Example Research Proposal for an Undergraduate Student

Title: The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health Among College Students

Introduction: Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, particularly among college students. While social media has several benefits, such as staying connected with friends and family, it has also been linked to negative mental health outcomes. Studies have shown that excessive social media use can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem among college students. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the effects of social media on mental health among college students.

Research Questions:

1. What is the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes among college students?
2. Are there specific social media platforms that are more strongly associated with negative mental health outcomes among college students?
3. Are there individual differences (e.g., age, gender, personality) that moderate the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes among college students?

Methodology:

The study will be conducted using a quantitative survey research design. Participants will be recruited from a sample of undergraduate students at a large public university in the United States. The survey will measure participants’ social media use, mental health outcomes, and demographic information (e.g., age, gender). Participants will be asked to report their social media use (e.g., frequency and duration) on different platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat). Mental health outcomes will be measured using standardized questionnaires such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). Data analysis will include descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and regression analyses to examine the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes and the potential moderating effects of demographic variables.

Expected Results:

We expect to find a significant positive correlation between social media use and negative mental health outcomes among college students. Furthermore, we anticipate that certain social media platforms (e.g., Instagram) will be more strongly associated with negative mental health outcomes than others. We also predict that certain demographic variables (e.g., younger age, female gender) will moderate the relationship between social media use and negative mental health outcomes.

Conclusion:

This study aims to contribute to the growing body of literature on the effects of social media on mental health among college students. By identifying specific social media platforms and individual differences that are associated with negative mental health outcomes, this study could inform interventions to reduce negative mental health outcomes among college students who use social media. Reach out to us here for further assistance!