UROP Project
Managing Social Media Use
social media, youth, self-regulation, social norms, social relationships
Research Mentor: Dr. or first name is okay, too. Vanessa Dennen, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology & Learning Systems, Education
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology & Learning Systems, Education
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
May be of greatest interest to psychology, communications, sociology.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday Sept 6 5:30-6 pm
Thursday Sept 7 12:00-12:30 pm
Same zoom link for both sessions: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
May be of greatest interest to psychology, communications, sociology.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday Sept 6 5:30-6 pm
Thursday Sept 7 12:00-12:30 pm
Same zoom link for both sessions: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Project Description
Social media simultaneously fascinates and overwhelms many people. In this study, we explore how people manage their social media use to minimize negative and maximize positive outcomes. This year the team will be analyzing previously collected data, with the opportunity to collect new data in the spring. Our data set consists of extensive interviews with young adults. We will use a combination of thematic analysis and epistemic network analysis, and all research assistants will be fully trained.Research Tasks: At minimum, you can expect to be involved in literature review, data coding, and data analysis. You will learn to use a variety of tools and techniques. Should we collect additional data in the spring, you will be involved in qualitative interviewing.
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.
I have worked with many UROP students over the years. Many have become collaborators on presentations at national conferences and some have published with me. The opportunity is there for you if you seek it. :)
Additional Information
The video link is for a presentation made by this research lab at an international conference in 2022 -- a brief glimpse at the foundational work for this project, which included UROP research assistants.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 and Slack.