Method of Research
The authors' research method in the objectifying fitness study was based on analyzing images and texts found in #fitspiration on social media to identify the shared content and reveal the hidden meaning within the messages of the hashtag posts. The images were identified, analyzed, and reported by two lead authors who worked collaboratively with a research assistant. Their research was conducted using two methods; one that was aimed to identify the types of images formed while the other sought to explore the messages contained within the image.
The first method included quantitative content analysis, where they identified the common imagery that featured in #fitspiration. They used a data-driven approach in which decisions made were based on the imagery featured in the hashtag. The common types of content found in the #fitspiration were first identified, which for this case, they were people ( Deighton-Smith & Bell, 2018) . The researchers then found out how people were presented in the hashtag and finally examined gender differences in the images, including bodily characteristic analysis. The second method used qualitative methodology to explore the messages embedded within the hashtag, which was more of a data-informed strategy. The hashtag messages were first identified and then related to how they seek to inspire fitness in others.
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Similar Method
Method 2 is similar to the content analysis research method because it analyzes qualitative data, which is then transformed into quantitative data then analyzed using coding units. According to BDP (2020), the content analysis method can be used to study a specific aspect of culture. In our case, method 2 involved looking at the textual messages from the #fitspiration posts, which enabled the researchers to study body fitness culture in different populations. At some point, this study enabled behavioral prediction in a particular community.
Limitations
Even though the study was a success, the research had limitations. The research was inherently reductive, mainly when complex textual texts are involved, making it too time-consuming. It was also exposed to enlarged error, mainly when the relational analysis is used to achieve a higher interpretation level.
References
BDP. (2020). Research Methods Used in Psychology . Retrieved from Best Degree Programs. https://www.bestdegreeprograms.org/lists/5-research-methods-used-in-psychology/
Deighton-Smith, N., & Bell, B. T. (2018). Objectifying fitness: A content and thematic analysis of #fitspiration images on social media. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 7(4), 467–483.
