Word Limit: 1,500 words including references

Purpose:

This assignment allows the student to explore and critically evaluate the literature on ONE selected aspect of social media from the list of possible topics given below:

1. Justifying investment and measuring returns from social media projects.

2. Social media and mobile technology.

3. Design and/or development of social media applications.

The findings are then presented as a brief literature review.

Learning Outcome being assessed:

Analyze business applications of social media in terms of their potential to build relationships, generate new opportunities and facilitate processes.

Tasks:

1. Choose the topic area and approach:

A selection of possible topic areas is given above which cover a range of issues associated with social media. Pick the one which fits the best with your interests and start to find and read articles in that area; select good quality controlled sources such as peer reviewed academic journals (not social media sites or blogs!). Once you have a ‘feel' for the topic you can focus in on some aspects of particular interest to yourself.

2. Focus your critique:

Once you have chosen the particular aspect of the topic which you are going to focus on, identify a number of key papers in the area. You should include a minimum of 10 and probably no more than 20 good quality sources. Ideally, the papers selected will adopt differing or contrasting positions or approaches to the topic. You will need to acknowledge these articles using a formal referencing system, in APA style in the reference section of the review.

3. Analyze the papers and write the review:

Write the review of the area based on the literature that you select using a maximum of 1500 words including the reference section. Overly long assignments will be penalised.

4. Submission:

We will be using the Light work electronic marking tool. This means your assignment will be marked online and returned to you with marker comments. Instructions on how to retrieve your marked assignment are available within the Stream site.