Alexis Gray

ENC 1102
March 14, 2016
Research Dossier
Topic: How Islamophobia is Demonstrated on Different Social Media Platforms
Introduction
In response to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, resentment has cultivated
tremendously towards the Muslim community within the United States. Proceeding from
the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York City, the United States
Military declared war on Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively. Due to the brutality,
duration, and tragedy associated with both of these wars, American hatred towards the
Muslim community has steadily increased over the past two decades. Therefore, I believe
it is imperative to acknowledge as a society the extent of feelings of animosity that
surrounds the topic of Islamophobia. When I began my research on how Islamophobia is
demonstrated on different social media platforms, I was a psychology major who was
aspiring to become a psychiatrist. However, I currently changed my major to Health
Sciences due to excess hours required to complete a psychology major because I am a
transfer student. Nevertheless, I am very passionate about the intricate workings of the
mind and personalities of the individual. I am conducting my research on this specific
topic to illustrate the contrasting views of the Muslim and American nationalities and the
effects of its actions. In doing so, I will be examining the four distinct platforms: Twitter,
Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Prior to examining individual posts, I would like to explain the differences between

the four similar but unique social media platforms. Facebook is a free social networking
website that allows registered users to create profiles, upload photos and video, send
messages and interact with friends, family, and colleagues (Dean). Twitter is a free social
networking website that allows registered members to post in forms of tweets; each tweet
cannot exceed 140 characters (Dean). YouTube is a free video-hosting website that allows
members to store and serve video content (Dean). Instagram allows members users to
upload, edit, and share photos with other members on their profile, either privately or
publicly (Dean). After synthesizing the information from two studies conducted by the
Pew Researching Center, Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015 and Social
Networking Fact Sheet, it is evident that Facebook is a clear first choice for social media
users. As of 2014, adults active on social networking sites use the Internet in this
descending order: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. According to the Pew Research Center,
young adults, ages 18-29, are the most likely of all age groups to use social networking
sites. As compared to adult users, young adults use the Internet in this descending order:
Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat. (Social Networking Fact Sheet) (Lenhart)
Defined by the Oxford dictionaries, Islamphobia is the dislike of or prejudice
against Islam or Muslims, especially as a political force. While conducting my research, I
have found that it is hard to distinguish between credible opinion based writing and that
of which is discredited because the claim was made on a fallacy. My research is not
constricted only to previous posts and claims but revolves heavily on the 2016
Presidential Race. The declarations made throughout candidates speeches, especially
Donald Trumps, have provoked the increase of media coverage regarding the issue of
Islamophobia. In doing so, I would like to concentrate a portion of my research paper on

how the presidential debate has affected the use of social media networking, regarding
Islamophobia, i.e. reactions of Muslim community and US voters.
Research Proposal
Purpose:
My major is Health Sciences. I am interested in writing about the topic of Islamophobia
in America because I believe the fear and hatred the American people have created is
negatively impacting our society. The racism is further dividing our nation and
implanting negative thoughts within societies youngest generations/ using specific
terrorist group events to create generalization about a population in society.
Preliminary Thesis/Argument
The acts of war that have been committed by Islamic terrorist groups within the past
decade and a half, have cultivated a generalized fear and racial bias against Muslims
within American Society. How has social networking sites increasing the circulation of
Islamophobia within American society.
Intended audience:
I believe that education administrators would benefit most from reading my research
paper because they have the ability to present both sides of the argument. Not necessarily
persuading students whether it is right or wrong to be racist, but rather, exposing them
to world views that may differ from their parents. Psychologically, children are most
likely to associate with the views and religion of their parents, this allows for
exposure. Additionally, voters who intend to cast a ballot for the 2016 Presidential
Election.

Types of research areas:

Being that my major is Health Sciences, I will most likely collect my evidence from
scholarly articles and field research studies. However, the use of the Internet will give me
greater insight as to which age group the topic is most prevalent in conversation.
Kinds of sources:
I will be using scholarly articles, individual posts from differing social networking sites,
and surveys. If time permits, I would like to create and conduct a small survey asking
students of UCF their opinion regarding the subject matter.
Graphs or charts:
I will frequently be using the Pew Research Center for different statistical information
regarding the use of social media, age groups associated with different networking sites,
and views of Muslim descent.
Documentation Style:
I will be using APA because it is the official format used for publication within the
discipline of Health Sciences.

Research Map
Research Questions
1.How is Islamophobia demonstrated in different social media
platforms?
2.How does the circulation of racially discriminatory materials affect
the Muslim community in the United States?

3.What platform of social media is most likely to circulate racially

discriminatory materials?
4. How is the 2016 Presidential Race provoking Islamophobia?
Keywords:
Islamophobia, racial discrimination (Muslim) (Social Media),
Islamophobia in the media, social effects (Islamophobia) (United
States), Twitter, Facebook(Islamic discrimination) (Rally around the
flag, Memes (Islamophobia), Trump
Kinds of research:
I will be conducting mostly Internet (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) and
library (UCF Database) research.
Time table
FEBRUARY
Sunday

16

23

MARCH
Sunday

* = research (done throughout), Conferences = TBA

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday

10 R.
Map
Revised
DUE!!
Work
17
Work
24
RR
Work

Monday

11
Library
4-6 pm
Work
18
Informative
Speech
Work
25
Work

Tuesday

5 R. Map
Peer Rev.
12 RR
Work

19
Work
26
Work

Wednesday

Saturday

7 Library
Course
14 RR
Work

8*

20
Work

21
Research
Work

22*
RR

27
Work

28
Research
Work

29
Bio Test:2
RR
Paper
Trail

13
Work

Thursday

Friday

15*

Saturday

1*
2
SPC Exam
RR
S

3
Work
P
B
Work

4
Work
R
R
Work

5
Disney
Work
I
E
Work

6
Draft
Work
N
A

7
Draft
Work
G
K

8
Draft

15*
Puerto
Rico
ENC
Peer
Review
Workshop
Work
22*

9
Draft

10
Draft

11
Puerto
Rico

12
Puerto Rico

13
Puerto
Rico

14
Puerto
Rico
ENC
Workshop
Draft
Work

16

17
Work

18
Work

19
Work

20
Work

23
RR/Final
Draft Due
30
ENC
Workshop
draft

24
Work

25
Work

26
Work

27
Work

21 Rhe.
Analysis
DUE!
RR
Work
28
RR
Work

APRIL
Sunday

6
Bio Test 3

13
ENC
workshop
draft 2
DEPPaper/prez

!!

29*

31
ENC Peer
Review
Work
Monday

7
ENC
Final
draft due
Work
14
Work

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1
Work

2 Kamis
Bday
Work

3
Work

4
TED Talk
Work

8
Work

9
Work

10
Work

15
Work

16
Work

17
Work

11
ENC
Workshop
draft 1
Work
18 Wksp
draft 3
Work

5
Persuasive
Speech
Work
12
ENC peer
review
workshop
19
ENC Peer
review

20
ENC- Self
assessment
Bio Test 4

21 ENC
peer
review
Work

22 ENC
Final
Draft
Work

23
Work

24
Work

25
ENC
Extra
Credit
TED
student
lounge

26

Last Day
of Classes
Work
27
Study Day

28
Work

29
Bio Final
Exam

30
Work

Annotated Bibliography
1) Krieg, Greggory. "Muslim Americans: Political Climate Worse
than after 9/11 - CNNPolitics.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 21
Nov. 2015. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
2) Sun, Lena. "American Muslim Doctors Feel Greater Scrutiny,
Even Patients Suspicions." Washington Post. The Washington
Post, 11 Dec. 2015. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
3) Reed, Acacia. "American Muslims Since 9/11." Wilson Center.
2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
4) Ledbetter, Quincy. "'Dangerous Logic': The Psychology behind
Bias and Islamophobia in America." Mashable. 10 Feb. 2016.
Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
5) McQueeney, K. (2014). Disrupting Islamophobia: Teaching the
Social Construction of Terrorism in the Mass Media. International
Journal Of Teaching & Learning In Higher Education, 26(2), 297309.
6) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/earlylead/wp/2015/12/11/how-the-first-turbaned-ncaa-basketballplayer-responded-to-becoming-a-racist-meme/
7) Facebook Post: Scott Sexton: February 29, 2016 Post: SearchMuslim hate
8) Facebook: Search- anti-muslim Trump in search engine

9) Facebook: Search anti-muslim rhetoric