http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/keyword/social-media Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Sun, 17 May 2026 17:56:05 -0400 Sun, 17 May 2026 17:56:05 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1962/#itsnotmyperiod-hashtag-activisms-challenge-to-narratives-of-menstrual-stigma By Jessie J. Liu - Perceptions of menstruation as a taboo subject have historically characterized Western and non-Western societies alike and persist today, both perpetuating harmful cultural understandings of women’s abilities and normalizing institutional practices that exacerbate gender disparities. With the advent of viral social media movements or “hashtag activism,” however, challenges to these oppressive, misogynistic mainstream narratives have become increasingly powerful. Centered on menstrual activism and dismantling menstrual stigma, #ItsNotMyPeriod is one such movement. This paper argues... Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:02 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1962/#itsnotmyperiod-hashtag-activisms-challenge-to-narratives-of-menstrual-stigma http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1822/trust-in-state-media-analyzing-the-chinese-communist-partys-changing-approach-to-public-opinion-and-media-censorship By Edward F. Xu - China’s rise as a global power has major implications for the future of free speech and media censorship both within and outside the People’s Republic. While there are numerous examples of the Chinese Communist Party employing blanket bans on accessing information, it also often frequently permits the presence of media unfavorable to the party due to the current state strategy of “public opinion guidance” that utilizes centrally commanded counter-narratives that delegitimize or undermine dissenters (Tai). I evaluated this approach and determined that it is crucial in fostering... Wed, 21 Oct 2020 07:51 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1822/trust-in-state-media-analyzing-the-chinese-communist-partys-changing-approach-to-public-opinion-and-media-censorship http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1771/hyperreality-and-the-consumption-of-the-subject-as-object-in-black-mirror By Megan Kirkwood - Jean Baudrillard’s essay ‘The Precession of Simulacra’ from Simulacra and Simulation (1981) is a key postmodern text to understanding the contemporary technological Western world. ‘The Precession of Simulacra’ explores Baudrillard’s central concepts of simulacra, simulation and hyperreality. Baudrillard argues that we now live in a world of signs, that ‘just about everything is a matter of signification, […] obviously connected with an explosive growth in media, but related also to changes in the conduct of everyday life’.[1] In ‘The... Wed, 09 Oct 2019 08:45 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1771/hyperreality-and-the-consumption-of-the-subject-as-object-in-black-mirror http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1468/new-media-adaptations-of-classic-literature-from-pride-and-prejudice-to-the-lizzie-bennet-diaries By Noelle M. Kozak - Pride and Prejudice, the work of nineteenth century novelist Jane Austen, has been celebrated for over two-hundred years since its first publication. It has been adapted, reinvented and re-imagined over and over again to the delight of both loyal readers and interested newcomers. One such adaptation is the new media sensation, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Developed as a web show, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries successfully honors important themes found in Pride and Prejudice, namely its strong female characters, to tell a story that remains true to Austen's roots while engaging a new generation of viewers... Wed, 26 Oct 2016 10:14 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1468/new-media-adaptations-of-classic-literature-from-pride-and-prejudice-to-the-lizzie-bennet-diaries http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1454/tweeting-2016-how-social-media-is-shaping-the-presidential-election By Matthew Das Sarma - Something seems different about 2016. Something many of us just can’t place our fingers on. Sure, The Donald looms disconcertingly over us, a threatening testament to American fear, but it’s not like he has transformed the political atmosphere all that much. Historically, politicians have spanned the whole spectrum of negativity and bigotry—anti-radical, anti-Catholic, anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Semitic, anti-foreigner, anti-Left, and anti-pretty-much-everything else. While former Republican candidate Ted Cruz and Republican nominee Donald Trump continue to echo this tradition... Mon, 26 Sep 2016 11:06 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1454/tweeting-2016-how-social-media-is-shaping-the-presidential-election http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1450/the-right-to-privacy-in-a-digital-age-reinterpreting-the-concept-of-personal-privacy By Alyssa M. Brumis - The right to privacy dates back farther than 1890, when Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis penned The Right to Privacy: “In the very early times, the law gave remedy only for physical interference with life and property, for trespasses vi et armis” [by force and arms] (Brandeis, 1890). However, in today’s society, privacy has become more complex than simply “physical interference.” The birth of the World Wide Web has created a new landscape for which current legal standards are inadequate. “The law’s struggle to conceptualize privacy has often stunted... Fri, 16 Sep 2016 08:53 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1450/the-right-to-privacy-in-a-digital-age-reinterpreting-the-concept-of-personal-privacy http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1475/yoga-on-instagram-disseminating-or-destroying-traditional-yogic-principles By Skyler Cowans - Today, more than 15 million Americans practice yoga, making the ancient Indian discipline synonymous with the Western society's culture of wellness. As a way to market themselves, practitioners and instructors of yoga have utilized Instagram – and its more than 300 million accounts – to virtually share their favorite poses, sequences, and yogic philosophies. This paper examines the popular culture of yoga on Instagram and how it relates to the ancient Indian traditions of which the practice was built upon. The study found that while some observed themes of yoga on Instagram reflected... Tue, 31 May 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1475/yoga-on-instagram-disseminating-or-destroying-traditional-yogic-principles http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1478/a-content-analysis-of-celebrity-instagram-posts-and-parasocial-interaction By Janabeth Ward - Instagram allows users to share a snapshot of their lives with a mass audience in a matter of seconds. This capability and power has not gone unnoticed by celebrities, who are highly aware of the impact their social media accounts have on fans and the relationships they create. The purpose of this study is to find fan engagement and the parasocial phenomenon in celebrities' Instagram activity. It analyzed 50 Instagram posts of three female singers—Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, and Ariana Grande—to find which categories of posts engage fans. It also investigated the parasocial phenomenon... Tue, 31 May 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1478/a-content-analysis-of-celebrity-instagram-posts-and-parasocial-interaction http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1379/the-loneliness-of-digital-devices-examining-removed-photo-series-by-eric-pickersgill By Nicole Litvan - Through her observations, Turkle found that “we [people] defend connectivity as a way to be close, even as we effectively hide from each other” (Turkle, 251). She shows that the growing reliance on technology, which aims to connect and bond individuals around the world, instead creates moments of disjunction and being “alone together” in social settings. In these cases, people are physically together in a home, restaurant, or building, but avoid intimate conversation and interaction because they are mentally in different electronic worlds, thousands of pixels away from... Fri, 18 Mar 2016 12:36 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1379/the-loneliness-of-digital-devices-examining-removed-photo-series-by-eric-pickersgill http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1364/instagram-and-branding-a-case-study-of-dunkin-donuts By Kally A. Lavoie - One of the newest social media tools available to brands is Instagram, a mobile app that allows users to capture and share images and videos with followers (Instagram, 2015). Officially launched in October 2010, Instagram gained 1 million users within its first month, and the app had 300 million active monthly users by April 2015 (Costill, 2014; Instagram, 2015). As a largely visual social media tool, Instagram allows businesses to reach consumers and strengthen its brand in new ways. This case study aimed to discover how Dunkin' Donuts used Instagram to strengthen their brand. This study analyzed... Thu, 18 Feb 2016 04:32 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1364/instagram-and-branding-a-case-study-of-dunkin-donuts http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1345/internet-freedom-rhetoric-versus-reality By Vaughan A. Holding - In the last few years the Internet has borne witness to and facilitated a great deal of social and societal change. From Hilary Clinton's positive 2010 address; ‘Remarks on Internet Freedom', to the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions that showcased the power of social media, the internet, its use and power, has been at the forefront of recent news.1 However, equal to, if not overtaking the positive and enabling factors of the Internet in recent years are the many controversies surrounding it. While undoubtedly carrying the potential to do great good, the Internet has been plagued with numerous... Sun, 31 Jan 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1345/internet-freedom-rhetoric-versus-reality http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1365/examining-social-media-and-digital-practices-among-southeastern-magazines By Jonathan Black - City magazines began to appear in American homes in the nineteenth century, but they did not truly flourish until the 1960s and 1970s. In 1981, there were eighteen magazines total in Washington, D.C., Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Today, there are twenty in North Carolina alone (Hayes). Like most print publications today, city magazines face a declining print product, a smaller editorial staff, and pressure for an increased digital presence. This transition has taken time, and the digital presence has slowly taken precedent and developed a steady audience. As... Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1365/examining-social-media-and-digital-practices-among-southeastern-magazines http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1104/effects-of-the-spiral-of-silence-in-digital-media By Alexander E. Hopkins - Since its introduction by German-born Political Scientist Elizabeth Noelle-Neumann in 1974, the Spiral of Silence theory has become one of the most-researched communication theories that explains public opinion formation in a media environment (McDonald, Glynn, Kim, & Ostman, 2001, p. 139). The Spiral of Silence attempts to explain how media consumption, interaction among key groups, and opinion expression all interact to form opinions in society. Over time, a "spiraling" effect will occur, in which a dominant opinion becomes more visible over one or more minority opinions. When initially... Fri, 04 Sep 2015 08:02 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1104/effects-of-the-spiral-of-silence-in-digital-media http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1131/instabranding-shaping-the-personalities-of-the-top-food-brands-on-instagram By Kate Ginsberg - Instagram is a growing social media platform that provides a means of self-expression and communication through creative visuals. Businesses are responding to this trend by using it as a cost-effective marketing tool. This paper examined the accounts of the leading food brands on Instagram: McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Shredz, Ben & Jerry’s, and Oreo. Photos were classified according to 11 elements: product, person and product, people and product, humor and product, world events, recipes, campaign with no products, user-generated, regram from a celebrity, and video. They were further... Sat, 30 May 2015 11:59 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1131/instabranding-shaping-the-personalities-of-the-top-food-brands-on-instagram http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1132/how-luxury-fashion-brands-utilize-youtube-to-engage-consumers-and-promote-brand-identity By Melissa Hanke - As the world becomes more technologically advanced, the demand for two-way communication between brand and consumer has become stronger. This study tried to develop a relationship between the rise in new media and luxury brands by content analyzing Chanel, Dior, and Burberry’s YouTube channels that aims to categorize their video content into the following three categories: musical performances, historical narratives, and behind-the-scenes footage. The study found that as social media becomes more prevalent in today’s society, these three luxury brands are steering away from brand advertisements... Sat, 30 May 2015 11:59 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1132/how-luxury-fashion-brands-utilize-youtube-to-engage-consumers-and-promote-brand-identity http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1134/the-impact-of-technology-on-music-stars-cultural-influence By Dean Shapero - This research paper addressed how technology has changed cultural relationships consumers have with music. The music industry’s business model has undergone substantial change over the last decade, and understanding artists’ cultural influence is critical in reevaluating their position in society. After a literature review tracking influence through the decades since the vinyl era, the author conducted a survey to determine how college students interact with music artists on Twitter and how they consume music. The results demonstrated high social connectivity of users to artists through... Sat, 30 May 2015 11:59 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1134/the-impact-of-technology-on-music-stars-cultural-influence http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1135/how-twitter-is-changing-narrative-storytelling-a-case-study-of-the-boston-marathon-bombings By Mary Kate Brogan - Understanding social media, an integral part of 21st century American life, is more important than ever. On the one-year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, it is clear that Twitter was a primary source of information for many Americans, despite the vast inaccuracies tweeted by trusted sources throughout the days following the attack. This case study based on content analysis found that 10 authoritative organizations, including five news organizations, provided news and feature stories through their tweets – sometimes at the expense of accuracy to be first on their stories.... Sat, 30 May 2015 11:59 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1135/how-twitter-is-changing-narrative-storytelling-a-case-study-of-the-boston-marathon-bombings http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1138/narcissism-and-social-networking-sites-the-act-of-taking-selfies By Taylor M. Wickel - This study focused on why the act of taking selfies and posting them to the Internet is a factor leading to an increase in narcissistic and selfish behaviors. This study examined whether the Millennial Generation believes the selfie phenomenon is a contributor to the rise in narcissism. A 12-item survey was administered to 93 female college participants. A single open-ended question asked whether respondents found their behavior in posting selfies to be narcissistic. This study found that 55% of participants agreed that posting of selfies to different social networking platforms encouraged their... Sat, 30 May 2015 11:59 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1138/narcissism-and-social-networking-sites-the-act-of-taking-selfies http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/990/e-electioneering-the-political-and-cultural-influence-of-social-media-in-the-2008-and-2012-presidential-elections By Rebecca Pineiro - Early in 2007, a junior senator with a thin legislative résumé but an inspiring background in community organizing approached a Facebook executive during the site’s period of exponential growth. That senator, later known as our 44th President, was gearing up to embark on his own professional expedition: his monumental campaign for the American presidency. Senator Obama had his own ideas for the network’s leap into politics and potential for growth. At this momentous juncture, Senator Barack Obama wondered if the network’s reach and usage could be used as a tool... Sat, 07 Feb 2015 04:19 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/990/e-electioneering-the-political-and-cultural-influence-of-social-media-in-the-2008-and-2012-presidential-elections http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/989/why-taking-the-white-house-online-does-not-make-it-more-accessible-to-the-public By Leah C. Campbell - Much has been said in regards to Barack Obama’s revolutionary use of technology during both his 2008 and 2012 campaigns for President of the United States. Yet, during his administration, that groundbreaking tactic suddenly disappeared. In 2013, with the launch of the We The People website, the Obama administration focused its efforts on reigniting that feeling of connection that powered two successful elections. The site was created as an update to the Office of Public Engagement, which had drawn criticism in past administrations for its ineffectiveness. While the website and corresponding... Sat, 07 Feb 2015 03:31 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/989/why-taking-the-white-house-online-does-not-make-it-more-accessible-to-the-public http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1040/how-christian-leaders-interact-with-twitter By Zachary Horner - This paper explores the relationship between Christian leaders and Twitter. Twitter’s founding resulted in an outburst in the use of the social media platform. Christian leaders quickly caught on, and today they use Twitter for a number of different purposes, seeking first and foremost to challenge and inspire their followers. Through the study of 30 different leaders’ tweets, as well as different blog posts, articles and interviews outlining different approaches to Twitter and other social media, the study concluded that pastors were most concerned with getting across the basic message... Sun, 30 Nov 2014 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1040/how-christian-leaders-interact-with-twitter http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/969/revolutionizing-the-newsroom-how-online-and-mobile-technologies-have-changed-broadcast-journalism By Nicole Chadwick - This study interviewed journalists across the United States in 2013 to find out how online and mobile technologies have changed television journalism in the past decade and what new technologies and trends they expect in the future. Interviews with thirteen television journalists indicate that web presence and mobile apps are getting more important in most cases; the use of others’ digital assets for both television broadcast and the web; use of the Internet and social networking to generate better stories; and an effort to reach out to younger audience. The results of this study also imply... Thu, 29 May 2014 06:36 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/969/revolutionizing-the-newsroom-how-online-and-mobile-technologies-have-changed-broadcast-journalism http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/973/big-apple-kickoff-vs-tipoff-a-twitter-analysis By Jordan Johnston - This paper examined the different Twitter strategies used by each of two NFL and NBA teams. The study examined the New York Jets, New York Giants, New York Knicks, and the Brooklyn Nets to analyze the tweets these organizations posted starting one week prior to the opening regular season games―and during those games. Tweets were classified into one of six categories: engagement, information, team statistics, advertisements, player involvement, and promotion and advertisements. Results showed clear differences in Twitter strategies between the teams: The NBA teams posted about twice as many tweets... Thu, 29 May 2014 06:36 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/973/big-apple-kickoff-vs-tipoff-a-twitter-analysis http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/974/a-content-analysis-of-twitter-use-factors-that-might-increase-music-sales-during-an-award-show By Kyrstin Wallach - Can Twitter be used in marketing an artist’s music during award shows? To answer this question, the author examined four artists at the 2013 MTV VMAs—Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, Drake, and Kanye West--who experienced a peak of references on Twitter during the show. Based on a content analysis of the tweets and secondary research, the study found that tweets converged toward the same topics, supporting Social Influence Network Theory. This study also found that the director’s filming directions during the award show might also influence the trends on social media during the... Thu, 29 May 2014 06:36 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/974/a-content-analysis-of-twitter-use-factors-that-might-increase-music-sales-during-an-award-show http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/835/coupons-of-the-21st-century-the-golden-age-of-the-daily-deal-industry By Kathleen Donnelly - Since its introduction in the late 1800s, coupons have transformed drastically to appeal to the changing needs and behaviors of the common consumer. Although still existing, the classic paper coupon went digital with the introduction of the Internet. Now, companies such as Groupon and LivingSocial offer discount gift certificates in a "deal-of-the-day" format. This research focused on the unique features of daily deal promotions and the impact they have on persuading consumers to purchase goods and services. Additionally, this research analyzed how Groupon and LivingSocial use social networking... Sat, 14 Dec 2013 11:17 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/835/coupons-of-the-21st-century-the-golden-age-of-the-daily-deal-industry http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/833/crisis-management-and-sports-in-the-age-of-social-media-a-case-study-analysis-of-the-tiger-woods-scandal By Blair Bernstein - Tiger Woods saw his reputation crumble as reports of infidelity leaked to the press in November of 2009. This research evaluated the crisis management strategies of Woods and his crisis management staff, as well as social media's role and reaction to the scandal. The eight press statements issued by Woods between November 29, 2009, and August 23, 2010, served as the primary documents for this case study analysis. Results found that mortification was the most frequently used crisis management strategy. Despite the criticism Woods received for his handling of the crisis, social media research indicates... Sat, 14 Dec 2013 10:54 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/833/crisis-management-and-sports-in-the-age-of-social-media-a-case-study-analysis-of-the-tiger-woods-scandal http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/830/the-invisible-become-visible-an-analysis-of-how-people-experiencing-homelessness-use-social-media By Mary Yost - This research examined how people experiencing homelessness use the social media platforms of blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Through 15 interviews at a day shelter in a central North Carolina city, the author discovered that people experiencing homelessness use Facebook for three main reasons: to remain connected with family and friends; to find support; and to share ideas in a safe space. This research conclude that homeless service providers should offer classes that teach their clients how to use social media websites. Also, people experiencing homelessness may be more likely to use... Fri, 13 Dec 2013 05:31 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/830/the-invisible-become-visible-an-analysis-of-how-people-experiencing-homelessness-use-social-media http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/829/facebook-pages-and-benefits-to-brands By Elizabeth E. Bushelow - Facebook fan pages allow a brand to create an online community of brand users through the social networking site. By pressing Facebook's "like" button, a Facebook user can become a fan of the page and can interact with the brand and other consumers. This research aimed to examine whether liking and interacting with a Facebook fan page has an effect on brand loyalty and purchase intentions, and Facebook fan pages create an online brand community. An analysis of 104 online survey responses indicates that interaction with fan pages is not a strong indicator of consumer brand loyalty or purchase intentions... Fri, 13 Dec 2013 04:44 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/829/facebook-pages-and-benefits-to-brands http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/822/constantly-connected-the-impact-of-social-media-and-the-advancement-in-technology-on-the-study-abroad-experience By Sarah Wooley - This study examined the impact of the advancement in technology and convenience of social media on the study abroad experience. It tried to determine whether smartphones and their ability to remotely access the Internet on the go positively or negatively affect the study abroad experience. The results indicated that the advancement of technology has positively impacted the abroad experience because of the convenience it offers users in communicating and finding information while on the go. However, the study found that the pervasiveness of the social media negatively affected the study abroad... Mon, 09 Dec 2013 12:05 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/822/constantly-connected-the-impact-of-social-media-and-the-advancement-in-technology-on-the-study-abroad-experience http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/786/social-media-and-politics-twitter-use-in-the-second-congressional-district-of-virginia By Julia Caplan - With social media recently evolving as a platform for social, informational, and political exchanges, it comes as no surprise that in the last few years several politicians have integrated Twitter into their campaigns. The goal of this study was to gain insight into how Republican Congressman Scott Rigell and Democratic candidate Paul Hirschbiel—candidates in the 2nd Congressional District of Virginia—cultivated Twitter to attract voters in the 2012 election. A content analysis of the characteristics and tactical strategies of these Twitter posts revealed that the two congressional... Fri, 15 Nov 2013 11:51 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/786/social-media-and-politics-twitter-use-in-the-second-congressional-district-of-virginia