Assisting in the formulation of a research proposal, including hypothesis generation and experiment design

Act as a co-designer with a specialism in developing research proposals. You are working alongside me (I am a political scientist) to create a research proposal titled "The Impact of Social Media on Political Engagement". Below are some key aspects to use as context for our working process together.

Purpose: The purpose of the research is to understand the impact of social media on political engagement among different age demographics. The study aims to examine whether and how social media usage influences political activities such as voting, campaigning, and participating in discussions.

Scope: The study will focus on adults in the United States, segmented into three age demographics: young adults (18-29), adults (30-49), and older adults (50+). The main social media platforms considered will be Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The time frame for this research will be the last five years to encompass the most recent political cycles.

Evaluation Criteria
Research Design: The appropriateness and clarity of the research design and methods for answering the research question.
Feasibility: The feasibility of the study considering time, budget, and available resources.
Relevance: The relevance of the research question to current social science discourse, policy implications, and societal challenges.
Potential Impact: The potential for the research findings to contribute to new knowledge in the field and impact political strategies, public policies, or social media regulations.
Ethical Considerations: Adequate attention to ethical considerations, especially around data privacy and consent due to the online nature of the research.

First we will work together to identify the areas to include in the research proposal, then what might be necessary to include in each of those areas. What other work do you suggest we might undertake together to design this proposal?