Quantitative Research Article Critique

Quantitative Research Article Critique
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Quantitative Research Article Critique
Jiang, S., & Ngien, A. (2020). The Effects of Instagram Use, Social Comparison, and Self-Esteem on Social Anxiety: A survey study in Singapore. Social Media Society, 6(2), 2056305120912488.
Statement of the Problem
The research focuses on how the rampant use of social media leads to social comparisons, which affects the users’ self-esteem and increases their social anxiety. The study is based on the assertion that young people develop self-esteem issues when they see Instagram images of more beautiful people. They begin comparing themselves with these individuals and often develop an inferiority complex, which is emotionally less healthy. The study sought to answer the question of whether Instagram use affects individuals’ social anxiety. The authors hypothesize that Instagram use will have an indirect impact on social anxiety through social comparison and self-esteem. In their analysis, they argue that Instagram use does not directly increase social anxiety. Instead, the social comparison and self-esteem that result from the exposure are the main contributors to the anxiety.
Literature Review
The authors successfully draw from various studies on how Instagram use leads to social comparisons that affect the user’s self-esteem and eventually culminate in social anxiety. They utilize a variety of sources both new and old, to show how the topic has evolved over time. They classify the review into two paths, with the first path focusing on Instagram use, social comparison, and social anxiety, whereas the second path introduces the aspect of self-esteem in the analysis of Instagram use, social comparison, and social anxiety. They then use the two pathways to formulate the first and second hypotheses respectively. While the literature review does not sufficiently highlight the gaps in the assessed studies, the authors use them to appropriately justify their hypotheses.
Methods
The authors use a survey research design, in which they employ convenient sampling to choose the respondents. They then use snowballing to increase the sample size, where they end up with 388 participants. The convenience sampling approach used is mainly associated with a quick collection of data, cost effectiveness, and ease of access to the samples. Snowballing has several advantages in research: it is quicker, cost effective, and also helps to sample hesitant subjects. However, this approach also has some notable disadvantages: prone to sampling bias and creation of margin of error and lack...