywords
  • b) Library research
  • c) Internet research
  • d) Field research

7. Tentative research calendar: A timeline detailing when you plan to complete each task, including source searches, analysis, bibliography, drafts, proofreading, and other milestones. Plan your schedule to allow sufficient time for each step, with fixed course deadlines noted.

Your paper should be approximately 500 words (excluding the calendar), well-written in academic English, and based on credible sources including scholarly articles, books, official documents, and reputable online sources. Use proper in-text citations and MLA formatting for all references. The total word count for answers 1-6 should be included at the end of answer 6.

The final submission is due on Thursday, November 5th, at 3:00 p.m. You must provide a hard copy and an electronic submission via Turnitin.

Paper For Above instruction

In this research proposal, I aim to explore the impact of social media on adolescent mental health, a topic of growing importance in contemporary society. With the proliferation of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, adolescents are increasingly exposed to both positive and negative influences that significantly affect their mental well-being. The purpose of this research is to analyze how social media usage correlates with issues such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and body image among teenagers.

1. Working title: The impact of social media on adolescent mental health

2. Research question(s):

  • How does the use of social media influence mental health outcomes among adolescents?
  • What are the specific mechanisms through which social media affects adolescent self-esteem and body image?
  • Are there differences in mental health impacts based on the type or amount of social media engagement?

3. Working thesis: Excessive social media use among adolescents contributes to increased rates of depression and anxiety, and negatively impacts self-esteem and body image, suggesting the need for targeted interventions and awareness programs.

4. Background: Social media has revolutionized communication, especially among young people. Its rise began in the early 2000s, with platforms expanding rapidly and embedding themselves into daily life. Adolescents now spend several hours daily on these platforms, which influence their perceptions, social interactions, and emotional health. Concerns about the adverse effects of social media on youth mental health have prompted extensive research and public debate. Key terms such as 'social media addiction,' 'body image,' and 'cyberbullying' will be clearly defined to clarify the discussion.

5. Justification of topic: I am interested in this topic due to personal observations of peers and my previous coursework on media influence. I have also read articles highlighting rising mental health issues among teens correlated with social media use. I aim to contribute a nuanced understanding of this relationship, emphasizing the need for balanced social media engagement and potential policies to mitigate harm. My perspective is informed by academic research and personal insight, and I hope to propose actionable recommendations based on my findings.

6. Methodology: My research will combine literature review and analysis of survey data. I have consulted academic journals on psychology and media studies, focusing on recent empirical studies examining social media and adolescent mental health. Keywords such as 'adolescent depression social media,' 'body image teens,' and 'social media effects on youth' will guide my searches. I plan to conduct online surveys targeting adolescents in my community and possibly interview school counselors to gather qualitative data. Additional research will include analyzing governmental reports and reputable online sources like the CDC or WHO.

a) Keywords: social media, adolescent mental health, depression, anxiety, body image, cyberbullying, social media addiction

b) Library research: Academic journals, books on media impact, psychology studies

c) Internet research: Reputable health and policy websites, recent news articles

d) Field research: Surveys and interviews with adolescents and counselors, if feasible

7. Tentative research calendar: I plan to complete my preliminary literature review by November 10. Conduct online surveys between November 11-20, analyze the collected data from November 21-30, and draft the paper from December 1-10. The final draft will be revised by December 15, with proofreading and editing completed before the final submission on December 20. These dates are flexible to accommodate additional research findings or unforeseen delays.

References

  • Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adolescent girls and boys. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79-93.
  • O’Reilly, M., Dogra, N., Whitemarsh, J., & Wide, J. (2018). Social media and adolescent mental health: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(4), 521-529.
  • Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study. Emotion, 18(6), 733-740.
  • Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2014). Bullying in the digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among youth. Psychological Bulletin, 140(4), 1073-1137.
  • Rettberg, J. W. (2019). Seeing ourselves through technology: How we use selfies, blogs and wearable devices to see and shape ourselves. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Huang, C. (2017). Time spent on social network sites and psychological well-being: A meta-analysis. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 20(6), 346-354.
  • Orben, A., & Przybylski, A. K. (2019). The association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use. Nature Human Behaviour, 3(2), 173-182.
  • Rosen, L. D., et al. (2020). The impact of technology on adolescent mental health: A systematic review. Psychological Medicine, 50(11), 1875-1886.
  • American Psychological Association. (2019). Stress in America: The state of our mental health. APA.
  • World Health Organization. (2017). Adolescent mental health. WHO Fact Sheet No. 365.

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