A Research Proposal on the Socio-Psychological Impact of Social Media

This research proposal aims to understand the multifaceted role of social media in contemporary life, focusing on both its advantages and disadvantages, particularly concerning Facebook. It explores the impact of social media on users' personal and professional lives, examining issues such as self-disclosure, narcissism, and addiction. The proposal outlines a comprehensive research approach, including the collection of primary and secondary data to analyze the influence of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. It addresses key research questions related to social media's effects on user behavior, the influence of anti-social behavior, and the protection of user information. Furthermore, the proposal incorporates a conceptual framework to illustrate the various factors influencing social media's impact and discusses ethical considerations and potential limitations of the study. Ultimately, this research seeks to provide a critical analysis of social media's role in modern society and its implications for individuals and communities.

Research Proposal Report
1

Contents
Abstract......................................................................................................................................3
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
Section 1 – Research Questions.................................................................................................5
Section 2 – Conceptual Framework...........................................................................................6
Section 3 – Literature.................................................................................................................8
Section 4 – Methods.................................................................................................................10
Section 5 – Significance...........................................................................................................12
Section 6 – Limitations and Delimitations...............................................................................13
Section 7 - Ethical Issues.........................................................................................................14
Conclusion................................................................................................................................15
Reference..................................................................................................................................16
Appendix..................................................................................................................................17
2

Abstract
This proposal is made to understand the different role of social media in a person’s life. This
proposal provides the conceptual study related to the uses of the social media, which helps
them to connect with the lots of the people. This report provides the research proposal about
the various advantages and disadvantages of the uses of Facebook. The aim of the research is
to explain the critical analysis about the use of social media. This research helps to
understand the role of the Facebook and the other websites, which are mainly uses on the
social sites. For achieving the objective of the research different data’s are collected from the
various sources that are primary source and the secondary source of collecting the data.
This report provides the review related to the self-control, narcissism and Facebook self-
disclosure. This research study helps to provide the relevant relation between the different
aspects of the research. This research provides the answers to the different questions arise
from the problems and the difficulties faces by the users of the social media. This proposal is
planned to achieve the critical study regarding the use of the social media and how the social
media influence the personal and professional life of the user. This research paper on social
media provides the relativity of the fear of losing various information, it also increases the
addiction for using different social sites like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
Along with all the difficulties, social media serves a good platform which interacts more and
more people on some specified sites and through different web pages.
3

Introduction
This report is related to the awareness of the social media. In current time social media
spread all over the world. Form the last decade it becomes the important part of a person’s
life. The continuous growth in the social media services and the accessibility and this also
increase the user of the internet. With the development of the different technologies recently
people are attracted more from the social media. Youth uses more the social media as
compare to the other age of people. Social media has the great area, as there are lots of
platform like different websites, Facebook, and many other platforms. Facebook is that
platform which is essentially used on social media. Facebook connects different kind of
people and marketers, which creates the great market opportunities for the people. Facebook
is the platform which allows the people to display their personal and the professional details.
Sometime it consume the time of the people.
Social media has the both positive and the negative impact on the people life. As Facebook
provides the platform to interact with the other people of the country but at the same it also
creates the chances of risk related to the self- disclosure, cyber-crime and others. Other risk is
like youth will have the greater exposure on the Facebook. Secondly, it also raises the risk of
the women safety. Social media is not safe for the women as there are many techniques
which hack the personal details and affect the one’s reputation. Here the research is done to
evaluate the uses of the social media and the benefits of using it. The purpose of the research
is to check the reliability of the social media. This research also helps to understand the
different channels of the social media. Social media is the good source to collect the data and
the different information about the different things available in the market. This research is
done to find the different issue related to the social media. In this research different analysis
is done to understand the concept of social media and anti-social media. The key points of the
report are related to the “Anti’-Social Media: Narcissism and Self-Control as Predictors of
Facebook Self-Disclosure”.
4

(Figure- Social Media)
(Source – By Author, 2018)
Section 1 – Research Questions
General Research Question:
 To what extent social media helps to connect with the people live all over the world?
Specific Research Questions:
 How social media affect the life of the users?
 How anti-social behavior influence the behavior of the people?
 How Facebook and their different features provide the positive and negative impact
on different kind of the people?
 Is the use of Facebook and social site protecting the information of their user?
5

Section 2 – Conceptual Framework
In this section of the report, a framework is made. This is a tool which is a structure and
principles that is prepared for evaluating the different concepts of various problems.
Facebook is that site of the social media which has recently the wide range of the user and
followers (Gerbaudo, 2018). Social media recently wide use for doing marketing strategies
and maintaining the various areas which provide the good marketing area.
Social media has the various applications which are helpful in the increasing the small
business entrepreneurs. Different social media application are Google plus, Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram and YouTube which provides the good platform to enhance the business
of the different service and goods provider. A conceptual framework is made to get the idea
about the various factors of the different aspects of the social media. As the social media is
that platform which influences the different issues related to the social networking sites like
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (Sunstein, 2018). All these sites face the different issues
like hacking and the leakage of the personal information and this all affects the lifestyle of the
user of the social sites.
(Figure- the impact of social media)
(Source – By Author, 2018)
Social media has the both positive and the negative view in the mind of the user of the
internet. All social sites serve the good services but at the same time, they also have some and
another kind of drawback of the social sites. In this report, research is conducted on the
negative aspect of self-disclosure in social networking sites.
6
Positive impact Negative impact

For the conceptual framework, a theoretical plan is made which shows how a social sites help
in increasing the business of the small business organisation (Couldry, 2012). A conceptual
framework is easily understood as the social media has the various tools which provide the
good quality product.
(Figure- Conceptual Framework of Social Media)
(Source – By Author, 2018)
A conceptual framework helps to elaborate the framework of social media and provides the
study related to the services provided by these social services. Social media is that area with
also influence the privacy of the information. Social media is the wider network as this spread
the entire world. This is that factor which has the widest platform for different kind of
activities like this helps to connect people from different areas, provide advertisement
services to its clients, and many more. Government plays the major role in the social media
services as they implement a different kind of the regulation as this helps to protect the
customers from happening of any kind of malpractice
(Foley, 2017). The negative impact of the social media not only affects the own lifestyle and
also those people who are related to their life.
7

Section 3 – Literature
The intention here is to prepare a report as comprehensive as possible on the effects of social
media which are in general being ignored. According to McCabe and Harris (2017), social
media is a platform to exchange information, share ideas, encouraging discussions, mutual
support but further exploration is required on the matter at hand. The preliminary facts
suggest that social media is nothing but a powerful addition to people's life which has now
become a necessity, but the research here may suggest that it is still infancy. It is building
new challenges which have not been understood fully. The literature review aim is to
generate an overview of the impacts of social media on youth, government, professionals,
businesses, and people at large. Here, the answer to a question like the problems being caused
by social media is looked for. Websites like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are
gaining immense popularity among ‘youth' due to the attractive features offered which
fascinate the youth but this study, in turn, is affecting their studies and professions to a great
extent. As per a study, the social media is gaining popularity among students as their friends
are influenced by such platforms and such influence is distracting them and helping them
gain access to such networks one way or other (McCabe and Harris, 2017).
According to Håkansson and Witmer (2015), over the years, social media has been believed
to be significant for social networks and connections. Different platforms and tools can be
used for social connections. In the process of research on the matter hereinafter discussed, it
was found that people use social media as a tool to manage their relationships which thereby
results in distrust. There is no way through which the distrust created between people can be
measured. The contribution of Facebook on social trust was significant. (Håkansson and
Witmer, 2015).
According to Shukla (2017), one can suffer from isolation due to Facebook or other social
networks which are a serious disease for teens as they would prefer remaining glued to their
own systems and the outer world would just not exist for them. It may cause distractions, lack
of emotional attachment to family or friends and would cause the really bad impact on their
eyes in teenage (Shukla, 2017). Facebook is a perfect platform for people who believe in
numerous relationships which are shallow. Facebook is having a narcissistic impact on
human beings. The youth and other people are mostly concerned about the likes on their
latest uploaded pictures rather than their home backstories. Facebook could be a narcissist's
8

wheelhouse and once the wheel starts running the user are nudged towards self-promotion
and ultimately narcissism. The bad part is people who are non-narcissist might find they
demotivated and out of the group. People who use Facebook actively may be found to be
very dissatisfied with their own friends due to social comparisons. This leads to the fact the
more satisfied people are on their social networking, the more narcissist they are in real
(Chandra, 2018).
Today, for most of the people having access to the internet, social media is a medium of
entertainment and social connections. Almost from every location, the internet can be
accessed using smartphones. This study aims to evaluate and spread immensely the
awareness among people and mostly the youth about how adversely social networks are
impacting their own self. It must be understood by the youth that their area of attention has
completely been shifted from real world and circumstances to the world virtually available
and it is visible only to friends who are invisible. This study also established the fact the not
only use of social networking impacting behavior and interaction with outside world in real
but also impacting their health, privacy, academics, and safety. This study intends to suggest
the youth to allocate their time efficiently for the tasks in hand and schedule their time in a
way that it can be given most to the activities that need most of it.
9

Section 4 – Methods
Research Methodology is an approach for a clear understanding of extracted data. The
strategy development for the conduct of research is a step after problem identification and
review of the literature. Therefore, this part will analyse the impact and influence of social
media on its users. The study under this part can be done through two approaches- Qualitative
approach and Quantitative approach. The Qualitative approach is collection and analysis of
non-numerical data whereas quantitative approach is collection and analysis of numerical
data or information which is in form of percentages, numbers or statistics. Usually, this
approach is adopted when there is a need for accurate results. Here, the approach adopted is
hybrid.
A set of people are targeted for conducting the research. According to Njoroge, 2013,
Targeted population is the group of specific people which are relevant for carrying the
research. Here, the target population is 150 people from a university belonging to the age
group of 18 to 35 years, 100 students from a school belonging to age group of 14-18 years
and 150 people from an office belonging to age group of 21 to 60 years. Therefore, it is
covering people of all age groups who are actively using social media. Their people are the
respondents to sample study conducted.
This research is conducted through sampling. Sampling is a process in which a small group of
people is selected representing a large number of population reflecting the similar
characteristics. Sampling can be done in two ways – probability sampling and non-
probability sampling. Here, in the research carried probability sampling is used. In
probability sampling method, people selected for the research are representatives of the entire
population whereas, in the non-sampling method, it is not sure that whether the identified
sample is representing the entire population or not (Njoroge, 2013).
This research shall utilize questionnaire as a source of data primarily through online
dissemination. The research shall carry the questions which are close-ended. The target
population shall be asked questions relevant to the study i.e. the impact of social media on
their lifestyle. Here, the questions included in the questionnaire have been made relevant
according to their age groups and interests. There are three sections of questionnaire
belonging to the school, university and professionals and the results are evaluated according
to the age group.
10

For the purpose of quality data collection, the simple random sampling method is used. Under
this method, each person selected as a sample representing a large population has equal
chance to participate in the sample. It helps in the analysis of data with fewer chances of error
and the findings under this method can be applied to the entire population (Peersman, 2014).
It is the easiest way to collect data for the person conducting the research and for the target
population. They are assumed to give non-biased reviews and therefore, certain data analysis
can be done using this method.
11

Section 5 – Significance
In recent years, social media has changed the way people communicate and carry on their
personal and social lives. It’s turning them narcissistic which they are not even realizing and
are not willing to accept. Social media is influencing the views and decisions of people.
Amidst all this, people need to realize the impact of social media on their lives. The research
conducted is acting as a precautionary measure for those who are extremely active and
influenced by social media platforms. It is imperative to take steps to overcome the bad
impact of social media. Not only a research forms the foundation for change in people's
approach towards life and use of technology, but it can also be used as an indicator by
schools or universities to educate children about the effect of overuse of social media. Being
fond of something is good but addiction isn't.
The research has thrown a light on how the social networking is affecting the people of all
age groups. With the help of research, it can be evidently figured how much the people are
aware of their social surroundings. The people targeted can now differentiate between their
virtual and real world and can, therefore, admit that being active on the social network will
not give them personal contacts and experiences.
The social networking impacts the privacy of people in a very sunken manner. This impact on
privacy may lead to crimes. The government shall use this data to understand the relevance of
making policies on regulating cyber-crimes or personal data misuse.
Finally, it can be argued that the social media is impacting not only the public but the
government in a major way. Such impact can be controlled only if the users of social media
understand the negative impacts such addiction has on their lifestyle and on their near and
dear ones. This report can be used as evidence of the impact which the social media has on its
users.
12

Section 6 – Limitations and Delimitations
The above research is done to check the reliability of the social media and their different role
in a human life (Couldry, 2012). One of the limitations of this research as this requires the
time to know that how social media helps the user’s life and how this affects their lives.
Research has to be done in a specified time period so the relevant action is taken by the
researchers. Use of the social media is less expensive (Crossland, 2016). While doing
marketing on social media it reduces the extra cost which is required for advertising on
offline media.
The following are the different limitations of this research.
 As the data are collected from both primary and secondary source so it requires lots of
time to evaluate the different sites and the questioner are made to get the views of the
different people.
 The data are collected from the secondary resources are not necessarily to correct.
 Data are required to be unchanged, this increases the chances of getting success.
 One of the major limitations of this research is this provides the fear of missing out
the personal information of the user.
Along with the limitation, there are various delimitations also exists
This research provides a prediction of the Facebook addiction and it also reveals a different
interesting pattern of the Facebook. As social media is the great tool which now becomes the
necessary part of the user’s life (Wood, 2018). The research requires understanding the
different challenges which may occur at the time of doing research. This research helps to
establish the impact of the social networking sites. This research also suggests the youth to
make their proper plan for using the social sites or internet on specified time and make proper
use of the internet. As the social networking sites affect the all the ages of the human life so
as a human being it is required to have the proper knowledge and awareness related to the
internet and different uses of it.
13

Section 7 - Ethical Issues
Recently social media has a large number of the users and the follower. The activities which
are followed on the social media are relevant and related to the fact. As every aspect has both
positive and negative impact social media also have. Social media is familiar to those people
who are educated and have the internet facility with them. Due to the lack of the literacy or
awareness regarding the misuse of the social media user distract from their line (Couldry,
2012). With the improvement in the technologies, new devices are used for connecting with
the social sites. This is one of the major issues of the social sites.
The following issues are arising while conducting research related to the social media.
 First and the foremost question arise for the privacy. Privacy is very important. As on
the various different sites all the personal information are collected, due to this
appropriate privacy is required to be maintained on the social sites.
 Data leakage is the major issue of data security and the protection of the information.
Data can be easily leaked from the social sites (Dominelli, 2017).
 Identity theft is the ethical issues which are related to the techniques. These
techniques are used by the different criminals to collect the different information of
various persons.
 Freedom of speech is the everyone’s right, but sometimes it becomes a dangerous
weapon. As this is the unethical behavior which conducts on the social media.
14

Conclusion
The above research proposal report helps to understand the concept of the social media. This
research is made to explain the different benefits and drawbacks of the social media. In this
research some questions are made to get the things related to the social media. Here the
concept of “Anti-social media” also discussed. The role of the Facebook was also discussed
here. Facebook is that social site which continuous grabs the extra attention from the users.
This is done only because of the good and innovative features of the Facebook. As discussed
above Facebook has both the positive and negative impact of the users (Gerbaudo, 2018).
Social media is the sector which is continuous grows in the market, as this helps in different
marketing strategies and the various plans to attract the customers.
Marketers use the social media for promoting their goods and services, with the help of the
social media they can reach to all over the world. Social media needs to be providing the
good and effective services. Services like protect the information of the user, sites need to be
show valid and reliable information related to different marketers and also related to various
advertisements. Basically social media is that platform which is very useful in the every
aspect of the life. Along with the various advantages social media also have the several
disadvantages like it creates the competition among the various marketers and this also have
risk of hacking of the information (Sunstein, 2018). At the ending note this report provides
the study related to the “Narcissism, Self-Control” and “Facebook Self-Disclosure”. This
helps to understand the detailed concept related to the social media.
15

Reference
 Chandra, R., 2018. Is Facebook Making Us Narcissistic? [Online]. Psychology Today.
Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pacific-heart/201802/is-
facebook-making-us-narcissistic [Accessed on 26 May 2018].
 Couldry, N., 2012. Media, society, world: Social theory and digital media practice.
Polity.
 Crossland, H., 2016. Anti-social media. Construction Journal, p.20.
 Dominelli, L., 2017. Anti-racist social work. Macmillan International Higher Education.
 Ferguson, N., 2018. The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the
Freemasons to Facebook.
 Foley, R.A., 2017. Marketing critical consumption: Cultivating conscious consumers or
nurturing an alternative food network on Facebook?. In Digital Food Activism (pp. 128-
147). Routledge.
 Gerbaudo, P., 2018. Tweets and the streets: Social media and contemporary activism.
Pluto Press.
 Håkansson, P. and Witmer, H., 2015. Social Media and Trust: A systematic literature
review.
 Harris, K. and McCabe, A., 2017. Community Action and Social Media.
 Lovink, G., 2017. Social media abyss: Critical Internet cultures and the force of
negation. John Wiley & Sons.
 Njoroge, R.I.T.A., 2013. Impacts of social media among the youth on behavior change: a
case study of University students in selected universities in Nairobi, Kenya. Unpublished
Masters Thesis.
 Peersman, G., 2014. Overview: Data Collection and Analysis Methods in Impact
Evaluation. UNICEF Office of Research-Innocenti.
 Shukla, A., 2017. Top 10negative Effects of Facebook on Teens. [Online]. Paggu.
Available at: https://www.paggu.com/getting-into-roots/top-10-negative-effects-of-
facebook-on-teens/ [Accessed on 26 May 2018].
 Simpson, B., 2017. Young People, Social Media and the Law. Routledge.
 Sunstein, C.R., 2018. # Republic: Divided democracy in the age of social media.
Princeton University Press.
 Wood, M.A., 2018. Introduction. In Antisocial Media (pp. 1-21). Palgrave Macmillan,
Cham.
16

17

Appendix
1.
2.
3.
18
Positive impact Negative impact