Research Proposal

Jordan Teixeira
ENC 1102
30 January 2023
 The critical conversation that I plan
on joining this semester would be
how these apps could affect users
attention spans.

Critical Articles:

Conversation https://oakparktalon.org/15364/opinion/tiktok-is-shor
tening-our-attention-spans/#:~:text=Due%20to%20the
%20ever%2Dswiping,is%20between%2021%2D34%20
seconds
.

https://www.medindia.net/news/is-tiktok-affecting-ki
ds-attention-span-206637-1.htm

https://socialmediapsychology.eu/2022/08/18/tiktok-
is-killing-your-brain-right-now/
The Question

How do apps that provide shorts/reels, such as TikTok and or YouTube, impact
attention spans and draw users in?

I am choosing this genre based on my experience as a user with these apps. I understand this genre as
well through my usage and see it as easily accessible entertainment that gives the user constant
stimulation. It is interesting to learn about how writing/communication work in this way because it is a
popular topic that has interested me for some time. I hope to learn more about the tactics that
apps/websites like this use and what effects it could have on attention spans. Since I always find
myself sucked in by the constant array of shorts suited to me.
Research Method

The research method that I plan on using to gather primary research would be a
genre analysis of the features of the content provided in said reels. As well as an
autoethnography of my experience with the apps/reels.
 The main methods that I will be using in order
to collect data will be a analysis of the genre

Research Plan as mentioned before and an autoethnography

of my time with the apps. Genres that I plan to
collect are some of the shorts as well as
comments in order to make observations on
some of the features and user inputs.
 The genre I chose makes sense based on my
research question, since collecting some of
the shorts could provide me with examples of
the features that draw in and keep users
scrolling. Specific examples of the genre I will
be collecting are the short videos provided by
the apps, mostly known as reels/shorts, links

Research Plan
can be found below. These videos can be
accessed at anytime or anywhere with the use
of a smartphone. I will be looking for shorts
that differentiate and cover multiple areas of
Cont. interest.

Links:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRsLXDr1/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRsL4BXy/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRsLbrUf/
Selection Criteria Details

How and why did you choose the specific examples of genre or rhetoric you're going to
study, and why does that make sense based on your research questions?

I chose the specific examples of genre that I will be studying through the apps and
selecting different shorts that could appeal to different audiences in order to. It makes
sense based on my research question because by analyzing the features of the content
provided by the shorts that I chose I could look for trends and features that draw people in
for such long periods of time. Also, how these short entertaining videos could impact
attention spans due to the constant stimulation that comes with the usage of these apps.
 Week 5:

Feb 6 - 10: Planning research/annotated bibliography

Week 6:

Feb 13-14: Work on genre analysis, general ideas

Feb 15-19: Complete or be close to completing

analysis/beginning autoethnography

Week 7:

Timeline of Events Feb 20-21: Complete analysis if not complete

Feb 22-24: Plan out and began collecting data for

ethnography if not complete

Week 8:

Feb 27-Mar 3: Gather data through app usage for

ethnography
 Week 9:

Mar 6-10: Complete data collection for ethnography if

needed/start to draw observations

Timeline Week 10-11:

Mar 27-Apr 2: Make any changes and or improvement to

Cont. the primary research and overall paper before submission.