UROP Project
social media, youth, algorithms
Research Mentor: Dr. Vanessa Dennen, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Ms. Idam Kim
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Ms. Idam Kim
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday Sept 3 / 12-12:30
Wednesday Sept 4 / 2:30-3
Apologies - I had to cancel the Friday sessions that I had previously planned BUT I have made a recording:
https://bit.ly/UROP2024
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday Sept 3 / 12-12:30
Wednesday Sept 4 / 2:30-3
Apologies - I had to cancel the Friday sessions that I had previously planned BUT I have made a recording:
https://bit.ly/UROP2024
Project Description
What does your social media algorithm look like? And what do you do to develop and maintain it? In this project, we examine how people envision the algorithms that influence their social media use along with the effects of these algorithms on their behaviors and opportunities. Our team will be actively collecting data this school year using a survey and interviews.Research Tasks: At a minimum, you can expect to be involved in systematic literature review, data processing, and data coding. You will have the opportunity to be involved in qualitative interviewing and light statistical analysis. You will learn to use a variety of tools and techniques.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are needed.
We will train you on all research-specific skills.
Students need to complete CITI training (“FSU Faculty, Staff, and Students” Social/Behavioral) before beginning any work.
Mentoring Philosophy
UROP offers a great opportunity for students to have early research experiences. I apply the cognitive apprenticeship model in my research teams, in which my UROP mentees are full members of the research team. As cognitive apprentices, you get to see all parts of the research process, contribute your own insights along the way, and gradually gain responsibilities as you learn how to perform different research tasks. I have high expectations for our research outcomes, and will train and support you to meet them. I will also seek ways to help you work toward your long-term educational and professional goals.Above all else, I believe in kindness, respect, and lifelong learning, and aim to foster a research environment that supports these ideals.
Additional Information
Work on this project is, by default, remote, but there is the opportunity to have in-person meetings for people who prefer that type of interaction.Typically we schedule meetings every 1-2 weeks, and between meetings everyone has tasks that they work on. During meetings we share the outcomes of our prior tasks, learn new skills, and determine next tasks. Between meetings we typically communicate via email, GroupMe, and MS Teams.