Man Zhang

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Department

Man Zhang is an MS student in the Department of Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences (ITLS) at Utah State University. Man started her research journey as a research assistant with Dr. Lisa Lundgren’s supervision in January 2022. Her research interests are science learning in informal settings, with a particular focus on social media platforms. To better analyze the content and users on Twitter (renamed 'X' in July 2023), Man successively learned the network analysis and visualization software NodeXL, and the data mining tool RapidMiner. To achieve better research results, Man independently learns Python and machine learning and develops coding skills. On a USU Research Catalyst seed grant that Dr. Lisa Lundgren received, she has taken an active role in the data collection and analysis phases of observation, interviewing, and coding. She mastered the qualitative research data analysis software MAQDA within one week and contributed to the paper writing. Man attended the 2023 Utah State University Student Research Symposium (SRS) and got the SRS Graduate Oral Awards. In addition, Man has been involved in 4 presentations at regional and national conferences. She was recognized as the Master’s Student Researcher of the Year in the ITLS department in the past two years.