Sample Research Proposal - Drug Abuse

Introduction

There have always been people who were unable to restrict their use of mind and body altering substances to culturally prescribed limits, and who have fallen into the trap we know today as addiction. Addiction usually does not happen overnight. Rather, people who become addicted to drugs (such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, etc.) are gradually introduced and desensitized to them over a period of time. They may initially enjoy the use of drugs in a recreational sort of way (Samet, Waxman, Hatzenbuehler & Hasin, 2007). For instance, someone might get into the habit of having a beer or some wine after work as a way of releasing the days' stresses. Someone else may use marijuana on an occasional basis as a way to share special time with friends or as an aid to appreciating food, music, or sex. Another person may start using cocaine as a way of staying up late at night to study for exams. Some people are able to keep using drugs on an occasional basis. Many other people are not so lucky. For these unlucky others, their use of drugs begins (gradually in some cases, abruptly in others) to increase, and the amount of attention they spend thinking about getting high, purchasing drugs, preparing drugs and taking drugs increases until it becomes the center of their lives. This study will be designed to understand the reason for addiction and addiction process. The main focus of the study will be the main reasons that hooks individuals to addition, the severity of addiction and problems they encounter to overcome substance use addiction.

Methodology

Research design

The research will be use survey research design. Survey research design is use in most cases because it accords the researcher a chance to interact directly with the study subject thereby capturing important information that may not be captured in  the formal data correction process (Greenberg & Folger, 1988). Survey research design is also appropriate for this study because it become easier to correct data from many subjects therefore increasing the validity and accuracy of the data collected.

Sample and sampling method

This study aims at understand the process of alcohol and substance abuse. It will look into the reason why and how individuals become introduced to alcohol and drug abuse and the conditions that led to their addiction. Therefore, the most appropriate sample to be used in this study includes those individuals who in one way or another suffer from alcohol or substance addition. This study will select samples from rehabilitation centers. The study will selected 3 rehabilitation centers from which 60 participants will be selected. This means that study will select 20 participants from each rehabilitation center. The study will use simple random sampling method. Using this method, participants will be given a fair chance of participating in the study. This will hence reduce biasness in participant selection and increase validity of the data selected.

Data collection tools

One of the most important factor in ensuring validity and accuracy of the collected data is through choosing the right data collection tool for the research design selected. Selection of data collection tool depends on many factors among them the number of participants in the study. Because this study has selected survey research design, it will be appropriate to use a questionnaire (Babbie, 2000).  A questionnaire is also appropriate for the study because of the range of data to be collected. A questionnaire is most appropriate when collecting data from a large sample because they are easier to administer. They are also cheap and hence have cost implication. Questionnaires will also allow for collection of more data and direct interaction between the research and participants. Because of the emotional problems that may be facing the participants of the study, the study will use researcher administered questionnaires.

There are a number of measures that will be included in the question. One of those measures will be addiction severity (ASI) that will be used to measure extent to which participants are addicted to substance abuse (Appley, Dyson, Altman & Luchins, 1997). A series of test on the measure has proved its reliability and validity when used in most studies. This will be used together with Addiction Admission Scale (AAS) developed by Weed et al. in 1989 (Samet et al., 2007). This scale will be used to assess whether participants suffer from alcoholism. To measure the manifestation of depression, 21-items Beck’s Depression inventory developed by Beck et al., 1961 will be used (Radenhausen & Moffet, 1990).

Administration of data collection tools

The process of data collection will begin with drafting of the questionnaire. The questionnaire will be pre-tested in a similar population and necessary revisions made. The next step will be to inquire for permission in the selected rehabilitation centers to carry out the study. Once permission has been granted, researchers will randomly select participants, inform them of the purpose of the research and have them sign informed consent form to be allowed to participate in the study. Questionnaires will then be administered by the research and each questionnaire will take not more than 20 minutes to administer.

Reference:

Appley, L., Dyson, V., Altman, E., & Luchins, D. (1997). Assessing substance use in multi-problem patients: reliability and validity of the addiction severity index in the mental hospital population. Journal of Nervous Mental Disturbance 185(3): 159-165

Babbie, E. (2000). The practices of social research. Thomson Learning

Greenberg, J. & Folger, R. (1988). Controversial issues in social research methods. New York: Springer-Verlag Press

Radenhausen, R. & Moffet, L. (1990). Assessing depression in substance abusers: Beck Depression inventory and SCL-90R.  Addictive Behaviors, 15(2): 179-11

Samet, S., Waxman, R., Hatzenbuehler, M., & Hasin, D. (2007). Assessing addiction: Concepts and instruments.  Addiction Science & Clinical Practices, December 2007