Research Methods & Statistics

Instructions: 

In this activity, you will evaluate the trustworthiness and credibility of qualitative data using triangulation and member checking. Read the case study below and respond to the discussion prompts. 

Case Study: Social Media Use and Emotional Impact 

You are part of a research team studying the emotional impact of social media on teenagers. Data collected includes interviews, social media activity logs, and surveys. Initial findings suggest that teenagers experience anxiety related to social comparison and validation from likes and comments. 

Discussion Prompts: 

1. Triangulation 
   How would you apply data triangulation to improve the credibility of your findings? Which data sources (interviews, logs, surveys) would you cross-check, and why? 

2. Member Checking 
   How would you use member checking to verify if your findings reflect the participants' real experiences? 

3. Prolonged Engagement 
   Suggest a strategy for deepening your understanding of participants' interactions on social media to enhance the study’s credibility. 

• Post your response to each prompt (50-100 words). 

• Reply to at least one peer’s post with feedback or suggestions.