1) What are we actually trying to find out?
We are trying to find out if the use of social media (eg. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) increases our knowledge of events happening in countries apart from our own (Singapore) faster as compared to local newspapers.
2) What data do we need to have?
3) Why do we need this data?
To investigate if the use of social media corresponds with the increase in knowledge of events happening around the world. If so, does this mean that social media is also a source of news, in addition to traditional newspapers or online newspapers?
Social media as a source of news includes:
4) How can we collect this data? What equipment is needed?
We will be able to collect this data through:
5) Equipments
Where will we collect this data?
What problems might we encounter? How could we overcome this?
We are trying to find out if the use of social media (eg. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) increases our knowledge of events happening in countries apart from our own (Singapore) faster as compared to local newspapers.
2) What data do we need to have?
- What types of social media platforms are there and how often do people use social media to spread news?
- What types of local newspapers are there and how often do they publish reports that relate to events in other countries?
- Statistics on how often Singaporeans use social media
- Statistics on how often Singaporeans read local newspapers (Through number sold)
- How often Singaporeans read about events in other countries in social media (eg. National Day, politics, art)
- Which newspaper companies (whether local or abroad) use social media to spread news
- Are Singaporeans more likely to view social media as a platform that provides news?
3) Why do we need this data?
To investigate if the use of social media corresponds with the increase in knowledge of events happening around the world. If so, does this mean that social media is also a source of news, in addition to traditional newspapers or online newspapers?
Social media as a source of news includes:
- Links on social media that lead to official/non-official websites that provide information about events around the world
- Posts/pictures that represent or give us information about events around the world whether directly or indirectly (e.g. Facebook gay pride)
4) How can we collect this data? What equipment is needed?
We will be able to collect this data through:
- Interviews on the street, to understand Singaporeans' perception of social media and whether Singaporeans view social media as a platform that provides news or not.
- Online surveys, to understand what Singaporeans consider to be social media and get a tally of what local newspapers they read. Also, to understand how often Singaporeans read about events in other countries in social media. All this will aid in helping us to further understand our secondary data.
5) Equipments
- Camera
- Notepad
- iPad
Where will we collect this data?
- Online surveys will be sent out to our school and posted on the Internet
- Street interviews will be carried out at major shopping malls and Mass Rapid Transportation stations
What problems might we encounter? How could we overcome this?
- People may reject our interview. However, we can interview other people.