Social Networks - Research Proposal Example

Research Proposal Plan for Social Media Network Sites] [Name] [Course] [Lecturer] [Date] Abstract Current research studies have revealed a connection between psychological problems as being a driving force and a major reason as to why persons join social network sites. In this study it is revealed that persons who were lonely had limited social skills and developed internet behavior uses that were compulsive. This resulted in negative life outcomes instead of having their problems relieved. This led the persons to be isolated into more loneliness from a state where the individuals had social activities that were healthy. Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 1.0.Research focus 4 1.1.The rational for the research 4 1.2.Research aim 4 1.3.The research objectives 5 2.0.Literature review 5 3.0.Methodology for data collection and its analysis 7 4.0.Expected results 9 1.0. Research focus 1.1. The rational for the research Social networks as a term have its origin from the human history. The primary needs for all human beings are to shelter, eat and communicate with each other. The networks between human beings are based on culture, interest, experiences, geographical locations and the need to be appreciated and recognized by other persons within their network. These needs have been analyzed by Mintel (2010) where the need to communicate and to be acknowledged by those persons around is one of the vital constituents and an important aspect of the existence of a human being. Persons always seek for the opinions of other persons before doing particular things like purchasing of products. Safko (2009) asserts that the opinions of other persons you trust before performing a task is vital as it gives one the trust that what they are about to do is worth. This implies that the social network sites play a vital role in our lives and have an effect in how people interact. They have much positive effects but if not utilized in the most appropriate manner, they could have adverse effects on the lives of the users. 1.2. Research aim To explore the link between Facebook usage and the increased risk for loneliness in university students in Australia To explore the possible link between the use of social media and loneliness among young adults in Australia In this study the emphasis is placed on Facebook, social media/network sites and loneliness. 1.3. The research objectives To identify why the university students in Australia use social network/media To identify why most university students in Australia interact via Facebook Evaluate the recorded benefits of using the social media/network sites To identify the link between Facebook/social media/network and the increase in loneliness 2.0. Literature review The common goals among the internet users are only because the groups share a common communication through the internet and the friendships that are built and only exist online. The participation on the online news groups was a contributing factor to increased social benefits among the group as much of the time is spend on the net. The persons who felt more connected generated an inward feeling that was able to make them feel more and more appreciated and thus relieving them from the stress that they experience (White, 2010). The social networks allowed the persons and especially the young adults to reinforce the fledging and distant relationships and on the other hand receive feedback loops that were positive. The direct communications with persons through the net increased the bonding levels and the more the persons exchanged the messages the more it facilitated and maintained the acquired friendship. It is however to be noted that the more the persons felt left out in the conversations, the more they continued felling loneliness as they are often left with a feeling of little appreciation (Caplan, 2005). It is realized on the other hand that it is easier for the female to acquire more friends and engage in conversations compared to the male in all the age groupings. Most men were deficient in social skills and this was the main reason why they opted to join the social network sites as it offered them a chance to be able to engage in healthy conversations. The compulsive use of the internet was mainly as a result and directly related to life outcomes that were negative. Most of the persons on the net used it as a way and an avenue to be able to escape from the lonely realities of life (Steinfield, Ellison & Lampe, 2008). The older social network users have reportedly very low levels of bonding as compared to their younger counterparts. The social networks in the older cases show great improvements in responding to the loneliness that they experienced. Self esteem contributes heavily in all the situations as the online users rely heavily on it to be able to engage in conversations. The self esteem determined the types of friends who were to be invited and whom they had to begin a social network relationship with. Most of the choice of friends and mates on the sites depended on the common interests that persons share. The content produced and the count of friends’ directly related on the amount of time one had to spend on the internet. Most users have little or no coping mechanisms that would help them counter loneliness (White, 2010). High levels of the neuroticism were recorded on the persons that were addicted on the social network sites compared to those that used it on a minimal basis. The problematic personality profiles are reportedly high among the young adult above the age of 30 who are addicts as compared to their young adults aged under 25 years who in return reported high levels of extraversion. This is perceived to be as an effect of the low rate of sociability that has had an increased and negative effect among the young adults who are addicted to the social network sites. Lower levels of social anxiety are reported among the persons who moderately use the social network sites as compared to those who were addicted to the sites. This is in relation to earlier conducted studies that have revealed the close association between social anxiety and the use of the social network sites (Steinfield, Ellison & Lampe, 2008). 3.0. Methodology for data collection and its analysis A variety of channels will be utilized in the collection of the data from a total of 650 respondents. The primary data will be collected from the university and college students. Consent from the universities and the relevant authorities will be sort prior to the survey. The qualitative and quantitative methodologies will be utilized in the collection of the primary data. These will include; Provision of online questionnaires, posts/blogs in question and answer form, questions and answers for the social networking groups, interviews at the various universities and colleges, newsletters and emails (Saunders, 2007). As the data is to study the effects and link between the online social networks and Facebook in particular, the collection and analysis of data will be done online thus it will be computerized. The gathering of the analysis will be aided by the supportive technology of the phones and computers. The questionnaires will incorporate the setting up of the questionnaire online and especially on the Facebook sites to be able to fit in the proficient nature of the social network users. The questionnaires will be creatively applied on the sites to be able to attract its attention and have as many respondents as required to fill in. The study will also utilize the option of the quiz being in the forms of opinions and blogs which will be supplied through the medium (Saunders, 2007). The recording and analyzing of the data will be done directly online thus enabling the data to be accessed instantly on the net. Most of the potential respondents are to be approached via the email, phones through the SMS and through the social network sites. The study will drown a prize of $100 voucher for each person who will win which is to be spent on any shopping mall on the down streets. The research questionnaire will take a descriptive and exploratory form. This will allow flexibility and innovativeness in answering the questions (Saunders, 2007). Te structured descriptive questions will offer a chance for the respondents and interviewers to identify the existing problems and obstacles that might exist in the process of using the social network sites. This will be vital in identifying the possible solutions to the existing problems. On the other hand, the secondary data will be collected from online researched materials conducted on the same issue. This will be gathered through the registered sites and other recorded and written materials. These materials will include; the e-books, online articles, online peer reviewed journals and periodicals. The collection of the secondary data will offer a chance for the study to collect the quality and recorded data at minimal costs (Ana, Aleman and Waterman, 2009). 4.0. Expected results The study is expected to reveal the link between Facebook and the increased loneliness. Secondly, the research is expected to give viable reasons s to why the social networking sites are the most preferred modes of communication. In addition, the study is to shade more light as to the benefits as opposed to the demerits of using the social network sites as well as give the remedies of addiction or bad use of the social network sites. Thirdly, study is to reveal the consequences of the withdrawal of the use of the social networking sites and the contributions the sites have made in decreasing the level of loneliness among the users who possibly have low self esteem and other social disorders. References Ana M., Aleman M., Waterman K.L., 2009. Online social networking on campus : understanding what matters in student culture. London: Routledge. Caplan S, 2005, A social skill account of problematic Internet use. Journal of Communication; 55:721–36. Mintel, 2010.Social Networking. Mintel Reports. Available from: http://academic.mintel [Accessed date 29th September 2011]. Safko L, Brake D.K., 2009. The Social Media Bible. Tactics, Tools & Strategies for Business Success. 1st ed. New Jersey, Hoboken, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A., 2007. Research Methods for Business Students. 4th ed. Financial Times/Prentice-Hall Steinfield, C., Ellison, N. & Lampe, 2008, Social capital, self-esteem,and use of online social network sites: A longitudinal analysis. J. of Applied Developmental Psychology 29 (6). White, E, 2010, Lonely: A memoir. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. Read More

The social networks allowed the persons and especially the young adults to reinforce the fledging and distant relationships and on the other hand receive feedback loops that were positive. The direct communications with persons through the net increased the bonding levels and the more the persons exchanged the messages the more it facilitated and maintained the acquired friendship. It is however to be noted that the more the persons felt left out in the conversations, the more they continued felling loneliness as they are often left with a feeling of little appreciation (Caplan, 2005).

It is realized on the other hand that it is easier for the female to acquire more friends and engage in conversations compared to the male in all the age groupings. Most men were deficient in social skills and this was the main reason why they opted to join the social network sites as it offered them a chance to be able to engage in healthy conversations. The compulsive use of the internet was mainly as a result and directly related to life outcomes that were negative. Most of the persons on the net used it as a way and an avenue to be able to escape from the lonely realities of life (Steinfield, Ellison & Lampe, 2008).

The older social network users have reportedly very low levels of bonding as compared to their younger counterparts. The social networks in the older cases show great improvements in responding to the loneliness that they experienced. Self esteem contributes heavily in all the situations as the online users rely heavily on it to be able to engage in conversations. The self esteem determined the types of friends who were to be invited and whom they had to begin a social network relationship with.

Most of the choice of friends and mates on the sites depended on the common interests that persons share. The content produced and the count of friends’ directly related on the amount of time one had to spend on the internet. Most users have little or no coping mechanisms that would help them counter loneliness (White, 2010). High levels of the neuroticism were recorded on the persons that were addicted on the social network sites compared to those that used it on a minimal basis. The problematic personality profiles are reportedly high among the young adult above the age of 30 who are addicts as compared to their young adults aged under 25 years who in return reported high levels of extraversion.

This is perceived to be as an effect of the low rate of sociability that has had an increased and negative effect among the young adults who are addicted to the social network sites. Lower levels of social anxiety are reported among the persons who moderately use the social network sites as compared to those who were addicted to the sites. This is in relation to earlier conducted studies that have revealed the close association between social anxiety and the use of the social network sites (Steinfield, Ellison & Lampe, 2008). 3.0.

Methodology for data collection and its analysis A variety of channels will be utilized in the collection of the data from a total of 650 respondents. The primary data will be collected from the university and college students. Consent from the universities and the relevant authorities will be sort prior to the survey. The qualitative and quantitative methodologies will be utilized in the collection of the primary data. These will include; Provision of online questionnaires, posts/blogs in question and answer form, questions and answers for the social networking groups, interviews at the various universities and colleges, newsletters and emails (Saunders, 2007).

As the data is to study the effects and link between the online social networks and Facebook in particular, the collection and analysis of data will be done online thus it will be computerized. The gathering of the analysis will be aided by the supportive technology of the phones and computers. The questionnaires will incorporate the setting up of the questionnaire online and especially on the Facebook sites to be able to fit in the proficient nature of the social network users.

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