Stokes, Assignment 8, Next steps

The next phase for me involves a date (actually several dates) with my computer doing some research to better understand the process and thesis style I am about to embark on. My thesis is taking on the model of a law review article (something I am in search to learn much more about).

My memo stated that my thesis would be answering the theoretical question: What impact legislation will have on internet security and privacy, especially in regards to social networking sites. I have been encouraged to take my thesis a step further to a broader view and not just focus on legislation but on the user for example. Is there and expectation of privacy from the user? Does the first amendment provide protection?

In addition I have been encouraged to find studies that have used a similar methodology to identify a "sense of the congress" or "agenda setting".

Thank goodness I have a few examples and starting points to begin my research. Wish me luck! I will let you know how it all turns out.

Stokes, Thesis Search:Legislation

I have spent the last few days on a www.govtracks.com reading and researching current legislation that is at various stages of activity. A sample of some of my findings:
1. SAFE Internet Act:Introduced May 14, 2009
To make grants available to carry out an age-appropriate, research-based Internet safety education program and other activities relating to Internet safety.

2. Student Internet Safety Act of 2009: Passed House June 16, 2009 (Awaiting Senate)
To use $$ (Drug free $$, and other) to develop and implement programs promoting safe internet use by students.

3. Internet Freedom Act of 2009: Introduced Oct. 22, 2009
To prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from further regulating the Internet

4. Adolescent Web Awareness Requires Education Act: Introduced Sept. 23, 2009

5. Expressing Support for Designation of Jan. 28 as "National Data Privacy Day"

While I am reading and discovering possibilities of legal impact legislation could and will have in regards to information on the internet, I am pondering the structure, flow and design of my thesis. What technique should I adopt:
1. Content Analysis: analyze 2 or more of these Acts, in search of common themes that could be developed into a potential hypothesis for the impact they may have if passed as a bill.
2. Comparison Study: Compare and Contrast 2 or more of these Acts
3. Usability Analysis: ???

This is where I may need a little help. I am very interested in this topic and even more so now that I have been exposed to some legislation will potentially be dealing with Internet safety and privacy. Next steps and structure of my thesis are still a bit foggy and unclear at this point.