Developing a Research Proposal

Running Head: DEVELOPING RESEARCH PROPOSAL 5 1

DEVELOPING RESEARCH PROPOSAL 5 6

Developing Research Proposal 5

Name

Institution

PART ONE:

Questionnaire

This researcher-made questionnaire assesses the dependent and independent variables affecting the drug industry. The variables measured in this questionnaire include demography, drug market distribution, legal restrictions, and resource allocation.

Name: _____________________________ (optional)

A. Background Information

1. Tick your appropriate age bracket	(less than 22)	(23-28)	(29-39)	Above 40
2. Tick the your appropriate race	American	Asian	Black	(Specify any other)
3. Choose your appropriate religious affiliation.	Christian	Muslim	Buddhist	Atheist	Other (Specify)
4. Choose an appropriate approximation of your annual income.	(less than $1000)	($1000-$9999)	($10000-$29999)	($30000-$49999)	Above $50000
5. If you have, please specify illegal drugs you have ever consumed. (Otherwise leave blank)
6. Have you ever been arrested for illegal drug consumption? (Tick as appropriate)	Yes	No
7. Have you ever been arrested for drug dealing? (Tick where appropriate).	Yes	No
8. Have you ever been arrested for any other crime? (Tick where appropriate)	Yes	No

B. General Perspective

This section sets to determine your general opinion about drug trafficking and does not necessarily rely on your experience or lack thereof on the same.

1. Are drug traffickers rich? Yes No

2. Would you consider being a drug trafficker? Yes No

3. Why or why not? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Rate the factors that motivate drug trafficking from one to five (Where 5 is the factor with the highest motivation).

Peer pressure Lenient Laws Money Other crimes Social Status

5. What is the greatest motivation of illegal drug consumption? ______________________________________________________________________

6. Which social class consumes drugs most? The Rich Middle Class The Poor

7. Which is the most essential resource in drug trafficking?

8. Do you think law enforcers are involved in drug trafficking? Yes No

9. Are government measures effective in eradicating drug trafficking? Yes No

10. What drugs should be legalized in the country? _________________________________

11. What legal drugs should be illegalized?

Salvia Incense Amyl Nitrate (Poppers) Bath Salt

Preliminary Pretest of the Questionnaire

I conducted the preliminary pretest on two subjects, Julian and Abby (names imposed), and their reaction to my open-ended probes varied. Julian implied that drug traffickers are rich, but she could not verify her statements with absolute certainty. Her assumptions come from literature such as movies and novels. Despite her insufficient or inaccurate knowledge, Julian stated if given a chance, she could venture into drug trafficking due to its lucrativeness. I proceeded to probe her about her perspective on the legal system and she stated that she has no faith in it whatsoever.

On the other hand, Abby was biased against drug trafficking. She stated that not everyone who ventures in it ends up rich or successful, and the few that do never have the chance to enjoy their wealth. According to her, the risk far outweighs the reward since it would entail trading one’s life for money. Abby is also open to the fact that there are rogue cops, but she believes the eventually the law always wins. All she could think of while answering these probes was her close acquaintance whom she presumed was murdered by a drug cartel for failing to deliver drugs safely across the airport.

I, therefore, trust that this questionnaire is fundamental in the research on drug trafficking. It will also be influential in the eventual eradication of the vice.

Cover Letter on Research Ethics

This statement outlines the guidelines for the responsible execution of my research. It is also a guarantee that the research will ensure utmost ethical standards for the human subjects (Harris, 2010).

Honesty

The procedures, methods, report data, results and publication will be truthful, with no falsified, fabricated, or misrepresented data.

Integrity

The research will uphold high levels of sincerity living up to our promises and agreements to the human subject.

Carefulness

The research will critically and carefully examine all data and maintain accurate records of the research activities to prevent issues rising from negligence and careless errors.

Non-discrimination

The research will not discriminate individuals or information on the basis of ethnicity, race, sex, or other factors unrelated to their integrity or scientific competence.

Legality

The research will obey relevant governmental laws and institutional policies while conducting their research. We will also obtain relevant documentation or approvals for activities.

Protection of Human Subjects

The research will strive to minimize risks and harm on human subjects, respect their privacy or autonomy, and respect their dignity as they maximize benefits.

PART TWO:

I will use participant observation for the proposed study. Although this approach is riskier, it has the advantage of obtaining accurate data from firsthand experience other than narratives. Furthermore, the questionnaire provides the basic information so intensive interview would provide me with data I already have.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has a task force in Wall Street due to the rampant cases of illegal drugs in the region. Since the task force is based in a police precinct, it is a safe site to conduct the research. The site contains all the data on the variables outlined in the research, making it a fundamental instrument in the achievement of the set objectives.

I would strive to be a files manager because this would give me access to past and present information. Due to the sensitivity of such information, the challenge would be obtaining the necessary clearance. It is, therefore, imperative to develop and maintain relations so as to build trust. I can achieve this by being diligent in my initial roles, respecting my colleagues, and observing high levels of integrity.

Sampling Issues

There is the possibility of a sampling error and bias in the analysis and conclusions of the research. The population sample focuses primarily on residents within the jurisdiction of Wall Street, and their demographic characteristics may differ significantly from the general population. The response of the Drug Enforcement Administration may change in the presence of a researcher obfuscate the files, or redact relevant information, making my analysis obsolete.

Overview of Data Collection Procedure

I will collect the data from the files when I am not actively engaged in any responsibilities. I will first categorize the data into demographic characteristics such as age, race, ethnicity, residence, and religion. I will then look into the history of the drug traffickers such as their economic background, their social status at the time of the arrest, and their involvement in other crimes. I will then look into their prosecution and compare their sentencing to the drugs they dealt. Their statements will also reveal whether they involved any law enforcers in their activities.

Reference

Harris, A. (2010). The Ethics and Confidentiality Committee and Research Ethics Committees.

Research Ethics, 6(4), 117-119.