Instrument Research

Title: Instagram usage and social comparison: A study of college students and their body image

RQ1: How is the amount of Instagram use related to college students’ body image?

Key Variables: Independent Variable – Instagram usage, Dependent Variable – Body Image

Proposed Sampling Method: A volunteer sample of at least 20 college students, ideally at least 10 men and 10 women. I will get the sample by asking friends, classmates, peers, and family members who attend college.

Authors: Matthew Cover

Brief Introduction of Survey

My name is Matthew Cover and I am conducing a research project for a communications course at George Mason University. Thank you for agreeing to take part in this important survey that will measure how Instagram usage affects the body image of college students. It should only take four to five minutes to complete. All respondents will remain anonymous all of the data collected will be used only for this research. There are no foreseeable risks for participants and there are no benefits other than further research into the link between Instagram usage and body image in college students. Comment by Xiaomei Cai: avoid stating your hypothesis. You can simply say you are interested in knowing about their Instagram usage and their thoughts on their body.

Instagram Usage

1. On a typical day, how often do you check Instagram (even if you are logged on all day)? (1 = not at all, 2 = once a day, 3 = every few hours, 4 = every hour, 5 = every 30 minutes, 6 = every 10 minutes, 7 = every 2 minutes)

2. Overall, how long do you spend on Facebook on a typical day? (1 = 5 minutes or less, 2 = 15 minutes, 3 = 30 minutes, 4 = 1 hour, 5 = 2 hours, 6 = 4 hours, 7 = 6 hours, 8 = 8 hours, 9 = 10 hours or more) Comment by Xiaomei Cai: why asking about Facebook?

you need to ask more questions about Instagram usage. It is not only about the number of time logging in. You should also ask about how much time they spend on it per visit. How often they post, how many people they follow, how many people follow them, what are popular categories of Instagram influencers they follow (cooking, body building, celebrity, sports, etc.)

Body Image

3. I am satisfied with my body. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree)

4. My body gives me confidence. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree)

5. I am physically unattractive. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree)

6. I feel positive when others tell me my body looks fine. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree)

7. My body makes me intimated by others. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree) Comment by Xiaomei Cai: ???

8. I want the “ideal”/perfect body. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree)

Are the above questions from a scale?

Self-Evaluation through Social Comparison

9. When using Instagram, I compare my physical appearance to the physical appearance of other users. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree)

10. When using Instagram, I compare my figure to the figures of other users. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree)

11. When using Instagram, I feel less attractive after comparing myself to other users. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree)

12. When using Instagram, I want to alter my appearance after viewing others’ posts. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree)

13. When using Instagram, I feel insecure about my body when comparing it to others. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree)

14. When using Instagram, I digitally alter or edit the photos I post so I look better. (1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = Strongly agree) Comment by Xiaomei Cai: This is a usage question.

References

Questions #1, 2, 9, and 10 are from a previous survey:

Fardouly, J., & Vartanian, L. R. (2015). Negative comparisons about one’s appearance mediate the relationship between Facebook usage and body image concerns. Body Image, 12, 82–88. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.10.004

Questions 3 - 8 (Body Image) are modified from the Adolescent Body Image Satisfaction Scale 

I like the questionnaire in general. I would suggest you add more questions on Instagram usage in order to link it to the body image perception.