week 9

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Chapter Three: Research Methodology (Mixed-Methods)

Arnita Norman

Liberty University Online

CLED987: Research Methods for Christian Leadership V (A01) CLED987_A01_202430 Gary Bredfeldt

June 11, 2024

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Research Design Synopsis

Research Problem

Teenagers today are immersed in a digital world dominated by social media. Today,

teenagers aged between 13 and 17 years are the biggest users of social media where are research

by Phew Research Center shows that 67% of U.S. use TikTok, 62% use Instagram, 59% use

Snap Chat, 32% use Facebook, 95% use YouTube while a significant number use platform like

Reddit, X, Twitch, Tumblr and WhatsApp (Vogels, Gelles-watnick & Massarat, 2022). Research

shows that teen years are very critical because that is when youngones are growing intellectually,

when identities and feelings of self-worth are formed (Katella, 2024). However, research shows

that although these platforms offer opportunities for connection and information, they highly

present challenges especially in teenagers mental well-being and social behavior (Allen et al.,

2014; Bohn, 2021; Vogels, Gelles-watnick & Massarat, 2022; Katella, 2024; Cason et al., 2024).

There is lack of study on how social media affects teenager’s religious behavior. From a

theological point of view, many religions view the world, including technology, as God's

creation. The question then becomes how teenagers in today’s digitally invested space can use

this creation responsibly and for good, avoiding its pitfalls. Spiritual growth and discipleship

require intentional practices such as prayer, reading scripture, and participating in communal

worship. Social media's pervasive presence can distract teenagers from these spiritual disciplines,

consuming time and attention that could be devoted to nurturing their faith. Theologically, this

raises concerns about how digital engagement might hinder spiritual formation and the

development of a robust and mature faith. This study will address this gap and build on the

existing research on the impact of social media on teenagers' mental well-being and social

behavior.

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Research Purpose

This research aims to examines the digital dilemma facing teenagers, especially when it

comes to the influence of social media on their mental well-being, social behavior and religious

behavior. Understanding how social media not only affects psychological or social wellbeing but

also impacts teenager’s religious engagement will equip parents, religious leaders, and teenagers

themselves with strategies for navigating the digital world in a way that fosters both a strong

faith and healthy online habits.

Research Questions

The following research questions will be addressed in the study:

1. How does social media affect the psychological well-being, social as well as religious

behavior of teenagers?

2. How does social media affect teenagers' engagement with religious practices, beliefs, and

communities?

3. What is the role of parents, educators and religious leaders in ensuring teenagers consume

the right content from social media?

Research Design and Methodology

The study will use mixed method design where the researcher will collect and analyze

both quantitative and qualitative data. This method was selected because it will allow the

researcher address the limitations of both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The

quantitative data will be collected through survey questionnaires and use descriptive statistics to

analyze the data. The survey design will include use of closed-ended questions to measure social

media usage patterns, mental health effect social behavior, and religious behavior. A pilot test

will be conducted to test on the survey on a small group of teenagers to ensure clarity and

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comprehensiveness. The surveys will be administered online, where the participants will be

given a link to google forms where they can easily fill out their answer anonymously.

Descriptive statistics will be used to analyze the quantitative survey data using Excel software,

and the results will be reported using frequencies, percentages, and averages.

On the other hand, the qualitative data will be obtained through focus group surveys and

use thematic analysis technique to analyze the transcribed data. According to Stewart and

Shamdasani (2014), a focus group can be defined broadly as “a type of group discussion about a

topic under the guidance of a trained group moderator” (p. 687). The researcher will develop

semi-structured guides with open-ended questions tailored to explore teenagers' experiences,

thoughts, and feelings about social media and its impact on their lives, focusing on church youth

groups. The discussions will be recorded with permission from participants for transcription in

the later staged of analysis. The focus group sessions will take place over a period of three

months. This timeline will allow for sufficient scheduling flexibility to accommodate the

availability of the participants and to ensure thorough and thoughtful data collection. The

extended duration will also provide the opportunity for ongoing reflection and analysis, enabling

the researcher to refine questions and explore emerging themes in subsequent focus groups. The

research will rely on qualitative data analysis software (NVivo) to organize, code, and analyze

the data after it has been transcribed.

Quantitative Research Methodology

Population

The research population or the target group refers to the entire group of individuals to

which the researcher wants to generalize findings (Banerjee & Chaudhury, 2010). In this study,

population is teenagers aged 11-17 years residing in St. Louis, MO, USA. Based on the most

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recent American census data, it is seen that there are 60,837 residents under the age of 18 in St.

Louis, which is approximately 18% of the total population in the city jurisdiction (U.S. Census

Bureau, 2022). This demographic includes a diverse group of young individuals in various stages

of adolescence, encompassing middle school, high school, and early college years. The selection

of this age range is intended to capture the full spectrum of adolescent experiences with social

media, as this period is critical for identity formation, social development, and religious

engagement.

Sampling Procedures

The aim of sampling is to have a sample size that is adequate enough and is a

representation of the targeted population (Crowther & Lancaster, 2012). This study will use

purposive technique when recruiting participants for the study. In this case, the researcher only

takes individuals who meet the necessary standards constructive to the goals of the research in

this case; the teenagers involved are social media active users who are within the required age

bracket. According to Etikan et al. (2016), purposeful sampling enables the researcher to reach

numbers of patients who stand high chances of offering the needed information in the study. The

data will be collected using a sample of 200 participants. However, the above sample size will be

modified to fit specific resources available according to the study’s limitations or resources

available.

Limitations of Generalization

Validity is one of the most important criteria that are used in measuring generalizability

in studies conducted using quantitative research methods (Polit & Beck, 2010). For instance,

external validity or the extent to which findings from one investigation can be translated to other

setting, has been an appreciated attribute for years (Polit & Beck, 2010). One limitation of this

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study is that the findings may not be easily generalizable to all teenagers outside of the St. Louis,

Missouri area. The cultural, socio-economic, and regional characteristics of St. Louis might

influence the behaviors and attitudes of the participants, meaning the results might not fully

reflect the experiences of teenagers in different geographic locations or contexts. Additionally,

the use of purposive sampling limits the ability to generalize findings to the entire population of

teenagers, as the sample is not randomly selected (Etikan et al., 2016).

Ethical Considerations

While surveys might seem like a gentle touchpoint a participant is likely not to be able to

link with the researcher and may not be impacted by the research findings, meaning a set of

guidelines for ethical research using surveys is required (Hammer, 2017). In their study, Roberts

and Allen (2015) identified the following as the major ethical issues inevitable in the use of

online surveys: consent, incentives for response, individual and collective privacy and

anonymity, and data quality. In this study, the researcher will explain and obtain consent from all

the participants about the research’s purpose, procedures, and their individual rights as subjects.

In the case of the minors, consent will also be required from either the parents or the guardian of

the minor. The confidentiality principle mandates that participants will be free to withdraw from

the study at any one time without any repercussions.

As to the third point, participants will also be made aware that there is no reward for

completing the survey. Pseudonyms will be used for identifying participants and any data will

not be presented in a manner that volunteers can be identified or their individual responses can

be traced. Furthermore, the study will adhere to ethical guidelines and regulations for conducting

research with minors, ensuring their safety and well-being throughout the research process. The

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researcher will take measures to ensure the data collected through online surveys is accurate and

reliable be designing clear and concise questions and storing the responses in a secure computer.

Qualitative Research Methodology

Setting

In qualitative focus group research, the setting refers to the physical and social

environment where the focus group discussion takes place (Gibbs, 2012). Setting plays a crucial

role in influencing the quality and nature of the data collected. The setting for this research is a

church, specifically targeting the youth groups within this religious community. Churches often

serve as central social hubs for their members, particularly for young people, and provide a

context where values, behaviors, and community interactions are deeply intertwined with

religious teachings. The church setting was also chosen because of the religious aspect of the

research questions, whereby obtaining relevant data about the influence of social media on

teenagers’ religious will be easier. In addition, conducting the research in this setting allows for

the examination of how social media influences not only the general well-being and social

interactions of teenagers but also their religious behavior and engagement within a faith-based

community.

Participants

Participants will be recruited from the church youth, specifically targeting those aged 11

to 17 years. The researcher will select participants from church youth groups who are willing to

discuss their social media experiences openly. To ensure comprehensive data collection and to

reach data saturation, the study will conduct at least five focus groups, each consisting of 5-6

participants. According to Breen (2006), researchers using focus group for data collection should

ensure that the groups are homogenous, and comprise between four and six people in each. This

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sampling strategy aims to capture a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, providing a

thorough understanding of the research topic. In addition, the researcher will seek to have at least

5 focus group sessions. Based on the arguments of Corbin (1990) and Breen (2006), the number

of interviews to be conducted should focus on the degree of expectation of the researcher that he

or she will be reaching theoretical saturation when conducting the thematic analysis; that is,

more than expectation of the next interview would reveal new themes. By the time the interview

hit the 10-12 mark; the researcher is usually sated from experience from theoretical saturations

(Breen, 2006).

Role of the Researcher

In focus group discussion, the researcher plays a role of a moderator in which the

researcher facilitates and begins the discussion with pre-set questions and does not control the

flow of group discussion (Nyumba et al., 2018). In this study, the researcher will assume the role

of focus group leader or moderator and facilitate the arranged discussions by ensuring that each

participant has the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences. The researcher will guide

the conversation with prepared questions but also allow the discussion to flow naturally, probing

deeper into relevant topics as they arise. This role requires the researcher to be neutral,

empathetic, and skilled in managing group dynamics to foster an open and respectful dialogue

(Gibbs, 2012). As a moderator, the researcher will be attuned to participants' emotional well-

being and create a space where they feel safe to express discomfort or need breaks if necessary.

Ethical Considerations

While explaining the relevance of focus groups for international business research, Sim

and Waterfield (2019) argue that focus group methodology creates different ethical issues that do

not have a one-to-one match with those arising from face-to-face interviews. The ethical

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concerns that can frequently arrive when conducting a focus group include consent;

confidentiality and anonymity; and risks of harm (Tolich, 2016; Sim & Waterfield, 2019). In this

study, one very important factor will be the willingness of the participants to participate. It will

be ensured that both the teenagers and their parents or guardians provide their informed consent

on their participation. As White (2013) remarks, consent is backed up by the accompanying

principle of respect for persons, signifying, one must never treat the other merely as a means to

an end. As such, the researcher will ensure participants’ wish will be respected and that they

understand the study and make an autonomous choice about involvement. The researcher will

ensure participants are fully informed and empowered to make a voluntary decision. This will be

achieved by providing adequate information about the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and

benefits.

Besides, anonymity in reporting will be strictly maintained to protect the privacy of the

participants, ensuring that no identifiable information is disclosed in the study's findings.

According to Sim and Waterfield (2019), anonymity focuses on whether an individual

participant can be identified from the collected data. In an anonymous study, there's no way to

link any information back to a specific person. This might involve removing names, addresses,

or any other details that could potentially reveal someone's identity. Some participants might be

worried about specific details being revealed even if they cannot be personally identified (Tolich,

2016). For example, someone might be willing to share their struggles with social media but not

comfortable if their religious beliefs were made public without being anonymous. In this study,

the participant's identity will be kept confidential by ensuring that no one outside the research

team can identify participants from the reported findings.

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Additionally, the researcher will create a safe and supportive environment for the

discussions, emphasizing that participants can withdraw from the study at any time without any

repercussions. While there are moments when focus groups almost encourage participants’

support, there are also times when one’s vulnerability with other people’s group may be

destructive and result to social or psychological harm when the confidentiality and anonymity of

the participants are compromised by the data gleaned from the discussion (Ransome, 2013).

Some of the risks that participants may face include: embarrassment, shame, stigmatization,

discrimination, problem in existing relationships with friends, family and other relativity,

disadvantageous consequences at the place of work, and legal consequences for exposures

sometime that leads to legal implication (Sim & Waterfield, 2019). To avoid any form of harm to

participants, the researcher will set clear ground rules for respectful discussion and emphasize

confidentiality to help participants feel more comfortable sharing their views and experiences

with social media.

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