Supervision
Thesis Guidelines
If you're interested in writing your master thesis with us, we have compiled a document with all relevant information you need to know.
The guidelines for example outline the exact procedure how we will supervise your thesis. In addition, you can find information on how to write and structure a thesis, how to analyze data, and how we will evaluate your work.
You can download the guidelines here.
Topic selection
Master students interested in writing a thesis in the field of Media Psychology are welcome to approach us with their own suggestions. Possible themes could still be broad, the concrete research focus then being worked out together with potential supervisors in the Division.
In addition to this, members of the Division regularly announce topics for possible master thesis (see list below).
Systematic review on psychedelic-assisted therapy and social media content
We are currently witnessing a “psychedelic renaissance” with growing public interest in the use of psychedelics such as psilocybin to treat mental health disorders, including depression and substance addictions. This trend is widely discussed on social media, and numerous studies (e.g., content analyses) have already been published. A thesis could systematically review the existing literature to map current knowledge and identify research gaps.
Keywords: mental health, psychedelic-assisted therapy, systematic review
Moderators in online health communities and the management of health misinformation
Online health communities (e.g., Facebook groups, Reddit) often contain a high volume of health misinformation. A research opportunity lies in exploring how administrators/moderators of these communities manage and counter this misinformation. This topic could be approached with qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups) or quantitative methods (e.g., surveys).
Keywords: online health communities, content moderation, health misinformation
Self-diagnosis of mental health disorders and interpersonal validation
An increasing number of individuals are turning to social media to self-diagnose mental health conditions such as ADHD. These platforms offer easily accessible content ranging from personal testimonials to simplified symptom checklists that may encourage individuals to identify with certain diagnoses without professional assessment. A relevant research question is to examine the consequences of sharing such self-diagnostic content with others via social media platforms. How do friends or romantic partners respond to these disclosures? Do they offer support and validation, or do they invalidate self-diagnosis? The topic is suitable for a variety of methodological approaches.
Keywords: mental health, self-diagnosis, interpersonal validation
The privacy paradox in online health communities
A growing number of individuals seek help in online health communities such as private or public Facebook groups, where they often disclose highly sensitive information. This may include their full name, medications they take, or even photos of their face in moments of distress. This research aims to examine the “privacy paradox” in the context of online health support, investigating why people disclose sensitive details despite potential risks. Both qualitative (e.g., interviews, focus groups) and quantitative (e.g., survey, content analysis, experiment) approaches are suitable for this topic.
Keywords: online health communities, privacy paradox, self-disclosure