Electromagnetic Effects in the Vicinity of an Active Wind Farms - Coursework Example

Table of Contents 1.0.Introduction 2 2.0.Literature Review 3 3.0.Research Methodology 6 3.1.Research Objective 6 3.2.Research Questions 6 3.3.Theoretical Framework 7 3.4.Research Hypotheses 7 3.5.Research Variables 8 3.6.Measures for the Variables 8 3.7.Types of data 8 3.8.Methods of data collection 9 3.9.Sample selection process 9 3.10.Data coding/merging 10 3.11.Data analysis 10 4.0.Ethical Consideration 10 5.0.Costing and time considerations 11 6.0.Project Milestones 11 1.0. Introduction Researches on Wind Farms and human health effects have continued to grow in the recent years. Particular focuses have been put on issues such as shadow flicker, noise and electromagnetic effects of wind farms. Studies such Nomura et al. (2005) developed summary of opinions based independent reviews and compiled evidence based findings to ascertain the extent to which wind farms have become problems to people. However, examining whether emissions from wind farms may affect human health is multidisciplinary in the sense that both the manner of emissions from Wind Farms and individuals perceptions regarding Wind Farms is highly variable. Given paucity of information and inconsistent evidence that link Wind Farms and human health, a research that critically investigates a given problem associated with possible health effects of Wind Farms, particularly that which captures peoples’ views and opinions on Wind Farms is highly warranted. Whilst the effects of Wind Farms continue to be multifaceted, this can be narrowed by examining Wind Farms and possible electromagnetic effects it generates. The study uses existing surveys and research to develop evidence-based conclusion. The study is conducted to characterize and understand electromagnetic effects in the vicinity of an active Wind Farms to address the heightened anxiety by scholars that Wind Farms are exposing people to health related complications. The study takes investigative approach and considers appropriate methods of solution so as to provide the evidence on Wind Farms and human health. Investigative approach will help in the identification of gaps in the current evidence base to inform recommendations for further research. 2.0. Literature Review The issue of electromagnetic (EM) exposure and possible health related hazards has predated the prevalence of wind energy in different parts of the world including England. Previous studies that examined residential exposure to EM provided evidence indicating that there was a higher incidence of brain cancer and leukemia in children living near wind farms, particularly those that had wire configuration (Manwell et al. 2010; Mullane and O'Malley 2005). However, contemporary studies that were improved on their methodology and tended to use investigative approach have been at best inconsistent (Salman and Teo 2013). Research conducted by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) showed that EM from Wind Farms was Class 2B meaning that the link between EM and brain cancer and leukemia is minimal. However, it has to be noted that studies by IARC took investigative studies on samples from one region and may not have reflected the actual challenges of Wind Farms with regard to EM. Secondly, this research finds that IARC was basically a human study therefore there was insufficient investigative evidences of carcinogenicity in experimental animals taken for case studies. There is a growing list of individual-reported health symptoms attributed to Wind Farms, specifically with regard to EM. A study published in 2014 by Wagner et al. (2014) reported over 300 symptoms that were related to people staying near Wind Farms. The study documented that symptoms such as skin irritations, cognitive dysfunction, irritability, sleep disruption and vertigo were attributed to Wind Farms and EM. In 2013, Varma et al. (2013) published an article showing that wind farm Wind Farms expose people to EM which in turn causes myriad of health related complications including what the article terms as ‘Electrohypersensitivity’(p. 271). However, evidences provided by these studies have certainly been weakened by different methodological approaches that can be identified as a combination of sample selection bias, degree of confounding and chance. Taking evidence provided by studies such as Salman and Teo (2013), it is possible to argue that there are inadequate globally accepted approaches that would suggest that low-level exposures are linked to development of cancer. Unless investigative approach that considers appropriate methods of solution is provided, the evidence linked to childhood leukemia is not strong to be considered causal. On the same note, nowhere in their publication did Wagner et al. (2014) provide succinct measured levels concerning EM and active Wind Farms. In as much as claims of health related complications attributable to EM have been reported on the internet, such claims have remained elusive as there is no experimental documentations conducted to support such claims. Scientific literatures that have investigated the link between EM, health related complications and Wind Farms s have been limited but this that have been succeeded in developing concrete data generated different findings. A survey that measured the level of EM emitted from Wind Farms found that wind turbines of contemporary design, especially where there was robot blades placed in front of turbines only produced every lower level of electromagnet radiations (Molinas et al. 2008; Song et al. 2010). According to Aydin et al. (2010), electromagnetic radiation (EMR) can be understood as a wavelength of pattern of magnetic energy moving together from wind farms. Additionally, EMR from wind farms if any can affect radio-communication (mobile phones, broadcast radio and television) thus a need to take a critical study on people’s opinion on wind farms and EM. A clearer understanding of the link between EM, Wind Farms and health related complications will be to design investigative approach that considers the fact that electromagnetic fields (EMF) come from any wire carrying electricity and people are already exposed to these wires routinely. It is for this purpose that studies have been divided on the extent to which electromagnetic fields produced by the generation and export of electricity from Wind Farms can pose health related effects to people (Bergström et al. 2014; Angulo et al. 2014). Survey studies conducted by Crichton et al. (2014) have indicated that with the introduction of new technology in designing Wind Farms, peoples’ opinion have been divergent with some people arguing that the gadget is likely to expose them to industrial related toxics, unknown catastrophic consequences and substantial media exposures. While the research intends to ascertain people’s opinion regarding EM and Wind Farms, Manwel et al. (2010) research in essential in designing research hypotheses and questions. Wagner et al. (2014) collected people’s view concerning the nearby wind farms and linked in to health related complication reported to have been caused by EM. The study measured levels of EM 3 to 5 metres from different Wind Farms consisting of 55 Vestas V90 3 MW towers. The investigative research ascertained that indeed the Wind Farms generated EM but concluded that the EM were either below detection at some points and they could be detected were small to be considered ‘ill-health’ (p.82). While studies have collected different views regarding why people may not like wind farms, it is important to ascertain whether EMF levels generated by wind farms are above the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guideline of 2,000 mG for the protection of health of the general public. 3.0. Research Methodology 3.1. Research Objective The objective of the research is to assess Wind Farms and whether they generate EM that causes health related complication. The objective has been chosen since it is the broad point about what the research hopes to accomplish and the desired outcome from the process of researching. In addition, the objective introduces what is missing from the literatures reviewed thus identifying the gap in knowledge. While the objective seems to be broad in their approach, it is focussed when put as: 1. To critically compare quantitative and qualitative data from respondents with a view of integrating such with literature reviews. 3.2. Research Questions The following research questions have been identified with an aim of concretizing and solving research problems thesis statement: 1. How do Wind Farms influence people’s views? 2. Do EM from Wind Farms linked to health related complications? The research questions challenge assumptions and theories that have been used in the proposal. That is, it tests the validity and conformity of the assumptions and theoretical models that have been adopted for the study. To this regard, such assumption helps this proposal confirm that the study will pose a sound research question. In such connection, the questions have been developed as it is able to examine what the proposal considers as the scope, scalability, size and sustainability of the research topic. 3.3. Theoretical Framework The theoretical framework deals with people’s views on wind farms and cognitive theories of which are further achieved through succinct research problems that not only encompass the literature review but also captures the tenets of dependent and independent variables. Integrating theoretical framework gives a better overview of commitment trust theory which provides significant relationship between the wind farms and the overall view of people. As uncertainty is growing predictability over wind farms, this theory becomes vital for comparing quantitative and qualitative data from respondents with a view to integrating such with research problem. 3.4. Research Hypotheses Hypothesis 1: Wind farms have a correlation with people’s views regarding EM and health related complications. The first hypothesis is directional where the research attempts to predict the expected outcome with regard to data collection and analysis tools that have been used. Secondly, the hypothesis has been adopted to test the relationship between the two variables. There is need to gain better comprehension of peoples opinion and views where they are exposed to wind farms. The hypothesis is therefore meant to decipher final answers or decisions and provide an overview of a given challenge posed by wind farms. Hypothesis 2: There is gap in the literatures that deals with investigation and measurement of the two variables; wind farms and people’s opinion on EM. The second hypothesis tests research validity. Validity in this case, particularly in data collection means that the findings will truly represent the scenario the research is purporting to measure. In other words, it looks towards developing the relationship between research objectives and questions so that findings, data gathering and analysis can be interpreted in a specific paradigm. The second hypothesis also helps in designing a research method. According to Varma et al. (2013) hypothesis helps in designing research methods which in turn, is an inquiry that combines or associates both qualitative and quantitative forms. 3.5. Research Variables i. Dependent variable: Availability of wind farms closer to people The research will manipulate this variable to see if it makes the dependent variable change. In so doing, the dependent variable becomes the main focus of this proposal. ii. Independent variable: people’s views and opinion of wind farms on EM Independent variables include approaches that will be used as interventions and subject characteristics that directly influence dependent variables. Therefore data collection sub-section also describes how each variable will be measured. 3.6. Measures for the Variables The proposal has chosen two levels of measurements because they determine the types of statistical package to be used. They include Statistical Package for Social Science and Cronbach’s Alpha and Pearson Correlations. 3.7. Types of data In as much as the data can be categorised as process based data, outcome data, purpose data, logical data model, these fall under the category of either qualitative and quantitative. Beginning with quantitative, the research will obtain measures of counts or values which are expressed as numbers. Quantitative provide more information regarding issues for which there are different views regarding the research topic and offers a direction through which the overall effectiveness of the research will be increased. Qualitative data will be concerned with non-numeric data in regard to phenomenological aspects such as people’s perceptions on wind farms. 3.8. Methods of data collection The research uses mixed method of data collection as it enhances reliability of the data collected and the deductions made. The data collection procedures used are: observation, structured interviews and structured questionnaires. Further, validity and reliability of the study will play a fundamental role in the acceptability of the findings, conclusions and recommendations emerging from the study. Additionally, these methods are intended to help the researcher answer the research questions by deciphering the respondents’ perception and awareness of wind farms and the link EM produced has with health related complications. 3.9. Sample selection process Based on the nature of the research and the targeted respondents, samples will be selected using stratified random sampling process. This method has been preferred ahead of other process such as systematic random sample and simple random sample because the research will be targeting a given strata (unique group) within the population as the company is not interested in the whole population. Taking hypothetical figure, the total population of region expected to be studied can be denoted as N therefore in order to select a sample of field operators within the N the study can denote the sample as n of N. But since the study is interested in a particular group or strata within N the stratified random samples mean dividing the total population into different samples or strata. 3.10. Data coding/merging The data obtained from the tools aforementioned are going to be entered in a computer program in form of data base, spreadsheet and statistical program. As a result, they will be entered in the same manner for every field operator, state, questionnaire or unit of analysis. The study will therefore have variable names that are assigned to the data which will in turn reflect the nominal definitions of these variables. 3.11. Data analysis Data analysis is a mechanism for reducing and organising data to produce findings that require interpretation by the researcher. The scores of the tests will be processed through SPSS software and used in the quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis of the responses involved interpreting each aspect of the rubric according to the respondents’ view. Descriptive statistics (means and frequencies) will be utilised in the analysis. Pearson’s Correlation analysis will be employed to decipher the relationship between different variables. Finally, reliability of the instruments will be tested using Cronbach’s Alpha test in order to find out if they achieve a satisfactory level of acceptance. 4.0. Ethical Consideration The identity of all the respondents will be kept anonymous and, in cases where a name will be used in, it will be a pseudonym. Secondly, each participant engaged in this study will do so voluntarily. Consequently, the responses will not be obtained through giving any compensation to the respondents. Before commencing the interview sessions, each respondent will be briefed on what the research involved. In regard to the questionnaires, the purpose of the study will be highlighted in an opening statement. 5.0. Costing and time considerations Expenditure description Budget needed Justification for the expenditures Time considerations Office supplies $500 Paper, pens, printer cartridges, photocopying, postage 4 months Travel for Project Lead $1,500 Registration and travel costs for the Researchers 8 months Honoraria for participants $1,400 100 gift cards for participants 3 months Journal articles $800 Cost of open access journal publication 9 months Travel and Meetings $700 Registration and travel costs for the Researchers 7 months Equipment $900 Paper, pens, printer cartridges, photocopying, postage 2 months 6.0. Project Milestones Activity/Year December 2015 Later Later Later Later Later Proposal writing Presentation of proposal Correction and amendments Preparation of data collection instruments and collection of data Dissertation Presentation of dissertation report References Angulo, I., de la Vega, D., Cascón, I., Cañizo, J., Wu, Y., Guerra, D. and Angueira, P., 2014. 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