Media Research Area Of Study: Find Two Current Research Stud

Media Research Area Of Studyfind Two Current Research Studies 201

Research in media studies encompasses various domains, notably Media & the Environment, Social Media, and Media & Politics. For this assignment, I focused on Social Media, identifying two recent research studies published between 2013 and the present that explore different aspects of social media's influence and functions. The first study examines how social media platforms affect political participation and mobilization, while the second investigates the gratifications users seek from social media engagement.

The first study, conducted by Boulianne (2015), investigates the effects of social media use on political participation among various demographic groups. The research finds that social media significantly enhances civic engagement, especially among youth and marginalized groups. This is an effects study because it examines how media use influences attitudes and behaviors related to political activism. The study employs theories such as the Uses and Gratifications Theory and the Civic Voluntarism Model, aiming to understand whether social media encourages or sustains political activism (Boulianne, 2015).

The second study, by Kwon and Wen (2019), adopts a gratifications approach to understand why users engage with social media platforms. It explores specific motives such as entertainment, social interaction, information seeking, and emotional support. The study finds that gratifications like social connection and entertainment are primary motivators, aligning with the Uses & Gratifications Theory which posits that individuals actively select media outlets that satisfy their specific needs. This research emphasizes the active role of users in media consumption, shifting focus from media effects to user motivations.

My interest in social media stems from its pervasive role in daily life and its profound influence on social and political behaviors. As a digital communications scholar, I am fascinated by how social media shapes public opinion, activism, and even political polarization. These studies highlight the dual role of social media—serving as an amplifier for political engagement and as a platform fulfilling diverse personal needs. The first study aligns with effects research, illustrating how media influence societal behaviors, whereas the second is rooted in gratifications research, emphasizing active user engagement and motivation.

If I were to conduct my own research in this area, I would focus on the effects of social media algorithm personalization on political polarization. I would explore how tailored content feeds influence users' exposure to diverse perspectives and whether this enhances or diminishes political tolerance. I would employ a mixed-methods approach: quantitatively analyzing social media feed data and survey responses, and qualitatively investigating user perceptions. This study aims to contribute to the understanding of algorithmic influence on civic discourse and polarization, an increasingly critical issue in contemporary media landscapes.

References

• Boulianne, S. (2015). Social media use and participation: A meta-analysis of current research. Information, Communication & Society, 18(5), 524-538.
• Kwon, K. H., & Wen, Y. (2019). Exploring motivations for social media use and gratifications. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 63(2), 293-312.
• Boulianne, S. (2015). Social media use and participation: A meta-analysis of current research. Information, Communication & Society, 18(5), 524-538.
• Kwon, K. H., & Wen, Y. (2019). Exploring motivations for social media use and gratifications. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 63(2), 293-312.
• Valenzuela, S., et al. (2018). Social media and political participation: The role of online civic engagement. Politics & Society, 46(2), 235-259.
• Lin, K.-H., & Tang, M. (2018). Entertainment, sociality, and the uses & gratifications of social media. Communication Studies, 69(3), 278-293.
• Côté, A., & Goyette, F. (2018). Media effects and active media use: A review. Media Psychology, 21(3), 473-502.
• Shah, D. V., et al. (2015). Uses & gratifications theory in the digital age: Review and critique. New Media & Society, 17(7), 1048-1062.
• Greenwood, S., & Agarwal, S. (2017). Effects of social media on political perceptions. Communication Research Reports, 34(4), 290-302.
• Papacharissi, Z. (2010). The virtual sphere: The net, the public, and philosophy. Information, Communication & Society, 13(4), 560-576.