Research Methods Sp2016
Abstract
The dominance of commercial technological innovation in the context of modern society has resulted in a form of technological dependence for some individuals, causing them to pay less regard to aspects of the physical world. Technological innovation has assumed a noteworthy role in the flow of our daily lives, such as through the methods we employ to maintain interpersonal connections. Numerous individuals are included in a matrix of connections facilitated by technological innovation and an increasingly digitalized culture; however, the vast amount of these affiliations can leave individuals the global community feeling subjectively void. The effects of technological innovation show us the benefits of adjusting our degree of connection with and disconnection from technological tools and digital mediums like online interchanges with others, both personally and professionally. The expanding use and availability of technological innovation today permits people to connect with and separate from each other amid up close and personal associations. The individuals of the globalized world may take advantage of online connections utilizing social networking sites; however, the contrast between these sorts of associations and cooperation with individuals in the physical world is plainly boundless. The greatest issue with technological innovation and connections is the failure to identify tone. The dependency of people upon technological innovation may be observed as a factor which can be unfavorable to the establishing and maintaining interpersonal connections between people, such as individuals using digital technology to communicate despite being in the same place. This study explores the utilization of TV, cell telephones, personal computers and portable laptops through examining the survey responses of a sample of 100 overview members to determine how this usage effects an individual’s feeling of security, control, and connection. It is an extraordinary way to determine the degree to which technological innovations, which can facilitate instantaneous communication among individuals can also produce a feeling of social detachment. There has been a general lack of critical thought to new social substances made by innovation and what those substances mean for the individual and society. There are personal as well as professional requirements which are required to be fulfilled by the use of technology. These requirements are generally fulfilled by the global human beings using technology to the maximum. The most important aspect of modern technology is that it has got a kind of temptation which can have several kinds of implications.
Abstract. 2
Executive Summary 4, 5
Section I. Introduction. 6
Introduction to the topic/problem area 6
Statement of the problem . 6
Specific aims of the research 6
Research Questions 6
Research Hypothesis . 7
Relevance to sociology . 7
Section II. Literature Review, Background and Significance 7
Literature Review . 7
Introduction to Literature Review 7
Addiction to Technology of the human beings of the global world and social networking websites 8
Addiction to Technology of the human beings of the global world and mobile phones, digital tablets or any other latest technological digital communication device. 8, 9
Conclusion 9
Section III. Research Methodology 9
Research Design 9
Sampling Plan. 10
Data Collection Plan 11
Operationalization of Concepts and Measurement. 12
Total dependency of the human beings 12, 13
The latest technological gadgets and instruments. 14
Digital world of loneliness 14
Human Subjects Protocol 14, 15
Administration and Timetable 16, 17
A brief timeline for collecting the data. 16, 17
Limitations of the Study. 17
References. 18
Executive Summary
In spite of the noteworthiness of the effects of innovation for the human culture, there has been generally little interest in examination to comprehend, anticipate, and shape them. Innovation goads development and rivalry and influences our live. Likewise, innovation influences our own connections, our training and our wellbeing in ways unbelievable just a couple of years back. This introduction section of the research report illustrates and explains the background of the different ways in which the use of technology affects the social and the personal relations of the human beings of the global world. Online networking is playing a genuine and astonishing part in supplementing customary strategies for correspondence to individuals create and hold their contacts at work. The most vital regions of innovation online networking research in advertising incorporate benchmarking, estimation, speculations, morals and additionally measures. Innovation drives corporate development, the worldwide appropriation of employments, and the estimation of speculations. As personal computers get to be pervasive in our everyday lives, it is critical to see how the innovation of the personal computers can upgrade or cheapen a specific person’s development and improvement. The directed research exploration is whether the sort of social ties bolstered by present day advances are generally powerless and topographically scattered or not. It is not simply human capital that matters to effective business associations. But additionally, there are social and innovative capital in the advanced human culture of the current circumstance which matters to effective business associations. Innovation is a prevailing and pervasive piece of present day life.
Today, developments in data innovation are having colossal impacts over various areas of society, and strategy creators, albeit as of now missing adequate comprehension and examination of the results of their choices, are following up on issues including monetary profitability, licensed innovation rights, security insurance, and moderateness of and access to data, among different concerns. Innovation is aiding and helping the present day people to fabricate and support solid individual and expert systems. In the event that there is an examination made between the informal organizations of individuals who don’t utilize innovation with the individuals who are overwhelming clients of innovation, then there would be no chance to get of knowing whether any distinctions which have been watched were connected with demographic or different contrasts between these gatherings. It could also be that the distinctions would be seen with their varying examples of innovation use. In this way, it must be resolved what the people of the worldwide world to encounter and gain from their utilization of personal computers/laptops/cell phones/mobile phones with the goal that they are enabled to take control of these capable new devices in their lives. Advances and interest in innovation will keep on reducing the powers that require huge groups of an association’s and an industry’s vocation to be in the same physical area. There is no preventing the significance from claiming innovation similar to the affecting variable in online networking or advertising. Innovation use is regularly firmly connected with bigger and more assorted interpersonal organizations. Innovations can strengthen the seclusion of the people of the worldwide world for the individuals who need access and abilities, which hampers their monetary advancement and support in society and society. Cutting edge innovative advance and utilization of data innovation will dependably proceed at a quick pace later on or over the long haul. In this way, the examination study will be founded on whether personal computers are expanding or diminishing the differences amongst rich and poor. This examination ought to serve as a diagram of a portion of the more productive ranges of exploration, and create discussion about where the people of the present day world are and where they may go later on. Enhanced learning of how individuals connect with figuring and interchanges innovation, the circumstances under which individuals will profit by it, and the differential effects that such innovation has on various groups can be joined also into choices influencing innovation configuration and organization.
Section I. Introduction
Introduction to the topic/problem area
In the modern world, globalization can be seen as a prime factor contributing to the excessive digitalization of communication witnessed in the context of contemporary society. A large percentage of individuals living in the “global village” of modern society are being conditioned into a dependency on the usage of the latest technological gadgets and instruments in the context of their daily lives. This trend of technological dependency among large demographics of the global populace is most evidently contextually observed through the invention and worldwide commercial distribution of mobile phones, pagers, personal computers and other digital communication devices. Prior to the invention and widespread distribution of mobile phones, individuals depended on other mediums through which to communicate with others, such as writing letters, face-to-face interaction and word-of-mouth communication. But nowadays, with the advent of internet and widespread commercial availability of technological innovations for the general population, the trend has changed completely. Individuals living in the modern globalized world have become partially or entirely dependent on the use of technological gadgets and instruments for solving their personal, social and professional matters. The processes related to manually trying to solve and mitigate a particular household/social/professional/personal problem by individuals living in the modern globalized world have almost vanished in the context of an increasingly digitalized culture. In a sense, individuals living in the modern globalized world have, to varying degrees, become “slaves” to their dependency on technological gadgets and digital mediums in the facilitation of their daily lives. In this way, the human beings living in the modern globalized world have started to believe and expect more from technology and absolutely nothing from each other’s individual selves for solving and mitigating each of their problems.
Statement of the problem
The problem is to identify and highlight the causes for the trend of technological dependency among the human beings living in the modern globalized world. This trend of dependency is observed through the widespread reliance of individuals on technological gadgets and instruments for solving their personal, social and professional matters. The problem also seeks to examine the correlation between technological dependency among individuals living in the modern globalized world and the perceptions of alienation and loneliness among individuals who feel ostracized from their social lives due to dependency on technological or digital mediums for interpersonal communication.
Specific aims of the research
Research Questions
What are the impacts of technology on social relationships?
How does technology affect different social relationships?
Does technology act as a source of isolation for the human beings?
How can this research help and assist future researchers?
Research Hypothesis
H0: Null Hypothesis – There is no relation between dependency of the human beings on the latest technological gadgets and instruments with the alienation of the human beings of the modern world from each other into a digital world of loneliness.
H1: Alternative Hypothesis - There is positive correlation between dependency of the human beings on the latest technological gadgets and instruments with the alienation of the human beings of the modern world from each other into a digital world of loneliness.
Relevance to sociology
The research topic is relevant to sociology because it is a current social issue for the human beings of the modern world. There could be several positive as well as negative implications and impacts of using technology and entering or being engrossed into the world of technology (Price and Peterson 2015).
Section II. Literature Review, Background and Significance
The following sections will cater to critically examining relevant literature related to the research topic “The impact of technology on the psycho-social stability of individuals living in the modern globalized world” as composed and published by other researchers in the related fields and studies within the scope of the research topic.
Introduction to Literature Review
This research paper is based on examining the impact and influence of using technological gadgets by individuals in social contexts such as in workplaces, schools and within homes. The individuals belonging to the young generation are most prominently affected and influenced by the usage of the latest technological gadgets, yet existing academic literature has not provided a sufficient comprehensive examination of the impact of technological dependence on the psycho-social stability of members of this age demographic. Furthermore, literature related to this area of examination has in the author’s view not sufficiently addressed the influence of socio-cultural demographics, particularly age, when examining the degree of technological dependence and impact of dependence on an individual’s psycho-social stability and interpersonal relationships. There is seemingly a critical deficiency in understanding regarding the relationship between the excessive degree of use and misuse of technological gadgets among younger individuals in schools, workplaces and residences and psycho-social stability of the individual as observed through her or her ability to engage and participate in interpersonal communication. A primary example of this is that many of the schools and colleges in developed countries like the U.S and the U.K allow students to carry and use mobile phones, tablets, or any other technological communication device while on campus and within classes, which can facilitate both a sense of social isolation and integration with one’s peers. Moreover, it is also sometimes permissible for individuals to use mobile phones, tablets or any other technological digital communication device in the workplace. As such, technological digital communication devices are being used and misused excessively by younger individuals to indulge in the cultural addiction to entertainment. Thus, it seems as if the youngsters of the modern global world are not being able to live their individual lives without the use of technological digital communication devices. (Chen et al. 2016).
Addiction to Technology of the human beings of the global world and social networking websites
The social networking websites consist of great and extreme levels of entertainment value for the human beings of the global world, especially for the human beings belonging to the young generation. Li (2015: 1-11) explains that the psychological aspects of the Chinese human beings have evolved and changed over a period of time. He further illustrates that the Chinese citizens have no specific or fixed timings for playing video games or computer games or any other mobile or digital tablet games. The social networking websites like Facebook, offers a variety of innumerable and infinite virtual online games which the Chinese can enjoy and they do enjoy forgetting about their other mundane household and personal affairs. However, it is true that the Chinese citizens complete all their professional tasks and then get enticed to the social networking websites mostly for playing games. The only problem area is that the Chinese citizens do not keep track of the time when they start and when they end playing games or doing any other activity using the social networking websites. Arpaci and Baloğlu (2016) harps on the fact that the video game culture has become a great lesson for the human beings belonging to the other countries and nations. It shows that there is a need for changing the attitudes towards the excessive usage of the social networking websites and the internet by the human beings belonging to the global world. The youngsters of the global world are addicted to technology via the access to the social networking websites in schools, in colleges, in workplaces, etc. The major reason for this addiction towards the social networking websites is the aspect of human beings associated with the making of new friends, meeting of strangers, flirting with strangers as well as playing of the virtual online multiplayer and single player games as the virtual online multiplayer and single player games are made available for the social networking website (like Facebook) users. It can also be stated that the social networking websites are used by the youngsters of the global world in order to keep in touch with their existing friends and colleagues in schools, in colleges, in workplaces, etc. (Greenfield 2016).
Addiction to Technology of the human beings of the global world and mobile phones, digital tablets or any other latest technological digital communication device
According to Iinuma (2015), “The advent and the emergence of the mobile phones, the digital tablets or any other latest technological digital communication device – has been detrimental to the development of non-addiction of the human beings of the global world to technology”. This implies that the advent and the emergence of the mobile phones, the digital tablets or any other latest technological digital communication device – has become an influential factor in the development of technological addiction among human beings of the global world to the latest technological gadgets. The branded organizations using and taking advantage of ICT (information and communications technology - or technologies), have been successful in influencing the global customers to buy the latest digital communication devices like mobile phones, smartphones, digital tablets and so on. The global customers do not want to be backdated with the different advanced elements of technology available in the global target markets of the digital communication industry. So, the global customers opt for smartphones and digital tablets which are optimized for high performance and also for continuous performance for a long period of time. Manfredo et al. (2015) suggest that there is no guarantee as to how long a particular digital communication device will last or keep working. But still the global customers opt for the latest smartphones and the latest digital tablets rather than buying of any ordinary mobile phone which is not a smartphone or which does not consist of the characteristics of providing the customers with the opportunities to do multitasking (playing games, accessing the internet, listening to music, listening to the radio, multimedia storage and multimedia accessing, etc.). This implies that even after knowing the lack of durability in the smartphones and in the digital tablets, the modern human beings (of the globalized and digitalized world) are still opting to purchase and buy the smartphones and in the digital tablets in place of buying any ordinary mobile phone (which does not have the features of multitasking). This is the change in the psychology of the human beings of the global world which is evident and which can be observed at the present global situation. Liu, James and Macdonald (2016) have researched and found out that 90% of the human beings of the global world do not think practically or logically before buying any particular smartphone or digital tablet. This is because 90% of the global customers think that they can also get the best deal from the purchase of a particular smartphone or digital tablet by means of bargaining from the retailers. But in reality this does not happen. Even if 90% of the global customers think they have got the best deal from the retailers, the fact is that the global customers have been influenced by the retailers to buy a particular smartphone or a particular digital tablet from the retailers. This is a negative effect which addiction to technology can create in the lives of modern human beings. Most of the customers feel that they must change their smartphones or their digital tablets in every 6 months or every year because of the emergence of the latest technological developments in new digital communication products and the latest technological modifications in the already existing branded digital communication products. So, the modern human psychology is to either buy a new digital communication device or to exchange an already bought digital communication device with a new one.
Conclusion
Therefore, has been established and justified that the craze for the latest technological gadgets and the latest digital communication devices, have been growing and rising in the different parts of the global world. This study seeks to fill a void in context of academic literature regarding the critical examination of technological dependence as a factor influencing interpersonal and socio-cultural communication among particular age demographics. This study will also examine how the socio-cultural trend towards technological dependence may disturb the fabric of global human society in the long run by inhibiting traditional interpersonal communication and fostering a sense of social isolation. However, there are also certain positive aspects of using technology which must not be overlooked and must always be considered while researching about the topic of “The impact of technology on the psychology of the human beings living in the modernized global world.” Thus the aim of this study is to provide
Section III. Research Methodology
Research Design
The research design which I would be incorporating in my research study would be the descriptive and the exploratory research designs. This is because I feel that the explanatory research design would not suffice for the research topic which has been chosen by me. The descriptive research design can be defined as a research design in which the participants of the research are depicted in an accurate manner. So, I feel that I would use the descriptive research design for validating the accuracy of my research while also simultaneously employing the exploratory research design. This is because the exploratory research design delves deeply into a specific research problem which has not been clearly defined or identified and recognized. In my research, there are research gaps as well as unclear definitions of specific research problems pertaining to the research topic chosen by me. This is because there are positive as well as negative impacts and influences of the use of technology by the human beings of the modern, globalized and digitalized world. So, it can become extremely difficult to measure whether being addicted to technology by the modern human beings, is totally positive or not. Similarly, it can become extremely difficult to measure whether being addicted to technology by the modern human beings, is totally negative or not. There lies the unclearness of the definition of a specific research problem in my research. So, I think that both the descriptive and the exploratory research designs would make my research more cohesive and comprehensive than if I would use the explanatory research design. I would use the cross-sectional study as my research would be based on the cross-sectional examination regarding the relationship between different age demographics and varying degrees of technological dependence. I think that I would like to make my research cross-sectional because I would like to make my research observations by analyzing my collected and my collated research data collected from a selected population at one specific point of time (Chen et al. 2016).
I would adopt the non-experimental design in my research design. This is because I feel that the quasi-experimental design will not validate or justify my research design. The non-experimental design will help me and enable me to differentiate between one variable and another. My focus would be on correlational studies and also on the collection of correlational data, such as the correlation between age and technological addiction or degree of dependence. Moreover, the non-experimental design will be useful for my research design as I would be able to correlate and measure the relationship among variables by forming and structuring relational designs between one variable and another; according to the different conditions in my research experiment for my research topic. Therefore, I will have to adopt the survey approach as I am making my research a cross-sectional study to examine the correlation between the demographics of age groups and degree of technological addiction or dependency. Moreover, I would examine the relationships between and among the different formulated and framed variables, such as the relation between age and technological dependence, in an attempt to move toward establishing causality for my research paper and maintaining the internal validity of the study itself. (Liu, James and Macdonald 2016).
My rationale for the research would be as follows:
Defining a theory of correlation between one dependent and one independent variable.
Relating the root causes of the total dependency of the human beings with the use of the latest technological gadgets and instruments.
Analyzing and the defining the root causes of the alienation of the human beings of the modern world from each other into a digital world of loneliness.
Identifying and pinpointing the research gaps for helping and assisting the future researchers.
Making predictions into the future of this research by formulating suggestions and recommendations for improving on this research (Price and Peterson 2015).
Sampling Plan
The sampling plan which I would use in my research study would be the probability sampling method. A primary advantage of this method is to provide equal opportunities for each of the survey participants in the selected population so that samples are gathered in a way that each of the survey participants in a selected population demographic would be provided with equal chances of getting selected (Iinuma 2015).
I would select the mode of randomizing or taking the help of random samples while implementing and executing the probability sampling method. This is because each time I would select a particular item of the selected population I would give every other item in the selected population an equal opportunity to get selected by me for appearing in the sample. This means that I would generalize the sampling results back to the selected population from which they were chosen. The advantages of probability sampling would be avoiding partiality or biased/prejudiced interpretations of findings from sampling results and research inferences or conclusions. Probability sampling allows the researcher to be impartial in the examination of selected survey samples and to address each of the components of the samples equally and in detail. Thus, this sampling method will dissuade researchers from ignoring or disregarding elemental components of the samples. The disadvantages of probability sampling include the tedious and time consuming nature of the sampling, as well as a psychological pressure to address each of the components of the samples equally, which can result in restarting or redoing of the execution of the sampling method. The other probability sampling strategies, such as systematic sampling and stratified random sampling, would be less random than random sampling and would also be more time consuming and tedious than random sampling. If I were to use cluster sampling, then there would be loss of skillfulness or lack of effectiveness in sampling technique due to a lack of comprehensive examination of variables such as socio-cultural situations. The issue of external validity within my selected sampling strategy would be addressed by the generalization of random samples in probability sampling results back to the selected population from which they were chosen. The study population and the study sample would consist of individuals classified within three primary demographic groups based on age, including young, middle-aged and elderly individuals, of whom use the latest smartphones, laptops, computers and digital tablets. The study site would be at Humboldt State University located in Arcata, California (Liu, James and Macdonald 2016).
Data Collection Plan
I propose to collect my data from mailed questionnaires and telephone interviews, which may also be supplemented by secondary or existing data. When using questionnaires, I would definitely assist myself by examining previous research and previously formulated research questions by researchers who have conducted prior research regarding similar or related topics. . This will help me and enable me to understand the types of research questions which would bear fruitful and impactful results when answered by the survey participants. The questionnaire and the interview schedule will have an open-ended format. This is because close-ended questions would limit the number of options for response by survey participants. I would take all the survey answers and collate them together in a single cohesive document, then examine the similarities and differences among responses answered by the survey participants via email, telephone interviews and secondary or existing data. Therefore, I would use self-administered questionnaires (Chen et al. 2016).
I would ensure that I do not miss any of the answers answered by each of the survey participants to my survey questionnaire. When conducting interviews, I would conduct the interviews personally. Likewise, when emailing the questionnaires to the survey participants, I would email and send the survey questionnaires to the survey participants directly. When conducting the telephone interviews, I would call each of the survey participants and conduct the telephone interviews. I would also look up secondary or existing data from various sources like existing research papers from online databases and libraries. I would conduct the telephone interviews to contact the elderly people and the old aged people who might not be able to answer to emails for sending replies to my mailed questionnaires. Telephonic interviews would help me to get the actual feelings and emotions and appropriates responses about my research paper and my research questionnaire. Mailed questionnaires would be useful in scenarios of contacting the individuals belonging to the young generation as well as the middle aged population. I would take a sample size of about 100 individuals and conduct the process of probability sampling so that I would not start following the process of the random sampling method (Price and Peterson 2015). This is because the probability sampling method has several advantages like not being partial or biased and prejudiced in finding out the sampling results and research inferences or conclusions. (Iinuma 2015).
As I am using self-administered questionnaires, I would distribute the self-administered questionnaires by printing out copies of the self-administered questionnaires and then moving on to photocopying some of the printed copies to make replicas and copies of the originally printed survey questionnaires. Thereafter, I would send the printed copies and photocopies of self-administered survey questionnaires via e-mails and fax messages. I would send e-mails and fax messages to the individuals belonging to the young generation as well as the middle aged population interested to become the participants of the research survey conducted by me for my research. However, I would not send e-mails and fax messages to the elderly people and the old aged people as they might not be able to answer to emails for sending replies to my mailed questionnaires. Therefore, I would conduct telephonic interviews to contact the elderly people and the old aged people for answering questions of my survey questionnaires. So, when I would conduct telephonic interviews, I would be not being able to distribute printed copies or photocopies of my self-administered survey questionnaires during phone call conversations instantly. Therefore, I have chosen to conduct telephonic interviews and conversations with the elderly and the old aged participants for answering the questions of my survey questionnaire. I can talk directly with the elderly and the old aged participants and get to know each of their answers to my questions about my self-administered survey questionnaire (Liu, James and Macdonald 2016). I would not use trained research assistants to help with data collection because I have already researched and learned about the different types of data collection methods while conducting different kinds of researches. Therefore, I will personally examine and analyze the content of survey responses and correlate this data with variables among the sample population, in addition to data compiled in prior related research. I will compile survey responses gathered from email, fax and telephone interviews into a cohesive single document to more effectively examine how variables in response relate to variables in the sample population, such as age demographics. Furthermore, I will seek to employ an interpretative analytical framework partially based on principles of social constructionism to examine how the trend of technological dependence among members of certain age demographics facilitates deviation from traditional forms of interpersonal communication and thus can promote the perception of social isolation.
I will collect the data from the Humboldt State University located in Arcata, Humboldt County, California. This is because the study population and the study sample would be from all different ages of human beings using the latest smartphones, laptops, computers and digital tablets. Thus, the timeframe of this study could be adjusted to coincide with seasonal academic terms at the university to ensure the widespread dissemination of the survey to respondents and maximum degree of variation among the sample population. In addition, the choice of Humboldt State University as a primary location lend a greater sense of academic credence to the study and thus the decision of the researcher to forgo financial compensation for participants could be more easily justified as an avenue of academic study. In addition, the methods of distribution of the survey allow respondents to participate remotely, such as via the internet or phone, and thus should require no additional material or monetary commitment on part of the researcher, such as compensation for transportation or childcare. The study site would be the Humboldt State University located in Arcata, Humboldt County, California (Liu, James and Macdonald 2016).
Operationalization of Concepts and Measurement
Total dependency of the human beings – ‘Total dependency of the human beings’ can be defined as something on which the human beings of the global world are 100% dependent or addicted. This concept of the ‘total dependency of the human beings’ is something which is measurable and identifiable. This is because of the fact that the dependency of the human beings varies from one aspect to another, and thus varying degrees of societal dependency should be regarded as dependent variables influencing the global trend of total technological dependence. Moreover, there are different percentages of dependencies of the human beings which can be observed and recognized while researching the human tendencies of becoming dependent on materialistic elements in the modern human lives. The degrees of dependency can be partial, part-time or leisurely, occasional as well as total or in totality. This is because the human beings of the modern global world are dependent on several aspects for obtaining and procuring different humanly and earthly requirements. There are basic amenities of the human lives without which the human beings of the global world cannot survive or live. However, there are also certain earthly and materialistic possessions without which the human beings can live. These basic amenities and other earthly and materialistic possessions (without which the human beings can live) can be classified into three categories – basic necessities, comforts and luxuries (Liu, James and Macdonald 2016). The basic necessities are universal and are mandatory to be made available to the human beings for survival in even the worst of circumstances or even in dire straits. The basic necessities are food, water, clothing and shelter without which the human beings cannot survive. So, the rate of dependency on the basic necessities is – 100% in totality, i.e. it is implying to the ‘total dependency of the human beings’. However, there are comforts and luxuries without which the human beings can still live. Examples of comforts are – television, mobile phones, bean bag chairs, bean bags, air conditioner and so on. The degree of dependency among human beings of the global world on comforts are partial, part-time or leisurely. This is because comforts can be variably desired by the human beings of the global world at different phases of their lives (Chen et al. 2016). However, the procurement of comforts requires fixed components and variables to be accomplished, such as the capacity to purchase the comforts without jeopardizing one’s financial stability. The possession of financial resources to buy the comforts and procure them, is a fixed component in case of buying of comforts and consuming them. Thus, the degree of economic affluence of the selected population demographic should also be considered as a dependent variable influencing the trend of total technological dependence. The variables or variable components related to buying the comforts and procuring them are observed in such aspects related to making purchasing decisions, such as available bank balances during the time of purchasing of the comforts, the financial calculations to be made for the future or the financial predictions for the future and so on (Liu, James and Macdonald 2016).
The latest technological gadgets and instruments – ‘The latest technological gadgets and instruments’ can be defined as the technological gadgets and instruments which are not at all outdated and which consist of 100% technological optimization and technological innovation in their technical and technological designing and infrastructures. The concept of ‘the latest technological gadgets and instruments’ is something which is measurable and identifiable through an interval based level of measurement examining the release and distribution of technological innovations in a globalized context. In addition, a nominal level of measurement regarding variables such as age and socio-economic demographic data may be applied to examine the relationship and degree of dependency between these variables and the diffusion of technological innovations within a society. Additionally, there are several different elements within the concept of ‘the latest technological gadgets and instruments’ which serve as dependent variables when examining the degree of technological dependence, which can be classified into different digital mediums like mobile phones, smartphones, digital tablets, digital phablets and so on (Iinuma 2015).
Digital world of loneliness – ‘Digital world of loneliness’ can be defined as the total subjection and surrendering of a particular human being towards the use and dependency on digital gadgets and instruments to communicate with others and establish or maintain interpersonal relationships. This near total dependency on technological gadgets and digital communication can result in a sense of social isolation among individual who have chosen to forgo traditional forms of interpersonal communication, such as face-to-face interaction
The variables which I would measure on a nominal level via age demographic distribution n my research project include relationships between degrees of addiction and total dependence on technology by the human beings of the global world, as well as how these degrees of dependence and addiction correlate to experiences of total alienation and partial alienation from the digital world. The influence of age demographics is also a primary dependent variable which will be measured on a nominal level to determine the impact of age on technological addiction and dependence. (Price and Peterson 2015).
The level of measurement for all the above mentioned variables would be nominal and/or ordinal. This is because the exploratory and the descriptive research methods would be used to research about the above mentioned variables. I would use the standardized instruments or measures that have been used in previous research in this area. Validity and reliability would be determined by me in this research using standardized measures such as reliability coefficient. When the research questions are answered thoroughly and the researcher feels that the research questions can be answered again and again in the future by the human beings to whom the research questions are asked then it can be assumed that the research questions possess the qualities of reliability as well as validity. Moreover, if there can be ways found out to identify whether the research questions can be measurable then the validity of the research questions can be established. The reliability and the validity of the research questions in this research can be established and justified from the fact that the research topic has been researched previously by previous researchers in a different manner and with similar research topic titles (Liu, James and Macdonald 2016).
Human Subjects Protocol
My anticipated sample focuses on key socio-demographic distributions based on age as follows:
1) 30 survey participants 60 years of age or older.
2) 40 survey participants aging between 6 and 25 years.
3) 30 survey participants aging between 30 years to 49 years.
Socio-cultural Demographics and Inclusion Criteria - In regards to criteria for inclusion in this study, members of the subject population must conform to one of three selected age based demographics listed above, yet beyond this overarching criteria the study will be dynamically inclusive in terms socio-cultural or socio-economic status. I have chosen 40 survey participants from the young aged generations aging between 6 years to 25 years because I feel that the impact of technology on social relationships can be best observed by the survey participants from the young aged generations aging between 6 years to 25 years.
Rationale- One reason for this consideration is the fact that the survey participants belonging to this age demographic observe people of all ages in the context of their everyday closely. However, the people belonging to the middle aged and the old aged demographics may not have the time or the energy to be as observant about every generation of people surrounding them on a daily basis. I am basing this presumption partially upon personal experience, as I can recall situations in my daily life in which I closely observed the day-to-day activities of my grandfather, parents and siblings. However, I could also be wrong in my consideration. But I feel that the probability of getting appropriate, qualitative and subjective answers to my survey questionnaires is higher if I take more samples from the 40 survey participants belonging to the young aged generations aging between 6 years to 25 years than taking samples from the middle aged or the old aged survey participants. Another reason for my consideration is the aspect of the young generation being predominant consumers of the latest technologies more than the people belonging to the old aged generations. Individuals from the younger age demographic are far more likely to have become conditioned into technological dependence through lifelong indoctrination in an increasingly digitalized culture. (Iinuma 2015). For instance, younger individuals have been provided from an early age with an extensive amount of technological innovation in the context of their daily lives due to the relatively recent mass proliferation of technological gadgets and digital outlets.
Sources of Research Material and Purpose/Nature of Research Data-The sources of materials which I would use for this research would be first-hand data after checking the specimens and records from previous researches. This is because I would like to make my research as original and as authentic as possible. This would serve the purpose of making my research different but similar from other researches. I would like to streamline my research into three major categories – The first category would be the first-hand data from the survey answers which I would receive from the 30 survey participants belonging to the old aged generations aging above or equal to 60 years. The second category would be the first-hand data from the survey answers which I would receive from the 40 survey participants belonging to the young aged generations aging between 6 years to 25 years. The third category would be the first-hand data from the survey answers which I would receive from the 30 survey participants belonging to the middle aged generations aging between 30 years to 49 years. I want to keep my sources specific to first-hand data and not limited to specimens or existing records for validating and justifying my research purpose and my research topic (Chen et al. 2016). Of course, I would study and read the existing research methods and sampling techniques used by previous researchers in their specific researches about similar topics to my chosen research topic about the impact of technology on social relationships. All research material in the context of this study will be obtained specifically for research purposes. The study will use existing research materials and data as a yardstick of success in research, but the existing research materials and data found in previous researches will not be used verbatim (Liu, James and Macdonald 2016). The survey participants would be informed that the information taken from them would be strictly used for research purposes and not for any use of personal nature by me. This would also imply that the answers about the survey questionnaires received by me would be used exclusively for the validation of research investigations and inferences and not for any external use to any publishing house or print media.
Plan of Recruitment and Procedures for Obtaining Consent- The survey participants would be ensured about the protection of each of their privacies and their names would not be disclosed until and unless deemed absolutely necessary. In such cases, the survey participants of the research would be informed beforehand. Only if the survey participants would give permissions then their names would be disclosed in the section of ‘Findings and Analysis’ in the final research paper. Everything would be done with written consent obtained from the research survey participants so that there are no legal or ethical issues and problems later on in the future (Price and Peterson 2015). In this way, the research survey participants would be satisfied and I would be satiated as well. This is because if there is only verbal consent received from the research survey participants then the survey participants can change their minds and sue me anytime in the long run for intruding into their privacies, such as publishing personal information without consent or knowledge. Therefore, the written documentation would be a proof of the fact that the research survey participants had consented before the action was taken to use their survey responses and other data related to them. Even if a particular survey participant would refuse to provide a written consent, I would insist on a written consent. If a written consent would be unavailable, then I would not record the survey response given by that particular research survey participant. The written consent forms would be printed and attached with the copies of the self-administered questionnaires as prepared by me. Then they would be sent via e-mails and fax messages to the individuals belonging to the young generation (aging between 6 years to 25 years) as well as the middle aged (between 30 years to 49 years) population interested to become the participants of the research survey conducted by me for my research. The old aged population (aging above or equal to 60 years) would be contacted via telephonic interviews. So, they would be not being sent the written consent forms. They would be verbally asked whether they would like to participate in the survey or not. Once, they would give their consent, the telephonic conversations with them would be recorded for legal and ethical purposes. It must be noted that the old aged populations (aging above or equal to 60 years) would be requested to provide us with their permission before recording their phone calls with me by participating into the research survey and by willing to answer the research survey questionnaires.
Potential Risks and Methods of Risk Management/Prevention- There could be potential risks of obtaining inaccurate survey results due to biased views and prejudiced opinions given by some of the research participants purposely. Conversely, the predispositions and socio-cultural ideological systems of the researcher could result in risks related to the inaccurate interpretation or analyzation of survey results. There could also be certain survey participants who would try to answer the questions quickly to save their individual times to do other surveys. The survey participants must not be forced by me to participate in the survey. They can be insisted or requested by me but never forced or nagged by me. In cases of adverse consequences of potential risks posed by actions of the respondents, I could request legal help and produce the written consent forms (in case of the young and the middle aged generations) or recordings of telephonic conversations in case of old aged populations (aging above or equal to 60 years). In addition, I could mitigate the risk of my own perceptual bias by engaging in a comprehensive analysis of preexisting research related to the topic. The above mentioned risks are extremely important to be analyzed for minimizing research costs and research time and for enhancing research benefits for me. Otherwise, a lot of time would be wasted in rectifying survey results.
Administration and Timetable
A brief timeline for collecting the data
First of all, I would focus on the elderly and the old aged participants to collect my research data from my self-administered research questionnaires. I would spend about 7 days approximately (which is about a week) to gather the survey responses from the elderly and the old aged survey participants to my survey questionnaires. This is because I would concentrate and focus on qualitative data more than quantitative data on each of the 7 days. I would conduct telephonic survey interviews for the elderly and the old aged survey participants as I had mentioned earlier. So, I would call about 20 to 30 elderly and old aged survey participants each day of the 7 days. This is because I do not want to conduct too many telephonic interviews on a particular day of the week simply for the reason that I would want to summarize each day with the descriptions of the survey responses and the similar or the dissimilar and different survey responses given to me by the elderly and the old aged survey participants. After the seven days of the initial phase of conducting telephonic surveys and collecting data is over, I would focus and concentrate on the individuals belonging to the young generation as well as the middle aged population interested to become the participants of the research survey conducted by me for my research. I would not spend more than 3 to 4 days on this group. This is because my research topic is based on modern trends and my sample size would also be taken from the responses of 100 survey participants. I would e-mail and fax printed hard copies and soft copies of my self-administered survey questionnaires to 10 to 20 individuals belonging to the young generation as well as the middle aged population each of the 3 to 4 days I would spend with this group. Then I would take one or two days to observe the responses of each of the groups of survey participants. No, I would not pay the survey participants for their participation in my survey. Rather, I would thank them and be grateful to them for participating in my survey. I would use the Postmodernism framework for analyzing my data because I feel that there are many ways to know the truth about my research topic. I would also be able to establish more than one fact from the collected data about my research.
Limitations of the Study
The limitations of this research are related to the limitations of time for the research. There could be more time spent on the research if there would be the availability of more time to the researcher. More time could be spent in future by the future researchers on the effectiveness of technology in social and personal relationships. This could be beneficial for the future researchers as they could delve deep into the implications and the inferences of the future researches.
References
Arpaci, I. and Baloğlu, M., 2016. The impact of cultural collectivism on knowledge sharing among information technology majoring undergraduates. Computers in Human Behavior, 56, pp.65-71.
Chen, Sylvia Xiaohua et al. 2016. "Conceptualizing Psychological Processes in Response to Globalization: Components, Antecedents, And Consequences of Global Orientations." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 110(2):302-331.
Greenfield, P.M. 2016. "Social Change, Cultural Evolution, And Human Development". Sciencedirect.com. Retrieved February 10, 2016 (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X15002584).
Iinuma, Mizuho. 2015. "Literacy Theories in The Knowledge Society". Learning and Teaching with Technology in the Knowledge Society 1-13.
Li, Deshun. 2015. "Introduction: The Homeland of Culture and Man". On Chinese Culture 1-11.
Liu, James H., and Matthew Macdonald. 2016. "Towards A Psychology of Global Consciousness Through an Ethical Conception of Self in Society". Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour n/a-n/a.
Manfredo, Michael J., Tara L. Teel, and Alia M. Dietsch. 2015. "Implications of Human Value Shift and Persistence for Biodiversity Conservation". Conservation Biology n/a-n/a.
Price, A. M., and L. P. Peterson. 2015. "Scientific Progress, Risk, And Development: Explaining Attitudes Toward Science Cross-Nationally". International Sociology 31(1):57-80.
Soc 382: Research Methods
Final Research Proposal
(Source: Martinek)
Spring 2016 Worth: 25 points
1. Cover Page – Title; your name, class, and date
2. Abstract – short summary paragraph (no more than 400 words)
3. Table of Contents (1 page single spaced max.)
4. Executive Summary (2 page maximum, single spaced) see attached instructions
5. Section I. Introduction (1.5 page single spaced maximum)
B. Specific Aims of your research & Research questions/hypothesis
C. Relevance to Sociology
6. Section II. Literature Review, Background and Significance (3 page single spaced maximum)
A. Critical review of the literature in this area
B. Summary of the gaps in knowledge addressed by your study
C. Relate specific aims to overall significance
7. Section III. Preliminary Studies -- If applicable (1 page single spaced maximum)
(You can include your relevant experience in this area, whether it be research or practice/policy experience)
8. Section IV. Research Methodology
A. Research Design (1 page single spaced maximum): describe the design and rationale for choosing this design including its advantages and disadvantages. (inc. issues of internal validity)
B. Sampling Plan: (1 page single spaced maximum)
describe the sampling plan and rational for choosing this strategy including its advantages and disadvantages (inc. issues of external validity)
describe the study population and study sample (size and composition of the sample)
describe the study site (where the data will be collected, e.g. description of the clinic, county, etc.)
C. Data Collection Plan and Procedures (2 page maximum single spaced)
Recruitment: describe how you will recruit subjects/participants (this might be in your Sampling Plan: elaborate in this section)
Data Collection Techniques: describe how you will collect the data, what method(s) you will use (e.g. mailed questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, secondary data, etc.)
Data Analysis: describe how you will analyze your data. If you use a software program to assist with your analysis, indicate which program.
Framework: describe the framework you will use for analyzing your data.
D. Operationalization of Concepts and Measurement (1.5 page maximum single spaced): describe your constructs or concepts and name your variables (dependent/independent/control), how you will measure them (if you will develop measure or use standardized measures/instrumentation), include a discussion of reliability/validity of your measures.
E. Human Subjects Protocol (1.5 page maximum single spaced): respond briefly to the concerns listed in the handout on this
F. Administration and Timetable (1 page maximum single spaced): present a brief plan for the administration of the study with specific research activities and a timeline. A table to help summarize this information may be helpful.
G. Limitations of the Study (0.5 page maximum single spaced): identify and discuss briefly any limitations of the study that have not been addressed above
9. Literature Cited (Bibliography): prepare a reference list of all literature cited in proposal using ASA format (references must be listed alphabetically)
This assignment must be typed, single-spaced, one inch margins, with pages numbered. It should be 10-14 pages in length but may not exceed a total of 15 pages single spaced (no matter how many research methods you use). The 15 page maximum includes a separate page for each of the following: Cover, Abstract, Table of Contents, and 2 for the Executive Summary. Papers may be double sided. The 15 page limit does not include Bibliography.
Soc 382: Research Methods
Assignment #3
Spring 2016 Worth: 25 points
Grading/Scoring of Paper
Comments:
Abstract (Maximum 400 words) single spaced
Write a brief description for your research proposal in 400 words or less to in 1-2 paragraphs to describe research project. Must include: research topic, research purpose, research question, research design (including instrument description), sampling plan, data collection plan, and theory/framework.
Executive Summary (Maximum 2 pages – single spaced)
Write a brief description for each section of your research proposal (1-2 paragraphs each)
Introduction
Literature Review
Research Methodology
Research Design
Sampling Plan
Data Collection Plan and Procedures
Framework/Theory
Human Subjects Protocol
Limitations of Study
This summary will be submitted to the Senior Thesis instructor for admission to Soc 492 (permission number to enroll required) along with an annotated bibliography of 10-15 sources). Senior Project instructors have requested the Executive Summary be no longer than 2 pages single-spaced.
Administrative Timeline
Provide a timeline of your project from writing your proposal to completing your report/paper write-up. Below is an example table as an option to include as part of this section.
Research Timeline
