give an example of an exploratory sae

2 min read 31-01-2025

This Science and Engineering (SAE) project explores the complex relationship between social media usage and adolescent self-esteem. It aims to move beyond simple correlations often found in existing research and delve into the nuances of this relationship, considering factors like platform type, content consumption, and individual personality traits.

Research Question:

How does the nature and extent of social media usage influence self-esteem among adolescents aged 13-17, considering platform preferences, content engagement, and individual personality characteristics?

Methodology:

This exploratory SAE will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques.

Quantitative Data Collection:

Survey: A structured questionnaire will be administered to a sample of 100-150 adolescents aged 13-17. The survey will measure:
- Social media usage: Frequency of use, platforms used (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook), time spent on each platform, types of content consumed (e.g., images, videos, text).
- Self-esteem: Utilizing established and validated self-esteem scales like the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) to provide a standardized measure.
- Personality traits: Incorporating relevant personality scales (e.g., assessing neuroticism, extraversion, and openness to experience) to explore how personality might moderate the relationship between social media use and self-esteem.

Quantitative Data Analysis:

Descriptive statistics: Summarizing the sample demographics, social media usage patterns, and self-esteem scores.
Correlation analysis: Investigating the relationships between social media usage variables (frequency, platform preference, content type) and self-esteem scores.
Regression analysis: Exploring whether specific personality traits moderate the relationship between social media usage and self-esteem.

Qualitative Data Collection:

Semi-structured interviews: In-depth interviews will be conducted with a smaller subset (approximately 10-15) of participants selected to represent a range of social media usage patterns and self-esteem levels. Interviews will explore participants' experiences with social media, their perceptions of its impact on their self-esteem, and the strategies they employ to manage their online experiences.

Qualitative Data Analysis:

Thematic analysis: Identifying recurring themes and patterns within the interview transcripts to gain a richer understanding of the lived experiences of adolescents related to social media and self-esteem.

Expected Outcomes & Significance:

This SAE is expected to provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between social media and adolescent self-esteem than previous research. By combining quantitative and qualitative data, the project will uncover potential mediating and moderating factors, contributing to a more comprehensive picture of this important issue. The findings will have implications for parents, educators, and policymakers in developing strategies to support adolescents' healthy online engagement and foster positive self-esteem.

Timeline:

This SAE project is anticipated to take approximately [Insert timeframe, e.g., six months] to complete, encompassing all stages from literature review and ethical considerations to data collection, analysis, and report writing.

Ethical Considerations:

This project will adhere to strict ethical guidelines, including obtaining informed consent from participants and their parents/guardians, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality, and providing resources for support if needed.

This is a sample framework. The specific details, such as the exact surveys, scales, and interview questions, would need to be tailored based on the available resources and the student's specific interests. Remember to consult with your SAE advisor to refine your research plan and ensure it aligns with the requirements of your program.