The effects of social media on adolescents’ self-esteem.”

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An essential skill, whether you enter the field of psychology or a related discipline, is to be able to summarize and evaluate empirical research. Empirical research refers to research articles that present novel research findings (as opposed to providing an opinion or review). These readings and your textbook provide an overview of the breadth of the research on psychology.

Completing a literature review for this project will consist of identifying a topic of interest, finding an empirical research article related to your topic, read and summarize the introduction, methods, results, and conclusions, and provide a critical analysis of the article and its relation to your topic.

STEP 1: Identify a topic of interest.

Finding a solid topic is one of the most important steps when writing any type of paper. The key to selecting a good topic for your psychology paper is to select something that is narrow enough to allow you to really focus on the subject, but not so narrow that it is difficult to find sources or information to write about.

 

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Identifying a captivating topic is crucial for your psychology literature review. Here are some strategies to guide your selection process:

Consider Your Interests: What areas of psychology pique your curiosity? Are you fascinated by social influence, the complexities of memory, or the impact of technology on mental health?

Explore Current Events: Look for psychology-related news articles or social media discussions that spark your interest. Could you delve deeper into a specific aspect of that topic through research?

Coursework and Textbooks: Have you encountered a particular theory, experiment, or concept in your psychology classes that you’d like to learn more about?

Balancing Specificity and Scope:

  • Too Broad: “The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health” is a vast topic. Refining it to “The Impact of Instagram Use on Body Image in Adolescents” creates a more manageable scope.
  • Too Narrow: “The Influence of Red Wallpaper on Attention Span in 5-Year-Olds” might be difficult to find research on. Broaden it slightly to “The Influence of Classroom Color Schemes on Elementary School Students’ Attention” for better searchability.

Using Your Topic for Research:

Once you have a general area of interest, use these questions to ensure it’s suitable for a literature review:

  • Is there enough research available on this topic? A good topic will have a solid base of empirical research articles to support your analysis.
  • Can you find recent and relevant research? Look for articles published within the past 5-10 years to ensure your review reflects current knowledge.

Examples of Potential Topics:

  • The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Meditation for Reducing Anxiety in College Students.
  • The Influence of Parental Involvement on Academic Achievement in Low-Income Households.
  • The Impact of Video Game Playing on Cognitive Development in Children.
  • The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Depression in Adults.
  • The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treating Eating Disorders.

Remember, this is just a starting point. Refine your topic based on your specific interests and research feasibility.

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