This is a quantitative primary study into whether there is a link between social media usage and Islamophobic attitudes. This research was completed by asking university students to complete a likert scale questionnaire designed to attempt to measure their trust, gender oppression, fear and distance of Muslims. This data was then compared to their Facebook usage, to identify any link.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Literature review
3.1 Islamophobia
3.2 Social Media
4. Conclusion of literature review
5. Methodology
5.1 Philosophy
5.2 Method
5.3 Methodology
5.4 Design
5.5 Sample
5.6 Ethics
6. Results
6.1 Test One
6.2 Test Two
6.3 Test Three
6.4 Test Four
7. DISCUSSION
Research Objectives and Topics
This study aims to investigate whether there is a correlation between the frequency of Facebook usage and the formation or reinforcement of negative stereotypes regarding Muslims and the Islamic faith among university students. By employing a quantitative approach using Likert scale questionnaires, the research seeks to evaluate if social media acts as a catalyst for Islamophobic attitudes or if users are susceptible to emotional and belief-based manipulation through their news feeds.
- The role of social media as an online amplifier for hate speech and Islamophobic narratives.
- The influence of Facebook content on user perception, emotions, and personal beliefs.
- Quantitative assessment of attitudes towards Arab males and female Muslim oppression.
- The impact of institutional and media-driven stigmatization on public perception.
Extract from the Book
Introduction
Over the centuries many ethnic or religious groups have become subject to hatred and violence and vilification. At various times groups such as Germans, Roman Catholics, Jews and Western Indians have all fallen under this category (Githens-Mazer and Lambert, 2010). This category being, those who in some way, threaten the British identity. Today, this outcast role is occupied by British Muslims (Githens-Mazer and Lambert, 2010). The term Islamophobia has come under increasing scrutiny after the rise of Islamophobic hate crimes post 9/11, and the Paris attacks of 2015.With the increase of many terrorist attacks across the globe, targeting the western world, adding to the growing fear of Muslims (Zempi and Awan, 2016). Islamophobia has become an important emerging concept which relates to wider issues around not only radicalisation of other Muslims but also the ‘othering’ of Muslim communities (Zempi and Awan, 2016).
There is no universally agreed definition or interpretation of the term Islamophobia, however due to the dramatic rise in Anti-Muslim hate crime reported in England and Wales, it has become a topic for concern. Online hate speech and negativity towards Muslims has become an area of concern for the Police, The Crown Prosecution Service, Social Media providers and policy makers. This research aims to investigate social media’s role, if any, in this sharp increase of reported hate crime against Muslims. It has been suggested that the main cause of social discrimination against Muslims in the UK today is a consequence of Governmental policy often resulting from institutional Islamophobia (Ameli et al., 2004).
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: Provides an overview of the quantitative study design, focusing on the use of Likert questionnaires among university students to analyze the link between Facebook usage and the stereotyping of Muslims.
Introduction: Contextualizes the rise of Islamophobia in contemporary society, discussing its historical roots, its connection to post-9/11 events, and the perceived role of media in shaping public opinion.
Literature review: Critically analyzes existing academic discourse regarding Islamophobia, the portrayal of Muslims in media, and the psychological effects of social media consumption on user beliefs.
Islamophobia: Defines the term Islamophobia and explores the socio-political factors, including terrorist attacks and media representations, that contribute to negative perceptions of Muslims.
Social Media: Examines how social media platforms function as spaces for identity construction and information dissemination, highlighting the potential for viral content to foster division.
Conclusion of literature review: Summarizes the key findings of the literature, emphasizing the media's influence on public attitude and identifying the gaps necessitating this research.
Methodology: Details the objectivist ontological approach and the quantitative methodology employed, explaining the use of Likert scales and SPSS for statistical analysis.
Philosophy: Discusses the positivist philosophical stance taken by the study, justifying the use of statistical analysis to uncover universal trends in data.
Method: Describes the procedural framework of the research, focusing on the collection of primary data through questionnaires to test relationships between variables.
Methodology: Further clarifies the decision-making process behind the null hypothesis and the avoidance of research bias.
Design: Outlines the development of the questionnaire, addressing the complexities of measuring sensitive topics like stereotyping without inducing participant anxiety.
Sample: Explains the use of convenience sampling at the Grimsby Institute, detailing the demographics of the participants and acknowledging the study's limitations.
Ethics: Discusses the ethical considerations required for the study, including obtaining informed consent and ensuring participant anonymity in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
Results: Presents the findings from the four distinct tests conducted, detailing the Pearson’s chi-square test outcomes and the lack of statistically significant correlations.
Test One: Reports findings on the correlation between belief in Facebook information and trust in Arab males at public events.
Test Two: Details the analysis of participants' views on Muslim female oppression in relation to their trust in Facebook content.
Test Three: Examines the connection between Facebook exposure and feelings of safety when traveling to predominantly Arab countries.
Test Four: Analyzes the correlation between viewing Facebook as a positive platform and the stance on security measures for Arab males.
DISCUSSION: Critically evaluates the lack of significant findings, considering potential design flaws, sample limitations, and the changing landscape of social media moderation.
Keywords
Islamophobia, Facebook, Social Media, Stereotyping, Muslims, Quantitative Research, Likert Scale, Public Opinion, Media Effects, Hate Speech, Data Analysis, SPSS, Discrimination, Identity, Online Behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research investigates whether there is a measurable link between an individual's frequency of Facebook usage and their tendency to hold negative stereotypes about Muslims and the Islamic faith.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers Islamophobia, social media dynamics, media-influenced stereotyping, public perception of religious minorities, and the role of online platforms in shaping sociopolitical beliefs.
What is the ultimate objective of this study?
The primary goal is to evaluate if Facebook acts as an amplifier for negative attitudes toward Muslims by measuring associations between platform usage and specific stereotypical responses.
Which scientific methodology does the author use?
The author adopts a positivist, quantitative approach, utilizing Likert scale questionnaires and statistical tools such as SPSS, Chi-square tests, and Cramer’s V to analyze correlations.
What does the main body of the work address?
It addresses theoretical foundations in the literature review, the methodological framework, the design of the research instrument, and a statistical breakdown of four distinct tests comparing Facebook usage with perceptions of Muslims.
Which keywords characterize this dissertation?
Key terms include Islamophobia, social media, quantitative research, stereotyping, and media influence on public opinion.
How did the author handle the sensitivity of the topic?
The author designed the questionnaire to be sensitive, removing specific terms like "Muslim" or "fear" from the actual questions to minimize participant bias and ensure honest, socially uninfluenced responses.
Why did the study fail to find significant correlations?
The author suggests that the result may be due to a small, unvaried sample size (mostly female students) and the possibility that participants provided "socially acceptable" answers to avoid appearing prejudiced.
What is the significance of the "Test Four" results?
Test Four revealed that while participants generally do not believe Facebook information is accurate, they still perceive the platform as a valuable space for sharing opinions, highlighting a complex relationship between social media usage and trust.
- Citation du texte
- BA Hons Criminological studies with social sciences Susan Bailey (Auteur), 2018, Does Facebook usage influence the stereotyping of Muslims or the Islamic faith?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/446110
