Help me to make the following more like spoken English, more easy and more natural. I'm gonna use it as my pre‘s voiceover.                                  The Role of Social Media in Music Preference and Access among Gen Z                                                           Introduction
The research topic that will be explored in this study is the role of social media in music preference among Gen Z, a demographic group born between 1997 and 2012.   The rise of social media platforms have brought immense changes in the way people connect, share and express their interests. According to a report by Nielsen Music, over 80% of Gen Z listens to music on YouTube, and social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok have become a crucial tool for artists to promote their music and engage with their fan base (NME, 2020). This trend has been further magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to more young people turning to social media platforms for music entertainment, including live-streamed concerts, DJ sets, and interactive fan experiences (Friedman, 2020).

Previously, music promotion was done through radio, television or physical sales, but now social media platforms and streaming services have taken over.When we talk about the significance of this topic both theoretically and socio-economically, we need to understand the impact of a music genre on the society and vice versa. The theoretical significance of this research is to understand how social media platforms shape the identity formation, as well as the cultural and social communication of music, amongst Gen Z individuals. By exploring the impact of social media on music preference, and using Social Cognitive theory, this research can further provide insight into how social media is influencing the music industry.

literature review
The rise of social media platforms has brought immense changes in the way people connect, share, and express their interests. As digital natives, Gen Z has grown up with social media, and their experiences with music are likely to be different than previous generations. Existing research consistently highlights the significance of social media in the music discovery process for younger generations, including Gen Z (Datta et al., 2017; Baym, 2017). These studies have found that social media platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok are the most popular sources of music for this demographic group.

While there is a growing body of literature on the role of social media in music preferences, few studies have specifically focused on Gen Z (Datta et al., 2017), who have grown up with social media as a central aspect of their lives.

Research on social media’s impact on music preferences has shown a positive relationship between social media use and musical taste formation (Meehan, 2019). Social media can be an integral tool for music discovery and sharing among young adults and can play a role in shaping the music industry (Webster, 2021).

Research has also explored the role of peer networks and online influencers on music preferences (Martínez-Castaño et al., 2016; Marwick, 2015). Martínez-Castaño et al. (2016) suggest that social media strategies, including the use of online influencers, can effectively promote indie music to listeners. However, the extent to which peer networks and online influencers influence music preference among Gen Z needs further investigation.

Social media platforms provide ample opportunities for users to explore, discover, and share music that reflects their personal preferences. Research suggests that social media can contribute to the creation of alternative music genres and subcultures that appeal to younger individuals (Güven, 2016). However, there is a gap in the literature in the study of how these genres and subcultures come into existence and what role social media plays in their formation.

Various studies have highlighted how social media contributes to the development of music fandoms, and the impact of fandoms on the music industry (Derbaix & Korchia, 2019). However, there is still a lack of understanding of how social media creates fan communities and if these fan communities are influenced by social media algorithms.

Research has shown that social media can lead to a phenomenon known as "musical convergence” (Vizcaíno-Verdú et al., 2023). Musical convergence occurs when individuals begin to share common musical tastes due to the influence of social media algorithms. However, the extent to which social media algorithms play a role in the formation of musical preferences among Gen Z needs further exploration.

Social media platforms can create a sense of community for individuals with niche musical interests (Sharabati et al., 2022). However, there is a lack of understanding on how social media facilitates human interaction within these communities, as well as the impact of these communities on music preference and identity formation among Gen Z.

This literature review has provided insights into the existing research on the role of social media in music preference among Gen Z, highlighting the significance of social media platforms in shaping music preferences. However, few studies have specifically focused on Gen Z, and there are still gaps in the literature on the impact of social media on music preference among this demographic group. Therefore, there is a need for research to investigate the role of social media in shaping the music preference of Gen Z specifically, considering how social media platforms have become crucial in promoting music, engaging with fans and contributing to music taste developmen.


Research Questions
Main research question:
What is the role of social media in shaping the music preferences of Gen Z？

Minor research questions:
- What social media platforms are most influential in shaping music preferences among Gen Z?
- How do peer networks and online influencers contribute to the development of music preferences among Gen Z?
- To what extent does exposure to diverse genres and artists through social media impact music taste development among Gen Z, and how can social media promote diversity in music preference?


Methods
Design and Methodology:
The research design for this study will be a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Quantitative data will be gathered through the use of online questionnaires, while qualitative data will be gathered through semi-structured interviews. A cross-sectional survey design will be employed to gather data on social media use and music preferences among Gen Z. This design will allow for the collection of data at a single point in time from a representative sample of the population.

Methods:
Online Questionnaires will be the primary data collection method for this study. The questionnaire will focus on demographic information, general social media use, and specific music preferences. Questions will be designed to capture general patterns and trends and will include multiple-choice, ranking, and Likert scale questions.

Semi-structured interviews will be conducted via video or audio calls and will collect more in-depth and nuanced information regarding the relationship between social media use and music preferences. Interview questions will be open-ended and follow up on themes identified from the questionnaires.

Sampling Strategy:
The sampling strategy for this study will be convenience sampling, with participants being recruited through social media platforms commonly used by Gen Z, such as Instagram and TikTok.

Potential Problems:
Potential issues in conducting the research may include challenges in gaining access to respondents, concerns about anonymity in participation, and ethical issues surrounding the collection of personal information from younger participants. To address these issues, consent forms will be provided to participants, and all data will be kept confidential and anonymous.

Data Analysis:
Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, such as chi-square tests and correlation analysis, to explore relationships between variables of interest, such as social media use and music preferences. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. Data will be coded into relevant themes and categories to identify patterns and trends within the participants’ accounts of their social media use and music preferences.

Ethics:
The safety of participants will be ensured by making sure that they are fully informed of the research aims and procedures. They will be informed that participation is voluntary and that they can opt out at any time. Consent forms will be utilized, and data confidentiality will be observed at all times.

Limitations:
While the mixed-methods approach provides a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the relationship between social media use and music preferences among Gen Z, there may still be limitations to the study. Convenience sampling may introduce some degree of selection bias, and the use of self-report measures may be subject to social desirability biases. To mitigate these limitations, care will be taken to ensure that the sample is representative, and the research instruments will be designed to minimize social desirability biases. Additionally, the study will be limited to a sample of Gen Z within certain geographical boundaries, and findings may not be generalizable to other populations.