This document provides details for a group sociological research project examining the evolution of technology and its effects on human interactions and communications. It outlines the topic, goals of the study, and methodology. The study aims to discover how interactions between humans have changed with the rise of internet and electronic technology. It will use network ethnography, which allows observation of multiple online networks without limitations of traditional field sites. Follow-up interviews will also be conducted. The document discusses previous related studies and methodology used. It proposes examining how daily smart phone use impacts human relationships through texting, social media, privacy, and time spent on devices. The group will survey 500 smart phone users aged 16-46 and conduct detailed interviews. References several credible sources to

1. Sociological Research Methods – Group Research Project
The Evolution in Technology and Humans
Professor: Tracy Andrew Supruniuk
Course Code: AS/SOCI 2030M
Student Names: Dominic Fung
Student Numbers: and 212907663
Date: May 5th, 2015
Literature Review
Since the introduction of electronic devices, the world has
shifted into a new technological era with great assistance from
the development of the internet. The technology then became
more portable and commercial, which made the mechanisms
more accessible, affordable and evidently more desirable. The
popularity of these internet associated devices rose quickly and
still continue to rise, as it becomes the norm for individuals to
own at least one electronic device. The purpose of these devices
it to assist with an individual’s daily task along with many more
possibilities, and because of its influential power, questions like
how it affected with the development of humans in the modern
era begin to surface.
The purpose of this study is to discover how the
interactions and communications between humans have evolved
since the involvement of internet and electronic technology.
This topic has peaked interest of many researchers, and popular
themes concerning the topic includes relationships and intimacy
between individuals via the internet from computers and
phones. Some previous research that has been chosen to be used
as references all follow along a similar pattern, regarding the
sample size and diversity, methodology, and theoretical
influences.

2. One method that is popular to the researchers in the field
of sociology is known as Ethnography, which is “the systematic
description of human behaviour and organizational culture
based on first-hand observation” (Howard, 2002, p.553). But
because of the new technological advancement, using such a
traditional procedure may be unable to fully analyze the subject.
One research decided to adapt to the technologic subject and
develop a different form of Ethnography to accommodate any
flaws the tradition method had; the new methodology is called
Network Ethnography.
Network ethnography involves with passive or active
observation, extended immersion, and in-depth interviews,
following the processes of ethnographical research methods.
The contribution Network ethnography provides is that it does
not limit the researcher into choosing territorial field sites, but
also has the opportunity to select multiple social networks as
field sites.
Another reason why they believe Network Ethnography is a
valid method of examining social behaviour and different
technological mediums is that a researcher can manage sample
bias whether it be extreme, snowball or any other sampling
method. The reason being is that “snowball sampling for
example, does not allow the researcher to control the direction
of sample growth, but social network analysis will identify
some of the most significant informants in the network
(Howard, 2002 pg 562).” Researchers can use the initial
ethnographic and social network analysis to improve their
question and inquiry for a more in-depth research via interviews
or surveys, gathering more significant information.
In one of the research articles, it attempted to explore and
analyze the consequences behind the introduction and
implement of computers and the internet and the effects,
concentrating in older adults. Multiple mixed methods were
used within this study, resulting in a 2 phase plan. The main
theory the study followed was the “used life course theory...
which focuses specifically on ways in which computers can

3. facilitate communication among the older population as they
progress through the normative again events and patterns of the
life course” (Beckenhauer, 2009 p. 826). The two main
questions the research will attempt to answer is “How do
normative processes of aging affect communication patterns
among older adults?” and “What effects will computer
ownership have on communication patterns of older adults?”
(Beckenhauer, 2009 p. 826).
Phase I involves “participants aged 60 years and older in a city
of 100,000 people were solicited from two purposefully
selected, well-educated populations: a university
cultural/educational organization and a teacher-retirement
center” (Beckenhauer, 2009 p. 827) with 66 Participants that
indicated on the quantative Demographic Questionnaire:
Normative Aging and Communication (DQNAC) (Beckenhauer,
2009 p. 827) with only 40 participants that stated they own
computers, and Phase II consists 20 out of the 40 participants
who fully committed to an arranged interview within a 3-week
period.
In Phase II the objective of the interview was to discover their
communication patterns and any changes over the past 10 years.
The interview consists of 5 semistructured, open-ended
questions and lasted half an hour long.
Proposal
IF YOU CAN TYPE UP AN INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
OR TWO LIKE I HAVE DONE ABOVE IN THE LITERATURE

4. REVIEW THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
The main method chosen to explore around this topic
was “Network Ethnography” which was mentioned in one of the
research journals Network ethnography and the hypermedia
organization: New media, new organizations, new methods. The
reason why this methodology was is because the focus and the
quality of information that will be gathered can vary and
significantly alter results if using other methods such as surveys
or experimental methods. Network Ethnography will be
especially successful in researching the connection between
human communication and the internet because it will allow the
researchers the ability to have firsthand observation from
multiple medium without limitations traditional methods
possess. This allows the researchers to choose the sample to
specific details and relevant to the study rather than randomly
selecting participants for the research. The article claims that
the purpose of various field sites, identifying several significant
events is that the information gathered is not diminished and
diluted, but it can provide a more contextual, detailed analysis
(Howard, 2002). If a method such as a survey was used to
analyze the correlation of the subject, the data gathered would
be vague and possibly false.
Along with Network Ethnography, follow up interviews
would be arranged and conducted with participants in order to
gain more information and validity in content. Alike the
research conducted in the article Exploring relationships
between normative aging, technology, and communication, an
interview would be organized to discover how the internet and
technological devices affected the participant’s interaction with
society.
The purpose of this study will be to discover how the
use of modern technology such as smart phones (that are easily
connected to the internet) on a daily basis have had the human
relations affected. Interactions and communications between

5. humans have evolved from face to face to “cell to cell” or
“laptop to laptop”. Popular theories include people are being
negatively affected by technology regarding human
relationships and intimacy between individuals via the internet
from computers and phones.
THIS IS ALL I HAVE FOR NOW, CAUSE I CANT REALLY
ADD ANYTHING ON UNTIL WE COMBINE OUR PARTS
TOGETHER. TRY YOUR BEST TO ANSWER SOME OF THE
QUESTIONS SUCH AS OUR HYPOTHESIS, SAMPLE SIZE
ETC.
Participants will be 500 smart phone users aged from 16-46
randomly selected from popular social networking sites within
North America. The questionnaires would contain 5 questions
regarding the affect of smart phones on their social life and
human relations. Participants who are willing to participate
further into the research with be given detailed interviews.
The method of using mobile phones for research have
became a proven new way of sociological research sampling.
Parents and the children from 11 families in UK have
participated in a research that used mobile smart phones to
gather information from their text messages, photo albums and
social media sites to get a detailed observation of the children’s
life experiences and served as a productive and detailed data
collecting tool. (Plowman,2012)
The CNN reports that 269.9 million smart phones were
purchased internationally in 2010 and that in 2011 a half a
billion smart phones may be purchase world wide. (Lane,2011)
Some of the questions we will be asking in this study are : How
many hours do you spend on your smart phone per day? Do you
talk to your friends and family through text and social media
more than you do face - to - face? Do you think you will be
spending more time talking to people close to you face-to-face
if there were no smart phones?
At social gatherings nowadays, friends and families
sit down and stare at their smart phones to catch up with the

6. news and events posted by others on their favorite social
media. The technology is convenient , allowing people to
constantly stay in touch, but can also hurt our social relations.
It stops people from talking face-to-face even when they are
right next to each other. They are a invasion of privacy,
constant distraction from games and apps, and time consuming.
Our research will act as a warning to people today and
encourage people to meet face to face more compared to
communicating online only.
Reference
Beckenhauer, J. I. L., & Armstrong, J. (2009). Exploring
relationships between normative aging, technology, and
communication. Marriage & Family Review, 45(6-8),
Howard, P. (2002). Network ethnography and the hypermedia
organization: New media, new organizations, new
methods. New Media & Society, 4(4), 550-574.
Chris Manner,Wilburn Lane (2011) The Impact of Personality
Traits on Smart phone Ownership and Use International
International Journal of Business and Social Science
vol.2.No.17
Lydia Plowman, Olivia Stevenson (2012) Using mobile phone
diaries to explore children’s everyday lives. Childhood
19(4)539-553
Scenario:

7. Using the environmental incident you identified in Unit 2,
Discussion Board Topic 2, you are the project manager
responsible for correcting or rectifying the environmental
damage. Complete the following items for your Assignment:
1. Prepare a stakeholder analysis. (Approximately 100 words for
each stakeholder) Items that could be considered for each
stakeholder:
· State the stakeholder's name and role.
· How important is this stakeholder (high, med, or low)?
· What do you want from this stakeholder?
· What is important to the stakeholder?
· How could the stakeholder block your efforts?
· What is your strategy to enhancing stakeholder support?
2. Prepare a project charter. (3-4 pages, not including a title
page and reference page) A project charter template is provided
for your use.
Project Assumptions:
You may have as many imaginary team members with amazing
skills as you want on your project team as long as you do all the
real work.
ID: EM620-02-09-01-ASGN-R
Project CharterDate
Project Title:
Project Start Date: Projected Finish Date:
Budget Information:
Project Manager: Name, phone, e-mail
Project Objectives:
Success Criteria:

8. Approach:
Roles and Responsibilities
Name and Signature
Role
Position
Contact Information
Comments: (Handwritten or typed comments from above
stakeholders, if applicable)

9. Directions for Submitting Your Assignment
Compose your project in Microsoft Word and save your
document in the following format: Last name First name
Assignment. (Example: SmithJohn_Unit3_Project). Submit your
Assignment by selecting the Unit 3: Assignment Dropbox by the
end of Unit 3.
In addition to fulfilling the specifics of the Assignment, a
successful presentation must also meet the following criteria:
· Length should be 3–5 pages, excluding cover page and
references page.
· Viewpoint and purpose should be clearly established and
sustained.
· Assignment should follow the conventions of Standard
American English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.).
· Writing should be well ordered, logical, and unified, as well
as original and insightful.
· Your work should display superior content, organization,
style, and mechanics.
· Appropriate citation style should be followed.
You should also make sure to:
· Include a title page with full name, class name, section
number, and date.
· Include an introductory and concluding paragraph and
demonstrate college-level communication through the
composition of original materials in Standard American English.
· Use double-space and Arial or Times New Roman in 12 point
font size.
· Use examples to support your discussion.
· Cite all sources on a separate reference page at the end of your

10. paper and cited within the body of your paper using APA
format.
ID: EM620-02-09-03-ASGN-REFERENCE
Resources
Checklist for the Unit 3 Project-Develop Project Charter
Criteria: Ask yourself the following questions.
Not Yet
Yes
Content
Did you prepare a stakeholder analysis?
Did you prepare a project charter?
Research
Is your research current?
Did you use at least two credible sources beyond the text
material and validate those resources credibility?
Did you demonstrate the ability to retrieve documents through
advanced searches, refine search strategies, and explain
strategies used to refine the search?

11. Did you discuss all the required areas in a substantive manner?
Did you use appropriate reference material to support major
statements?
Quality
Is your content complete enough to address the topic and
questions?
Is there a logical flow to your ideas?
Did you present the material in a clear and concise manner to
provide easy readability?
Format
Did you prepare your project as a Microsoft Word document?
Did you label your file correctly?

12. Did you use APA format to cite your sources?
Did you check your document for grammar and spelling?
Did your meet the projects length requirements ( 3-5 pages)?
ID: EM620-02-09-02-ASGN-R
I am changing my topic to water contamination in Texas caused
by methane. This incident occurred in 2012, but was published
in 2014 by Newsweek. A family discovered a buildup of
methane in a well near their home that bubbled like champagne.
This is believed to be caused by hydraulic fracturing from a
nearby company. Water contamination is a major issue in many
states. My role will be one of the government officials with the
EPA issuing orders against the parties responsible. Others
involved will include local officials and other residents in the
immediate area.
Schlanger, Z. (2014, September 15). Fracking wells tainting
drinking water in Texas and Pennsylvania, Study Finds.
Retrieved from http://www.newsweek.com/fracking-wells-
tainting-drinking-water-texas-and-pennsylvania-study-finds-
270735
This is the topic I chose for this assignment! Build the paper
around this…..

13. I need this by the 10th of May, no later than the 11th.
Hello group group members.
So we agreed that our topic of study is "Technology and the
effects upon Human Interaction."
Because of the multiple devices, gadgets and what not, we
decided to narrow "Technology" into a single medium; which is
"Smart Phones."
To have a more qualitative analysis on the topic, we chose to
look at the following regarding Smart Phones:
-Text messages
-Social Media + Game Apps
-Privacy
-Time Usage
When thinking of Human Interaction, we decided to concentrate
on the relationship between Individual with Family, Friends,
and Significant Other; leaving out interactions with strangers
"unless necessary information is discovered."
Let us find scholarly journals and articles relevant to the
suggested points above, as well as studies revolving around the
"Social Anxiety" caused by Smart Phones, along with conflicts
(such as privacy, the ease of use, etc).
Note: If possible, find valid statistics regarding Smart Phones
and Human Relationships. An example is "The divorce rate vs.

14. Smart Phone."