| During this case study there was an investigation of the perceived impact of social media posts on a college athlete's performance and self-evaluation. The goal was to have up to ten Division I athletes from Southeastern colleges or universities. The convenience sample was recruited through flyers posted on social media and word of mouth. The participants completed a demographic survey, which allowed them to identify their race and age group (18-20, 21-23, or 24-26). The survey also asked the athlete to describe their academic classification (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), as well as their athletic classification (red shirt freshman, true freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), and what sport they play. The athlete also completed a face-to-face interview, with the exception of one athlete, about social media posts and the impact the posts have on them on and off their perspective fields. For this qualitative study descriptive statistics were used through the survey data received from the participants. Traditional qualitative analysis techniques were used to identify themes found from the interview responses. The results of the study revealed the social media activity of the athletes, how social media posts about themselves or teammates impact them on the field, and how the posts have affected how they identify who they are and perceive themselves. |
