Consumption of Alcohol by Teenagers - Research Proposal Example

Name Professor Course Date Summary Consumption of alcohol is a well-organised cause of social damage; mortality and morbidity in Australia and around the world. Binge drinking, particularly, among teenagers is an unhealthy portion of the Australian culture. According to Sharp, an author, alcohol has always been a social problem in Australia and it is getting worse (282). Binge drinking among young people and its effects is a worrisome trend in Australia. The rise of binge drinking among teenagers and its social, economic and health effects have prompted me to choose the question concerning why teenagers binge drink and what are the implications of binge drinking. Drawing from the data collected from both primary and secondary sources, I was able to answer the question. I discovered that binge drinking among teenagers is on the rise. This form of drinking is a popular culture among teenagers with social issues, conformity and curiosity compelling it. The consequences of binge drinking include social immorality, injuries, violence and death. In this regard, parents have a great role to play in curbing binge drinking and its effects among their teenage children. Evaluation of Sources When conducting a research, researchers come across diverse information from different sources. All these sources are classified as either secondary or primary sources. Primary sources entail an original document, study or an account from participants. These sources provide first-hand data while secondary sources entail another person’s interpretation or description of a primary source. Although secondary sources are easier to find than primary sources, it is essential not to depend largely on secondary sources. However, both secondary and primary sources are essential in research. In the research about binge drinking and its effects among teenagers, I used both primary and secondary sources. I accessed the sources online using binge drinking as the key word. These sources helped me to understand what is binge drinking and why it is a major concern in the society. Secondary Sources The secondary sources helped me to ascertain what other researchers and writers had found out about binge drinking among teenagers. Drawing from the diverse secondary sources, I was able to ascertain why teenagers engage in binge drinking and the root cause of binge drinking among teenagers. More so, the secondary sources helped me to ascertain the major effects of binge drinking among teenagers. The use of different secondary sources from credible sources such as government websites increased the credibility and validity of the results. The article by the Victoria State Government assessing the use of alcohol among teenagers was very instrumental in the research. This article highlights the role of parents in promoting binge drinking among their teenage children. More so, the article ascertains the impacts of excessive alcohol use among teenagers. Some of the major impacts of irresponsible alcohol use among teenagers include injuries or death, impaired brain development, unsafe sex, binge drinking and drink driving. Binge drinking forms the basis of my research and as such, the state government of Victoria article has helped in answering my research question. According to the authors, consumption of alcohol among teenagers is major cause of most drug-related deaths and social damage. Although excessive alcohol use is a personal choice, parents have a crucial role to play in preventing binge drinking among their teenage children. Parents have to set a good example to their children through becoming good role models and teaching responsible drinking besides establishing a supportive home environment. I find this article informative and persuasive to teenagers. Although the article was very helpful in the research, it did not demonstrate clear statistics concerning the rising numbers of binge drinking among teenagers. It is worth noting most teenagers are school going children and statistics from several schools would have provided a clear picture of binge drinking and its effects among teenagers. An article from the Ministry of Health Singapore highlighting the negative effects of binge drinking was helpful in answering the research question. Particularly, the article underscores the long-term impacts of excessive alcohol consumption. Some of the effects highlighted in the article include brain damage, digestive system diseases, kidney damage, liver disease, psychological problems, skeletal muscle damage and sexual and hormonal dysfunction. Although the article is informative, it lacks statistics to prove the evidence of negative impacts of binge drinking and what can be done to prevent binge drinking and its effects. Another article posted in the ReachOut.com website is also informative as it explains what is binge drinking and the negative effects of binge drinking. Similarly, the article is too shorts and lacks statistics demonstrating the serious nature and effects of binge drinking. Other sources that greatly informed my research include an article posted on the Foundation for a Drug-Free World website. The article is detailed and rich in information concerning alcohol consumption, its effects and remedies. The information presented in the article is clear and concise with statistics that clearly shows the rate and long-term and short-term effects of alcohol consumption. Specifically, the article highlights binge drinking as a long-term effect of alcohol consumption. The four articles are the secondary sources that were instrumental in getting the answer to my research question. The articles are accessible online; hence, no challenge in obtaining them. Specifically, the articles helped me to understand what has been done and written about binge drinking. It has also helped me in ascertaining the gaps in literature. In short, the secondary sources helped me in understanding the conception of binge drinking and its health and social effects. More so, the secondary sources were important in underscoring the causes of binge drinking among teenagers, it effects and how the society, particularly, parents can do to curb binge drinking among teenagers. According to the articles, social issues and family issues are key causes determinants of drinking. Primary Sources My research also included primary data collected from primary sources. As indicated earlier, primary sources help in the collection of first-hand data. Primary sources entail real materials established by real persons in connection with real-life events. More so, primary sources promote accuracy and credibility of results. With regard to the research, the primary source of data included interviews. The interviews entailed a verbal communication between the selected sample and the researcher aimed at gathering pertinent information about binge drinking. The interviews involved several teenage participants drawn from the two genders in a ratio of 1:2 for girls and boys respectively given that more teenage boys are involved in binge drinking than teenage girls. The aim of the interviews was to assess binge drinking among teenagers as well as establish the causes and implications of binge drinking. Getting teenagers to volunteer for the interview was a challenge. I had to convince them about the importance and objectives of the research. I presented them with informed consent forms detailing the procedures and risks that may be involved in taking part in the research. Besides, I sought consent from parents of the teenagers and guaranteed the participants about they would remain anonymous ad that the information collected from them will remain confidential. With respect to selection of the study sample, I conducted a purposive sampling and ensured that the sample size was enough to provide reliable results. I needed to include teenagers involved in binge drinking in order to understand what triggers them to engage in binge drinking and the effects of this form of drinking. A portion of the study population was uncooperative with some participants withdrawing from the study before its completion. I had a hard time dealing with teenagers who were already under the influence of alcohol. However, the no one was coerced to take part in the study and those who wished to withdraw were free to do so. Collecting data via interviews, although challenging, given the nature of the study sample, was advantageous. The interviews facilitated an in-depth understanding of binge drinking, its causes and effects. More so, the interviews deepened my understanding of how binge drinking can affect negatively people’s social and health life. The interviews allowed for more in-depth collection of data and detailed explanations. Through facial expressions and body language, I was able to understand clearly the impacts of binge drinking among teenagers. Unlike secondary sources, the interviews give the researcher a chance to probe for description of responses from the participants without distraction by the participants’ comments. However, the interviews were time consuming and provided biased responses. The interviews provided credible and reliable results. The interviews indicated that binge drinking is linked to violence in schools, unsafe sexual practices and injuries. The interviews also provided unexpected results with regard to depression. From the participants that I interviewed, I realised that binge drinking can cause depression that in turn makes it difficult for people to function well in their workplaces and in their relationships. As a result, I wish explore further the relationship between depression and binge drinking, and how binge drinking affects relationships at home, school and in the workplaces. The findings of the study do not only have implications on medical doctors,, psychologists, teenagers, governments, school administrators and teachers but also on parents who are required to be good role model to their children. To teenagers, the findings help them to understand that binge drinking is bad for their mental and health and can hold both long-term and short-term effects. At a personal level, the findings of the research are relevant to me as they help me to shape my social life besides enhancing my research skills. More essentially, the findings have prompted my desire to explore further the link between depression and excessive alcohol consumption and the effects of binge drinking on workplace and familial relationships. Work Cited Alcohol - teenagers. (2015, 3). Retrieved from www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/alcohol-teenagers alcohol-related problems. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.healthhub.sg: http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/616/Binge%20drinking%20dangers All about binge drinking. (2016, 8 9). Retrieved from au.reachout.com: http://au.reachout.com/all-about-binge-drinking Short- & Long-Term Effects. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.drugfreeworld.org: http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol/short-term-long-term-effects.html Sharp, I, Cultureshock! Australia: A survival guide to customs and etiquette, India, Marshal Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd, 2012. Read More