Social Media Research Project - Einzelansicht

Dear students,

Throughout the course, we will rely heavily on Moodle. 

Moodle Course: https://moodle2.uni-potsdam.de/course/view.php?id=35699

Moodle Key:      S+P22/23

To choose a project topic timely, make sure to attend the first session on the 25th of October. It will take place on-campus (Griebnitzsee, room 3.06.S18).

Have a great start to the semester,

Your Research Project Instructors

entweder Seminar (2 SWS) oder Projekt (4 SWS)

Students work in groups of 2 or 3. The aim of each group is to carry out research on a selected topic (selected by you and narrowed down or modified with the help of course instructors). Your research journey will be structured and overseen by experienced instructors. The course represents a setting where students' previously acquired book learning can finally come to life in practice, preparing the students for the next milestone - thesis writing.

The control points during the course are:

1. research exposé
2. in-class presentations
3. written paper

Several social media platforms have gained incredible popularity in recent years (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.). Their phenomenal success manifests in millions of users all around the globe spending significant time on the platforms. Across its family of apps, only the Facebook company reaches 3.5 billion people monthly. 

By rapidly changing the way we communicate, inform ourselves, spend free time, study, work, and consume goods, social media and other digital platforms transform the society that we live in today. The new developments raise questions about their meaning and long-term consequences.

Hence, possible topics will revolve around

1. the motivation to use digital platforms, e.g., social media
2. psychological and other outcomes of the use
3. the role of digital platforms for individuals and businesses

Depending on the topic, students will conduct literature reviews, qualitative, or quantitative studies. Close supervision is offered. Students present their preliminary results in class and submit a written paper at the end of the course. 

This course is designed for students with some knowledge and skill in working with academic literature and scientific methods (qualitative or quantitative). Within the course, we only brush up such topics as reading and writing academic papers. What we offer is hands-on experience in conducting, presenting research, and writing papers. Note that the number of topics we offer is limited, so are the slots at the course.  

We look for students who have already completed (a) at least one seminar course (any seminar), which signals research experience, or (b) Social Media Research course, or (c) Advanced Research Methods course during their master’s studies.