Social Media Research - Interactive curriculae of TU Ilmenau

Students have a strong interest in psychology of digial media and psychology of technology and at least basic knowledge of social research methodology (study design, data collection, data analysis). Students have completed the course "Academic Skills in Communication Science".

After attending the seminar, students understand the relevance of psychology of digital media and psychology of technology for communication science. They know the current state of research of a selected field of psychology of digital media or psychology of technology. They understand the basics of a psychology-focused research process in communication science (professional competence).

After working on the bi-weekly research tasks, students know how to design and manage an empirical research process, prepare instruments of data collection and collect and analyze data. They are able to conduct more sophisticated research projects including all the main steps of the empirical research process on their own (methods competence).

After giving the presentation, students can present the results of their own psychology of digital media and psychology of technology research in oral form in an APA-compliant fashion (methods competence).

After writing the research report, students can present the results of their own psychology of digital media and psychology of technology research in written form in an APA-compliant fashion (methods competence).

After working on the bi-weekly research tasks, the presentation, and the research report, students can plan the time for a research task, motivate themselves to work on a research task, and assess the achievement of a research task (self-management competence).

The aim of the *module* is twofold: (1) Students look into the current state of a selected field of psychology of digital media or psychology of technology (e.g., health communication or sexuality-related communication on YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, or TikTok), and they (2) conduct their own empirical studies from start to finish. Relevant methods can be quantitative content analysis, interviews, surveys, and laboratory experiments (depending on the applicability). The research seminar prepares students for their Master thesis projects.

This module will be taught online. It can be studied entirely digital. It is therefore suitable for students enrolled in the regular and digital MCS (Media and Communication Science) program.

Moodle, Texts, Slides, Internet Links, Videos

Technical prerequisites:

• webcam (720p/HD),
• microphone,
• access to internet (at least 4 MBit/s for HD quality),
• computer that is powerful enough to run the web conference software (WebEx)

Literature list will be provided in the course of the module

• alternative semesterbegleitende Prüfungsleistung mit einer Wichtung von 50% (Prüfungsnummer: 2500601)
• alternative semesterbegleitende Prüfungsleistung mit einer Wichtung von 50% (Prüfungsnummer: 2500602)

Dieses Modul enthält mindestens eine alternative semesterbegleitende Abschlussleistung. Bitte beachten Sie, dass diese in der Regel schon zu Beginn des Semesters, in dem diese angeboten wird, angemeldet werden muss. Über die Details und Zeiträume dazu werden Sie vom Lehrenden und/oder dem Prüfungsamt informiert. Fragen Sie gegebenenfalls unbedingt beim Lehrenden nach.

This module contains at least one alternative exam part. Please note that this must usually be registered at the beginning of the semester in which it is offered. The lecturer and/or the examination office will inform you about the details and time periods. If necessary, be sure to ask the lecturer.

Enrollment in the course takes place by attending the first session. You will receive all further information during this session. Registration for the exam is done directly by the Examination Office based on the enrollment list.

• alternative semesterbegleitende Prüfungsleistung mit einer Wichtung von 50% (Prüfungsnummer: 2500601)
• alternative semesterbegleitende Prüfungsleistung mit einer Wichtung von 50% (Prüfungsnummer: 2500602)

Dieses Modul enthält mindestens eine alternative semesterbegleitende Abschlussleistung. Bitte beachten Sie, dass diese in der Regel schon zu Beginn des Semesters, in dem diese angeboten wird, angemeldet werden muss. Über die Details und Zeiträume dazu werden Sie vom Lehrenden und/oder dem Prüfungsamt informiert. Fragen Sie gegebenenfalls unbedingt beim Lehrenden nach.

This module contains at least one alternative exam part. Please note that this must usually be registered at the beginning of the semester in which it is offered. The lecturer and/or the examination office will inform you about the details and time periods. If necessary, be sure to ask the lecturer.

Enrollment in the course takes place by attending the first session. You will receive all further information during this session. Registration for the exam is done directly by the Examination Office based on the enrollment list.