Question

Research Analysis Based on your readings from the textbook and lectures, answer the following questions regarding your research. Select a peer-reviewed empirical article. Read through method and measurement, and identify each measured variable according to the scale upon which it was measured, and explain why you chose that particular scale of measurement. What are the variables you will be using in your research project for this class? Describe each of them. What scale(s) of measurement are you using for each? Submission Details Please provide your answers in a 3- to 4-page Microsoft Word document.

Answer 1

Topic:

The selected artile is on the topic, 'The effects of Internet addiction in depression and self esteem among College students'

Methods:

The method used in this research was descriptive method.

Samples:

There were 408 students who were selected by cluster sampling method.

Scales:

The scales used in this study were Internet Addiction Test, Beck's Depression Inventory, Cooper Smith Self esteem Inventory.

Measurements:

The Internet Addiction Test consisted of 20 items, with a 5 point scale for each item ranging from '1' for 'Not at all' to '5' for 'Always'. The minimum score for this test is 20 and the maximum score is 100. The results were categorised in to Minimal users - scores between 20 to 39, Moderate users - scores between 40 to 69 and Excessive users - scores between 70 to 100.

Cooper Smith self esteem Scale consisted of 58 items, in which 8 were lie detectors. The 50 items wrere classified into 4 categories as, self esteem in general, with peers, with parents and in school. The respones were given points as either '0' or '1' with a minimum score of 0 to a maximum score of 50.

Beck's Depression Inventory consists ot 21 items, which had a 4 point scale from '0' meaning 'None' to '3' meaning 'Severe'. The minimum score for this test is 0 with a maximum score of 63.

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REVIEW:

I would also like to do a research on this topic, 'Internet Addiction' but I would like to focus on the variables like Depression and Loneliness among Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE:

- To find out the internet addiction among adolescents

- To find how much these adolescents are depressed due to internet addiction

- To find out how much these adolescents feel lonely due to internet addiction

RESEARCH DESIGN: Descriptive Research

SAMPLE:

My study would consist of 400 adolescents, out of which 200 would be girls and 200 would be boys.

SCALES:

I would use a Internet Addiction Test, Becks Depression Inventory and a UCLA Loneliness Scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TOOL:

The Internet Addiction Test consisted of 20 items, with a 5 point scale for each item ranging from '1' for 'Not at all' to '5' for 'Always'. The minimum score for this test is 20 and the maximum score is 100. The results were categorised in to Minimal users - scores between 20 to 39, Moderate users - scores between 40 to 69 and Excessive users - scores between 70 to 100.

Beck's Depression Inventory consists ot 21 items, which had a 4 point scale from '0' meaning 'None' to '3' meaning 'Severe'. The minimum score for this test is 0 with a maximum score of 63.

UCLA Loneliness Scale consists of 20 items, in which each item has a 4 point scoring ranging from '0' for 'Never' to '3' for 'Often'. Thus the minimum score for this scale is 0 to a maximum score of 60.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIABLE:

Internet Addiction is quoted as a disorder in the DSM IV. If a person fulfils any 5 of the 8 criteria, he is diagnosed to have Internet Addiction Disorder.

1. Preoccupation with the Internet;
2. A need for increased time spent online to achieve the same amount of satisfaction;
3. Repeated efforts to curtail Internet use;
4. Irritability, depression, or mood lability when Internet use is limited;
5. Staying online longer than anticipated;
6. Putting a job or relationship in jeopardy to use the Internet;
7. Lying to others about how much time is spent online; and
8. Using the Internet as a means of regulating mood

In recent years, the amount of time that people spend on internet has drastically increased that lead to addiction that has also become a disorder now a days. Compared to others, adolescents are more prone to internet addiction, where they spend ample time in using internet by means of social networks, playing games, watching videos, etc. This results in a condition where they begin to avoid others, spend time alone, not sharing their feeling with others and develop problems in interpersonal relationships and have poor performance in academics also.

Depression is a state that is characterised by feelings of low and sad mood. The person may not have any interest in doing things, not even their day to day activities, and often feels unhappy. This may lead to problems in their interpersonal relationships, significant impairment in their functioning such as in school or work.

Loneliness is a state of being alone, and not interacting or communicating with others. In such a state, the individuals often do not enjoy others company and they even feel lonely if people are around them. They even try to avoid others and restrain themseves from being with other people.

These are the possible effects of internet addiction that I would like to find out through my research study. All the above stated problems may lead to both physical and psychological harm to the people. So it is high time that we must become aware of it and take necessary steps to control it.