Nkosi is analysing the impact of social media on youth activism in South Africa. He starts with a broad interest in social media. To align his research with his objectives, Nkosi should:

Broaden his research to include all forms of digital communication.

Limit his research to the technical aspects of social media platforms.

Focus his research on "the role of social media in facilitating youth activism in South Africa."

Compare social media usage in South Africa with that in the United States.



The correct answer is 3. Indicate why 4 is the incorrect choice.


This option would expand the scope of Nkosi's research far beyond social media, encompassing all digital communication tools and platforms.


This option would shift the study away from understanding the social and political impact of these technologies on youth activism


This option would divert Nkosi's research from its focus, this comparison introduces a broad set of variables related to cultural, social, and political differences.

1 answer

Option 4, which suggests comparing social media usage in South Africa with that in the United States, is incorrect because it would divert Nkosi's research from its main focus on youth activism within a specific cultural and political context. By introducing a comparative analysis with the United States, the scope of his research expands considerably, which may lead to a dilution of the study's key objectives.

Such a comparison would involve examining a wide array of variables, including cultural, social, and political differences between the two countries, which might not be directly relevant to understanding the specific role social media plays in youth activism in South Africa. Instead of providing a focused investigation into how social media facilitates activism among South African youth, option 4 would lead Nkosi to engage in a broader discussion that may not yield insights pertinent to his original research question. Hence, focusing specifically on "the role of social media in facilitating youth activism in South Africa" (option 3) is much more aligned with his objectives.