METHODS PROPOSAL

Methods Proposal

Karissa Mace

CMST 380 Communication Research Methods

Dr. Lepper

12/01/16

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 METHODS PROPOSAL

Methodology

Conceptual Definitions

Social Media or Social Networking Sites (SNSs) is conceptually defined as web-

based services which allows an individual to compose a public profile and connect with

other users and share content (Steinfield, Ellison, & Lampe, 2008) Self-image is

conceptually defined as individuals feelings, attitudes, and perceptions about their self

(Schenk & Holman, 1980, par.6)

Operational Definitions

How often one uses social media is operationally defined as the usage of social

media a person consumes. To measure the use of social media, a Social Media Usage

survey will be used to indicate how many hours a day and days a week each participant

consumes and the reason why they use social media. How much self-esteem a person has

in relation to the usage of social media would indicate if the greater amount exposed to

social media has a negative impact on their self-esteem. To measure each participants

self-esteem, the Self-Esteem Inventory survey conducted by Coopersmith in 1967 will be

used to determine how high or low ones self-esteem is.

Participants

One hundred individuals on Facebook or college students of any race or ethnicity

(18-25-year-olds) were used as participants. Originally, the focus of my study required

half males (50) and half females (50) to compare if social media negatively affects males

self-image as it does for females. After participants took my survey, I received 24 males

and 80 females. A majority of the surveys were distributed to Facebook. Since this topic

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was intended to see if social media has a negative effect on self-image, participants either

ranged from not using social media at all or be completely absorbed in social media.

Materials

The Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) survey taken from Measures of Personality and

Social Psychological Attitudes conducted by Coppersmith in 1967 (pp. 129-131) was

used to establish each participants own self-esteem (Robinson, Shaver, & Wrightsman,

1991). The Social Media Usage survey was used to establish how much social media

each participant uses. Photos were taken from Instagram to be used in the study to see if

social media had an affect on an individuals self-esteem. Pictures in the study group

included photos related to the thin ideal image, such as: celebrities, models, fitness

instructors/clients, professional athletes, and people who traveled a lot. Pictures in the

control group included photos of unrelated matter to the thin ideal image, such as: tools,

plants, and furniture.

A quasi experiment was used since my study was not completely random. My

study was aimed towards the population but my sample was restricted to individuals

online.

Procedure

First, I posted my qualtrics link on Facebook for individuals to take the survey.

Individuals who took the online survey either chose yes or no to participate in my

study. If yes, they were shown a set of pictures. Since there are three sets of pictures in

my study, males were randomly assigned to view a set of idealized male pictures or

neutral pictures. Females were randomly assigned to view a set of idealized female

pictures or neutral pictures. Then, after participants viewed the set of pictures, they then

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completed my survey. Lastly, the participants were thanked at the end of the survey for

participating in my study.

If I did not meet the requirement of my number of participants needed for my

study, I would either send out an e-mail or go to classrooms to present my project and

why I need their help to see if the research question I came up with is either supported or

rejected. After the participants were given a brief background about my project, each

participant gave consent to agree to participate in the study with the knowledge of that his

or her result would not be shown to anyone else. After consenting, each participant

would receive a link to my qualtrics survey. They would view the same set of pictures as

the individuals on Facebook. Males would be randomly assigned to view a set of pictures

of male or neutral pictures. Females would be randomly assigned to view a set of

pictures of female or neutral pictures.

One set of the pictures dealt with Instagram photos of celebrities, models, fitness

instructors/fitness clients, professional athletes, and people who traveled the world a lot.

The reason I chose these types of photos is because ones individuals compare themselves

to people who are considered to be higher up. The second set of (neutral) photos dealt

with Instagram photos of office supplies, tools, plants, and furniture. The reason I chose

these types of photos is because individuals do not tend to compare his or her self to an

item or thing.

After participants completed looking at the set of Instagram photos from either

group, they filled out the survey. The questions that were on the survey asked them about

their social media usage and to determine how low or high their self-esteem is. Lastly,

when the post-survey was completed, participants were thanked and reminded again that

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their results will not be distributed to anyone else and their results will be shredded when

there is no more use of them.

Analysis

After all surveys were completed, the next step was to analyze the answers to find

if the responses either supported or rejected my hypotheses. For hypothesis one: The

more young adults use social media the lower their self-esteem. This was a correlation,

so to analyze hypothesis one, a correctional test was used. For hypothesis two: Exposure

to idealized body images will lead to lower self-esteem. To analyze this hypothesis, a t-

test was used. Since my study is compared two different groups, an ANOVA was used as

well.

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Appendix A

Self-Esteem Inventory
(Coopersmith, 1967)

Q1 I spend a lot of time daydreaming.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q2 I am pretty sure of myself.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q3 I often wish I were someone else.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q4 I never worry about anything.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q5 I find it very hard to talk in front of the class.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q6 I wish I were younger.

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Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q7 There are lots of things about myself I would change if I could.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q8 I can make up my mind without too much trouble.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q9 I am a lot of fun to be with.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q10 I get upset easily at home.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q11 I always do the right thing.

Strongly Disagree

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Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q12 I am proud of my schoolwork.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q13 Someone always has to tell me what to do.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q14 It takes me a long time to get used to anything new.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree

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Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q15 I am often sorry for the things I do.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q16 I am popular with people my own age.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree

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Strongly Agree

Q17 My parents usually consider my feelings.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q18 I am never unhappy.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q19 I am dong the best work that I can.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

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Q20 I give in very easily.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q21 I can usually take care of myself.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q22 I am pretty happy.

Strongly Disagree

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Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q23 I would rather play with children younger than me.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q24 My parents expect too much of me.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q25 I like everyone I know.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree

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Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q26 I liked to be called in class.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q27 I understand myself.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree

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Strongly Agree

Q28 Its pretty tough to be me.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q29 Things are all mixed up in my life.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q30 People usually follow my ideas.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree

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Strongly Agree

Q31 No one pays much attention to me at home.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q32 I never get scolded.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q33 I am not doing as well in school as I would like.

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Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q34 I can make up my mind and stick to it.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q35 I really do not like being a boy/girl.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

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 METHODS PROPOSAL

Q36 I have a low opinion of myself.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q37 I do not like to be with other people.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q38 There are many times when I would like to leave home.
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral

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Agree
Strongly Agree

Q39 I am never shy.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q40 I often feel upset in school.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

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Q41 I often feel ashamed of myself.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q42 I am not as nice looking as most people.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q43 If I have something to say, I usually say it.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

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Q44 People pick on me very often.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q45 My parents understand me.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q46 I always tell the truth.

Strongly Disagree

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Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q47 My teacher makes me feel that I am not good enough.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q48 I do not care what happens to me.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q49 I am a failure.
Strongly Disagree
Disagree

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Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q50 I get upset easily when I am scolded.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q51 Most people are better liked than I am.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree

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Strongly Agree

Q52 I usually feel as if my parents are pushing me.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q53 I always know what to say to people.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q54 I often get discourages in school.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

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 METHODS PROPOSAL

Q55 Things usually do not bother me.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q56 I cannot be depended on.

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

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Appendix B

Social Media Usage Survey

Q1 I am a:
First year student
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Super Senior
Other

Q2 How old are you?

18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

Q3 I am
Male
Female
Prefer not to answer

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Q4 I have used social media for:

A few months
A year
Two to three years
Four to five years
Six to seven years
Eight years or more

Q5 Please check all of the social media apps you use.

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Snapchat

Q6 I check Facebook:
Several times an hour
Several times a day
At least once a day
Once a week
Rarely
I do not have a Facebook account

Q7 I check Twitter:
Several times an hour
Several times a day
At least once a day
Once a week
Rarely
I do not have a Twitter account

Q8 I check Instagram:
Several times an hour
Several times a day
At least once a day

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Once a week
Rarely
I do not have an Instagram account

Q9 I check Pinterest:
Several times an hour
Several times a day
At least once a day
Once a week
Rarely
I do not have a Pinterest account

Q10 I use Snapchat:

Several times an hour
Several times a day
At least once a day
Once a week
Rarely
I do not have a Snapchat account

Q11 I cannot live without social media:

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q12 I prefer to use my smartphone when checking my social media:

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q13 I prefer to use my laptop when checking my social media:

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree

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Strongly Agree

Q14 I prefer to use my tablet/ iPad when checking my social media:

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q15 I prefer to use my desktop when checking my social media:

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q16 I use social media to stay in touch with friends:

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q17 I use social media to fill up spare time:

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q18 I use social media to share photos or videos with others:

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q19 I use social media to share details of what Im doing in my daily life:
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

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Q20 I use social media to check in with what others are doing in their daily lives:
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q21 I use social media to stay up-to-date with news and current events:
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q22 I use social media to find funny or entertaining content (i.e. articles, videos):
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

Q23 I use social media to know more about other individuals:

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

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Reference List

Blascovich, J., & Tomaka, J. (1991). Measures of Self-Esteem. In J. P.

Robinson (Ed.), P. R. Shaver (Ed.), & L. S. Wrightsman (Ed.),

Measures of Personality and Social Psychological Attitudes (1st ed., pp.

129-131). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

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