Chapter 1- Introduction

(1st paragraph) Introduction

- Provide an overview of the background of the study or field of study.

- Clarify the present circumstances and explain the importance or why this topic is
relevant or significant in that context.

Example:

The advent of social media has not only revolutionized communication but also
brought significant implications for criminal behavior and gang activity. As these
digital platforms become ubiquitous, their influence extends into the dynamics of
youth interactions and, consequently, the sphere of criminology (Smith, 2021).
The glamorization of gang culture on social media has been identified as a
potentially contributing factor to the rise in youth gang involvement (Doe & Black,
2020). The significance of this issue is underlined by the growing necessity to
comprehend and address the digital dimensions of gang affiliation to inform
prevention and intervention strategies effectively (White & Gorman, 2022).

(2nd paragraph) Emphasizing the Issue

- Clearly pinpoint the particular challenge or concern that the research intends to
discuss.
- Please elaborate on the issue's significance outlining why it requires resolution or
exploration. And why there are needs to be solved or investigated.

Example:

The concern of social media serving as a fertile ground for gang

communication, organization, and recruitment is multifaceted. Studies have
indicated a troubling trend where social media platforms facilitate the spread of
gang culture beyond traditional territorial limits, captivating youths with a skewed
representation of gang life (Miller & Brown, 2019). This digital influence on youth
gang involvement has direct implications for public safety, necessitating an
exploration into the mechanisms of social media that could potentially escalate
gang-related activities (Johnson, 2021).

(3rd paragraph) Discuss the Existing Research and Knowledge Gap in an International
setting

- Identify gaps/ problems in the research study that will aim to fill or explore.
- Describe how your research will expand upon or differ from existing research.
 Example:

Despite some attention to online behavior among youths, research that

converges on the interplay between social media and gang involvement remains
nascent (Lee, 2020). Most studies have not sufficiently considered the cultural
variations in social media use and its divergent effects on gang behaviors across
different countries (Khan & Singh, 2022). Addressing this void, the present study
will undertake a comparative analysis of social media's influence on gang
activities globally, aiming to enrich the understanding of these phenomena
across varied sociocultural landscapes (Rodriguez et al., 2023).

(4th paragraph) Discuss the Existing Research and Knowledge Gap in a National
Setting
- Identify gaps/ problems in the research study that will aim to fill or discover.
- Describe how the research will expand upon or differ from existing research.

Example:

The discourse around social media's relationship with youth gang involvement
is often subsumed under broader cybercrime and online safety conversations.
Specific national research into the intersection of social media and gang activities
is disproportionately sparse, with a particular dearth of focus on the nuances of
recruitment and the perpetuation of gang identity (Thompson & Grant, 2022).
This study proposes to fill this critical gap, shedding light on the unique features
of this relationship within the national context and offering comparative insights
into international data (Williams & Patel, 2021).

(5th/ closing paragraph) Discuss the Existing Research and Knowledge Gap in
Local Observation Setting

- Identify gaps/ problems in the research study that will aim to fill or investigate.
- Describe how the research topic will expand upon or differ from existing
research.
- Deliberate the Importance and Significance of the study. This might encompass
the real-world concerns of the study, such as how it could be advantageous to
particular communities, shape policies, or offer insights for practical applications,
as well as its scholarly significance, such as its contribution to the existing body
of knowledge or its potential to spark subsequent research endeavors.

Example:

The in-depth understanding of how social media intersects with youth gang
involvement within individual communities is often overlooked (Green, 2022).
This study will aim to fill this research gap by examining local case studies to
 reveal recruitment tactics, symbolic interactions on social media, and peer
influences that contribute to the youth's entanglement with gang culture (Davis,
2023). The importance of this local focus lies in its potential to inform targeted
community interventions and to enrich prevention strategies, thus bearing
significant real-world implications for policy, law enforcement, and educational
outreach (Brown & Larson, 2023). Scholarly, it promises to contribute a nuanced
perspective to the body of criminological literature and to initiate further research
into the evolving digital dimensions of criminal affiliation and prevention (Murphy
& Gomez, 2021).

(Support Each Paragraph with Citation/s. Use Transitional Devices for the
Coherence of Ideas. Minimum of at least 2 Pages and ½ for Introduction)

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

- This is where the researchers provide a theory/theories that are relevant to the
investigation of the present study. Discuss the relevance of each variable in the
study.
- Opening prompts will discuss the assumption/s of the study and theory
anchored to the study with the proponent and year of the theory. (One or two
main theories)
- Introduction/1st and 2nd paragraph discusses the main theory/ theories
relevance to the research topic.
- Provide an introduction to the theoretical framework used in the study. Justify the
theory/theories and explain why these theory/theories is/are the most appropriate
for the study.
- Discuss how this theoretical framework can shed new light on the research
problem.

- 3rd to 5th paragraphs discusses the variable/s in the study. Discuss the key
principles, and explain how the variables are essential and relatable to the
research problem and its connection to the main theory.
(1 paragraph of discussions for each study variable)

- Conclusion (Last paragraph): Conclude by summarizing the main points of the

theoretical framework and reiterate its significance for your research or sum-up of
the study.

Example:

The conceptual bedrock of this study is constructed upon two main theories: the
Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura (1977) and the Routine Activity Theory
proposed by Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson (1979). These theoretical
lenses offer invaluable insights into understanding the nuanced interplay
between social media usage and youth gang involvement, forming the
assumptions that youth behavior is significantly influenced by observed models
and that the convergence of motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the
absence of capable guardianship can predict criminal events.

Introduction/1st and 2nd paragraphs:

Social Learning Theory posits that individuals can learn behavior, including
deviant behavior, through the observation of others, especially if those behaviors
are seen to result in rewarding outcomes (Bandura, 1977). In the digital age,
social media platforms serve as expansive stages for observational learning,
where youths can witness and potentially emulate gang-related behaviors. This
theoretical perspective is particularly pertinent to the study as it elucidates how
virtual interactions could translate into real-world gang involvement. It justifies the
exploration of social media's role as a contemporary socializing agent, promoting
behaviors through mechanisms of attention, retention, reproduction, and
motivation as core components of Bandura's framework.
Routine Activity Theory provides another critical viewpoint, suggesting that the
likelihood of a criminal act is heightened by the daily, routine activities that
individuals engage in, which subsequently shapes the opportunity structure for
crime (Cohen & Felson, 1979). In the context of social media, these platforms
may inadvertently create opportunities for routine activities that bring potential
gang recruits (targets) into contact with gang members (motivated offenders),
often in the absence of supervision (lack of capable guardians). Thus, this theory
underscores the importance of examining the patterns of online interaction that
could facilitate gang-related activities.

3rd to 5th paragraphs (Variable Discussions):

The first variable, exposure to gang-related content on social media, is central
to Social Learning Theory. This study will investigate how the frequency and
intensity of such exposure may correlate with an increased propensity for gang
affiliation among youths. The principles of attention and retention are crucial
here, as youths who give more attention to gang-related content and retain the
observed information may be more inclined to consider gang involvement
attractive or viable.
The second variable, engagement with social media content, relates directly to
the reproduction aspect of Social Learning Theory. This variable examines not
only the passive consumption of content but also the active interaction, such as
sharing, commenting, and posting, which could be indicative of a deeper
processing of observed behaviors and potentially a higher likelihood of real-life
replication.
The third variable, online socialization, and peer networks, ties into both Social
Learning Theory and Routine Activity Theory. It scrutinizes the social aspect of
 learning and the online routines that might bring youth into contact with gangs.
This variable assesses how virtual peer networks can influence behavior and
how the strength of these networks may diminish the role of traditional
guardianship, increasing vulnerability to gang recruitment.

Conclusion (Last paragraph):

Social Learning Theory and Routine Activity Theory provide a robust structure
for examining the impact of social media on youth gang involvement. By focusing
on the variables of content exposure, engagement, and online peer networks,
this study endeavors to unravel the intricate mechanisms by which social media
can influence behavior and create opportunities for criminal activities. The
utilization of these theories allows for a comprehensive analysis that is expected
to yield insights into preventative strategies and policy-making, highlighting the
framework’s significance not only for the academic understanding of criminology
but also for practical community safety initiatives.

(Support Each Paragraph with Citation/s. Use Transitional Devices for the
Coherence of Ideas. 3-4 pages and ½ at least)

Statement of the Problem

- This section describes the problem of the research is addressing.
(General and specific view)
- Write the study SOP based on the flow of the research study/Research Title.
(Minimum of 3 to a maximum of 5 SOPs’ in every study)

Example:

The general problem is the rising involvement of youths in gang activities

potentially facilitated by their engagement with social media. This trend presents
a modern challenge for criminological study and public safety, demanding an
investigation into the nature and extent of social media's role in influencing and
possibly accelerating this involvement.

Specific Statements of the Problem:

1. How does exposure to gang-related content on social media correlate with an
increased interest in youth gang involvement?
2. What is the role of active engagement with social media content in shaping
perceptions and attitudes toward gang culture among youths?
3. To what extent do online social networks and peer interactions on social media
platforms contribute to the recruitment and retention of youths in gang activities?
4. How do the patterns of social media usage by at-risk youths align with the
predictive elements of the Routine Activity Theory concerning criminal behavior
and victimization?
 5. What preventative strategies and interventions can be identified to mitigate the
influence of social media on youth gang involvement?

Hypothesis (or Hypotheses)

- List the assumptions that the study will be testing in the research investigation.
Write the hypothesis/Hypotheses based on SOP no. 3 or last SOP
(Null or Alternative).
- The research adviser will help the students decide to use Null alone in the
study or both Null and Alternative.

Example:
Null Hypothesis (H0): There is no significant relationship between the patterns
of social media usage by at-risk youths and the predictive elements of the
Routine Activity Theory concerning their involvement in gang activities.

Alternative Hypothesis (H1): There is a significant relationship between the

patterns of social media usage by at-risk youths and the predictive elements of
the Routine Activity Theory concerning their involvement in gang activities.

Schematic Diagram
(Draw two boxes connected by one line at the center. On the left box write the
Independent variable/s and on the right box the dependent variable/s of the
study)

INDEPENDENT
VARIABLE/S DEPENDENT VARIABLE/S

Figure 1. Schematic Presentation of the Variables of the Study

Significance of the Study
- These are the beneficiaries or the people/groups who might benefit from the
findings of the study. Write them according to their importance or position.
(Top to the Lowest Position/Hierarchy Arrangement)

Example:
The findings of this study are poised to benefit a spectrum of stakeholders, spanning
from national policy formulators to local community actors:
1. Policy Makers and Law Enforcement Agencies: Insights from this study can
inform the development of comprehensive strategies and legal frameworks
aimed at mitigating youth gang involvement, guiding resource allocation for
prevention and intervention programs.
2. Educational Institutions and Administrators: Educators will be able to
harness the study's findings to tailor school-based programs that raise
awareness and educate students about the risks of social media as it relates to
gang involvement.
3. Social Media Platforms: This research can provide social media companies
with crucial data to refine their content moderation policies and design features
that help detect and prevent the spread of gang-related content.
4. Parents and Guardians: The study will offer valuable information to parents and
guardians regarding the signs of potential gang involvement facilitated through
social media, enabling more effective monitoring and guidance.
5. Youth Organizations: Community and youth organizations may use the
research outcomes to create targeted outreach programs that engage at-risk
youths.
6. Researchers and Academics: The study adds to the existing body of
knowledge in criminology and social media studies, paving the way for future
research.
7. General Public: By raising public awareness of the issue, the study indirectly
benefits the community by potentially reducing gang-related activities and
improving public safety.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
- Mention the coverage of the study or the setting of the study.
- Mention the year the study will be conducted/ time frame of the study. Mention who
are the participants of the study and the total no. of the respondents involved.
Example:
This study is conducted within the urban settings of Pagadian City, during the calendar
year 2023-2024. It focuses on youths aged between 13 to 18 years, who are active
social media users. The study's participants are selected from local high schools and
community centers, encompassing a sample size of 200 respondents. The research
delimits itself to examining the correlation between social media use and gang
involvement without delving into the socioeconomic factors that may also play a role in
this dynamic.

Definition of Terms
- Write it alphabetically. Write the important words used in the study.
- Give them definitions operationally based on how the terms/words used in the study.
Example:
Definition of Terms:
1. Gang Involvement: Operationally defined as the participation or membership in
a group that engages in criminal activities, as identified through self-reporting by
respondents or via social media activity analysis.
2. Social Media Platforms: Refer to digital platforms where users create, share, or
exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.
3. Youth: In this study, youth refer to individuals aged 13 to 18 years who are
residents of the study's defined urban setting.
4. Social Learning Theory: Utilized in the study to describe the process by which
individuals observe and imitate behaviors observed on social media.
5. Routine Activity Theory: Applied within the research context as a framework to
analyze the opportunity structure for potential gang involvement as influenced by
everyday use of social media.
(Please take note of this)
Conceptual Definition: The conceptual definition provides the theoretical meaning of a
term as it is rooted in theoretical literature. It's an abstract concept that usually derives
from academic discourse or scholarly consensus within the field of study. A conceptual
definition is broad and sometimes ambiguous because it is subject to interpretation.
Example:
Recidivism - refers to a person's relapse into criminal behavior, often after the person
receives sanctions or undergoes intervention for a previous crime. It is a key indicator of
the efficacy of criminal justice interventions and is often used as a measure of success
in corrections and rehabilitation programs (Maltz, 1984).

Operational Definition: The operational definition specifies how a concept is measured

or observed in a particular study. It translates a concept into measurable variables and
provides instructions on how the measurement is to be made. It is a clear, concise,
detailed definition of a measure.
Example:
Recidivism - In our study, recidivism is operationally defined as any new arrest,
conviction, or incarceration that a person experiences within a three-year period
following their release from a correctional facility. This operational definition is quantified
by the collection of official criminal justice system records to track the post-release
interactions of former inmates with the criminal justice system.