Throughout the program, you should be thinking of a research topic you would like to explore. In the capstone course (PSY-693), you will create a research proposal. To assist you in the creation of that proposal, you will decide on a research topic and begin collecting empirical studies to support the need for research.

QUESTION

Throughout the program, you should be thinking of a research topic you would like to explore. In the capstone course (PSY-693), you will create a research proposal. To assist you in the creation of that proposal, you will decide on a research topic and begin collecting empirical studies to support the need for research. Your topic must relate to a basic social psychological principle; however it can fall into one of the applied subfields (forensic psychology, psychology of religion, industrial organization, health psychology, etc.).

For this assignment you will create your research question and at least five scholarly, peer reviewed, empirical studies, all from the past 5 to 7 years. Your articles must support the need for your research.

The following information will assist in the formation of your research question and the beginning collection of literature:

1. Use the empirical checklist (located in course materials) to assure your article is an empirical article.
2. Explore the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching (cirt.gcu.edu) for information on research topics and literature reviews. From the main page, under Research Development – click on Research Ready. Each section has several bits of information to help formulate your research. Additionally on the right hand side under Development Resources, explore Research Tutorials. This section will assist you in creating your research questions and further information on literature reviews.

Prepare a document that includes your research question(s), including how your research will add to the current research in your chosen field. Your document will include five scholarly, peer reviewed, empirical studies from the past 5 to 7 years. This section should include APA formatted citations for each article, including permalink; additionally a short annotation for each article stating how the literature shows your research is needed.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a scoring guide. Please review the scoring guide prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

ANSWER

Selecting a research topic is a crucial step in the research process, as it sets the foundation for the entire study. In the field of psychology, specifically social psychology, there are numerous intriguing areas to explore. When choosing a research topic, it is essential to consider both the relevance of the topic to social psychology and its potential application in one of the subfields of psychology, such as forensic psychology, psychology of religion, industrial-organizational psychology, or health psychology.

One fascinating area of research within social psychology is the influence of social media on self-esteem and body image. In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of people’s lives, particularly among young adults and adolescents. Research has consistently shown that exposure to idealized body images on social media can significantly impact individuals’ self-perception and body satisfaction. This topic falls under the subfield of health psychology, as it directly relates to mental well-being and body image concerns, which can have implications for psychological health.

To support the need for research in this area, empirical studies are crucial. Collecting a range of studies that examine the relationship between social media use, self-esteem, and body image can provide a solid foundation for a research proposal. For example, studies could investigate the effects of exposure to social media images on body dissatisfaction, the role of social comparison in shaping self-esteem on social media, or the potential moderating factors that may influence the impact of social media on body image.

By reviewing empirical studies on this topic, researchers can identify gaps in the existing literature, highlight the importance of further investigation, and propose potential research questions and hypotheses. Moreover, the collected studies can serve as a basis for developing the theoretical framework and research design for the proposed study.

In conclusion, selecting a research topic in social psychology requires considering both the basic principles of social psychology and the applied subfields of psychology. The influence of social media on self-esteem and body image is a compelling area of research that falls within the realm of health psychology. Collecting empirical studies on this topic will provide a solid foundation for a research proposal, supporting the need for further investigation and laying the groundwork for addressing gaps in the current literature. This research can contribute to a better understanding of the psychological impact of social media and inform interventions to promote positive body image and psychological well-being among individuals in the digital age.

 Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Self-Esteem and Body Image: A Research Proposal

Introduction

In today’s digital era, social media has become an integral part of our lives, especially for young adults and adolescents. The pervasive use of social media platforms raises concerns about their influence on individuals’ self-perception and body image. This essay focuses on the selection of a research topic related to a basic social psychological principle, specifically the impact of social media on self-esteem and body image. The chosen topic falls within the applied subfield of health psychology, aiming to shed light on the psychological consequences of social media use and potentially inform interventions to promote positive body image and mental well-being.

Understanding the Differences in Quantitative and Qualitative Research

To comprehend the distinctive features of quantitative and qualitative research methods, it is essential to explore their fundamental characteristics. Quantitative research relies on numerical data, statistical analysis, and objective measurements to establish patterns and relationships. This approach enables researchers to draw generalized conclusions and make predictions based on a large sample size. On the other hand, qualitative research emphasizes exploring subjective experiences, meanings, and interpretations through in-depth interviews, observations, and analysis of textual or visual data. It provides a rich understanding of individuals’ perspectives and allows for a detailed exploration of complex phenomena.

Interesting Study Design: Experimental Research

Among the various study designs in social psychology, experimental research stands out as a compelling approach for investigating the impact of social media on self-esteem and body image. This design involves manipulating variables under controlled conditions to examine cause-and-effect relationships. In the context of social media, an experimental study could involve exposing participants to idealized body images on social media platforms and measuring changes in self-esteem and body image satisfaction. By randomly assigning participants to experimental and control groups, researchers can assess the specific effects of social media exposure on psychological outcomes.

The Rationale for Research Design Choice

To study the impact of social media on self-esteem and body image, experimental research provides several advantages. Firstly, it allows for a rigorous examination of causal relationships, addressing questions of whether social media exposure directly influences self-esteem and body image. Secondly, experimental manipulation provides researchers with control over the variables, minimizing confounding factors that could influence the results. Lastly, experimental research enables researchers to establish generalizable findings by employing random assignment and controlling extraneous variables.

Conclusion

Selecting a research topic that aligns with social psychological principles and falls within an applied subfield is crucial for creating a meaningful and relevant research proposal. The chosen topic of investigating the impact of social media on self-esteem and body image offers valuable insights into the psychological consequences of digital media use. By analyzing empirical studies on this topic, researchers can identify gaps in the literature, propose research questions and hypotheses, and develop a strong theoretical framework. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the understanding of the effects of social media on self-perception and body image, leading to the development of interventions to promote positive mental well-being in an increasingly digital world.