wk 4 ogl 540

Module 4: Writing Assignment: Research Questions or Hypotheses 

I will attach the resources for this assignment

Due Friday by 11:59pm 

 In Module 3, you wrote the introduction to your research project. For this assignment, you will write the research questions or hypotheses for the same topic from Module 3.

The  research question and hypothesis help to narrow or specify the purpose statement and provide direction for the research. Thus,  both the purpose statement and research question or hypothesis must align with the chosen approach and research topic.

Assignment Instructions

Craft one or two central questions followed by 3-5 secondary questions for a  qualitative OR  mixed methods study. Or

Write two sets of questions (descriptive and inferential)  or four sets of hypotheses for a  quantitative study.

Please Note: Depending on your approach, you will write research  questions ( qualitative and  mixed methods)  or research questions a nd/or  hypotheses ( quantitative). In many cases, you'll need only the hypotheses with the quantitative approach but please see the textbook for information on when it is appropriate to have both research questions AND hypotheses.

Chapters 6-7 of the textbook, Module 4 Lecture Notes, Module 4  PPT slides and the Module 4 video contain everything you need to know about the  components of great research questions and hypotheses. The PPT has  formats and examples for each of the three approaches: qualitative, quantitative and mixed method. I strongly encourage you to read these materials carefully before you begin the assignment.

Checklist:

When you have finished writing your research questions or hypotheses, please use this checklist to ensure that they  contain all the elements, which constitute the grading rubric.

· For a  qualitative study, do the research questions:

· Relate the central question to the strategy of inquiry?

· Begin with  what or  how (not  why)?

· Focus on a single phenomenon?

· Use exploratory verbs?

· Use nondirectional language?

· Use an open-ended format?

· Specify the participants and research site?

· For a  quantitative study:

· Do the descriptive questions describe responses to major variables?

· Do the inferential questions seek to compare groups or relate variables?

· Do the inferential questions follow from a theory?

· Are the variables positioned consistently from independent to dependent in the inferential questions?

· Do the hypotheses describe, related, compare variables?

· For a  mixed methods study, do the research questions:

· Indicate how the researcher will mix the two strands of the study (the procedures)?

· Convey the overall content intent of the study that calls for a mixed methods approach (the content)?

7

Research OGL 540

The Psychological Effects of Technology Addiction: An Introduction and Purpose Statement

Introduction

            Technology in the current digitalized world has become an integral part of everyday life, significantly influencing how people communicate with each other, earn a living, and interact with the environment. Smartphones, social media platforms, and new avenues for accessing information have never had so many outlets for creation, interaction, and search. In integrating technology into society, a dark phenomenon has emerged in the form of technology addiction and its resultant psychological outcomes. Technology addiction, with an emphasis on exercise-based use of digital devices and working platforms with behavior consequences, has quickly become an emerging issue in mental health that impacts different demographics, primarily adolescents and young adults (Lozano-Blasco et al., 2022). The research problem regards how excessive technology use gradually results in negative psychological consequences such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and social isolation, thus rendering a person devoid of well-being and functionality.

            Various aspects of technological addictions and their psychological effects have been studied for an extended time. According to Popescu et al. (2022), smartphone addiction during the COVID-19 period had a high impact on psychological functioning, the pathological use of technology increasing anxiety and depressive symptoms during the period of isolation. Likewise, Lebni et al. (2020) reported that 45.5% of university medical students are internet addicted, with these students facing significant gastrophysical disorders at a much higher rate than their non-addicted counterparts. Baloglu & Akin (2024) broadened the scope of this understanding as they viewed adolescent populations, revealing how psychologically vulnerable teenagers are from technology addiction because of this development-stage perspective, with an increasing lure toward digital entertainment and social validation. Another study by Agırkan (2023) explored underlying psychological mechanisms. It revealed a negative association between basic psychological need satisfaction and technology addiction, proposing that unmet psychological needs may heighten compulsive technology use. Cross-sectional studies of late have also supported these findings, Arayici et al. (2025) showing strong correlations between internet addiction, psychological well-being, and sleep quality among the adult population, while Archou et al. (2025) identified anxiety as being the chief psychological symptom stemming from smartphone addiction in nursing students.

            Despite this substantial body of research, several critical deficiencies remain in the literature. First, almost all research is aimed at particular demographic groups or individual technology platforms, making it difficult to generalize the results across different populations and types of technologies. Second, the subjective, i.e., lived experiences of people facing techno addiction, is another area that has not received enough research. In contrast, most of the research on the topic uses quantitative measures that generally fail to capture this condition's subtle emotional and psychological realities. Third, little research has been conducted to study the relationship between the personal meaning of construction processes and the development of technology addiction. This is especially considering the constructivist point of view that accepts that individual differences can exist in how people respond to or interpret their technology use patterns. Lastly, yet importantly, there is also a lack of consideration regarding how people view their technology addiction and the coping strategies they organically develop, which is an area promising powerful insights for interventions.

            This research fills those gaps by providing essential insights to various audiences. Mental health practitioners can better understand the psychosocial manifestations of technology addiction and, as such, facilitate better assessment and treatment protocols. Educational institutions can also develop suitable programs for prevention and support for students identified at risk. From a policymaking and technology-development perspective, this information will ensure more responsible digital environments and usage guidelines. Furthermore, whether it be individuals or families, they will get help from increased awareness and understanding of this addiction, thereby reducing stigma and encouraging them to seek help. This study may offer more expansive social implications over and above individual well-being. As technology continues to evolve and become incorporated into daily life, a better understanding of its psychological effects must be maintained to preserve the population's mental health and social functioning. The research is well-timed, especially for a post-pandemic society still dealing with increased digital exposure and the downside of long-term effects.

Purpose Statement

            This qualitative study aims to understand the lived experiences of technology addicts in dealing with problems related to how the genesis of habituated technology use, interspersed with psychological well-being, interpersonal relationships, and daily functioning, impacts the affected individuals. From semi-structured interviews using a constructivist worldview and approach, this research emphasizes getting to understand the personal meaning that may-be-interpreted-into-the-lives-of-affected-individuals regarding their technology use patterns, as well as the subjectively perceived psychological impact they associate with these approaches, to further the understanding of the mental health impacts of technology addiction and evidence-based interventions toward this emerging issue.

References

Agirkan, M. (2023). The Mediating Effect of Social Emotional Learning between Relationship on Basic Psychological Needs and Technology Addiction. Journal of Education in Science, Environment and Health, 9(4), 268–280. https://doi.org/10.55549/jeseh.1381065

Arayici, M. E., Arayici, S. G., Geyiktepe, O. E., & Simsek, H. (2025). Assessment of the Relationship Between Internet Addiction, Psychological Well-Being, and Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study Involving Adult Population. Behavioral Sciences, 15(3), 344–344. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030344

Archou, R., Ouadrhiri, M., Amazian, M., Mouhoute, N., Touil, D., Aalouane, R., & Amazian, K. (2025). The relationship between smartphone addiction and anxiety: a cross-sectional study among Moroccan nursing students. Pan African Medical Journal, 50. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2025.50.47.45274

Baloglu, H. T., & Akin, Z. C. (2024). A cross-sectional descriptive analysis of technology addiction in adolescents: associations with food addiction, emotional eating, and body weight status. Journal of Health Population and Nutrition, 43(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-024-00675-4

Lozano-Blasco, R., Robres, A. Q., & Sánchez, A. S. (2022). Internet addiction in young adults: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Computers in Human Behavior, 130(130), 107201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107201

Popescu, A.-M., Balica, R.-Ș., Lazăr, E., Bușu, V. O., & Vașcu, J.-E. (2022). Smartphone addiction risk, technology-related behaviors and attitudes, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.997253

Ziapour, A., Lebni, J., Toghroli, R., Abbas, J., NeJhaddadgar, N., Salahshoor, M., Mansourian, M., Gilan, H., Kianipour, N., Chaboksavar, F., & Azizi, S. (2020). A study of internet addiction and its effects on mental health: A study based on Iranian University StudentsA study of internet addiction and its effects on mental health: A study based on Iranian University Students. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 9(1), 205. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_148_20