[Air-L] University Student Dissertation Online Research Query

[Francesca Attard]

To whom it may concern,

My name is Francesca and I'm a 4th-year University student within the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences (University of Malta). Since it is my last year of studies, I am currently working on my dissertation. My supervisor kindly suggested the I contact the Academy of Internet Researchers (whom I have also become an official member) regarding the following query.

My dissertation research entitled Instagram and The Self: Exploitation or Empowerment? focuses on the portrayal of women on social media (my chosen social media platform is Instagram). My research is based on two specific media: women online as content creators (provocative images presented on Instagram by women as content creators – the why and the how) and the influence on women offline (how these images affect women in the real world - the psychological and emotional impact).

My query is about analyzing within my academic field of studies specific images of ten females posted on Instagram that are within the public domain on Instagram (and not private). The analysis will be set on a specific set of questions by using check-listed instruments from relevant literature and analytically observe their body image, their facial expression, and the photos’ aesthetic composition. I would like to make it clear that the images I intend to analyze are only for my academic research.



May I kindly ask for any recommendations given by the AOIR members

Thanks in advance.

Kind Regards,
Francesca Attard