Data Collection Methods
Data collection methods are essential in research. The data collection methods act as directives for researchers to know how and when the collected data can be used in research findings. They also enhance the effectiveness of research by providing critique for the investigators to tackle and give efficient conclusions and results. The paper discusses the data collection process among secondary school students aged 14-18 years, engaging in substance abuse, and the appropriate data collection method to use.
Population and Health Need
The focus is on high school students aged between 14 to 18 years old. Statistics have shown that the number of high school students using alcohol and other substances keeps on increasing. In the United States, mental health issues among adolescents aged 12 to 18 years are prevalently high compared to before. An approximation of the same number might increase if the problem is not taken carefully (Lipari et al., 2016). Secondary school students at the age of 14-18 years mostly face mental issues based on their emotions and behaviors. A study conducted an interview on this age group to investigate if such students receive treatment for their mental problems.
Most secondary students at this age gap are prone to peer pressure and adolescent changes that might lead to negative impacts if not controlled. Students get to interact with each other at different levels and meet new colleagues. This is whereby they begin to join various school clubs and others outside the school. In the process, some get to indulge in substance abuse that later triggers their emotions and behaviors, leading to mental health issues, thus affecting their general academic performance.
Data Collection Method; Interview
The secondary school students are an essential and delicate group of the population. This is because they are more knowledgeable and have prior information; because they are either affected indirectly or directly. Therefore, the interview will be the most suitable method to use. The students will be interviewed using the open-ended question to allow them to explore their views and ideas based on what they have seen, experienced, and observed among them regarding the issue of mental health and substance abuse (Paradis et al., 2016). This will give a clear insight into what is going on as there will be diverse opinions and views from them.
Data Type: Qualitative
Collecting qualitative data is vital in this group because it will help investigate the phenomenon in question. Qualitative, tend to incite deep into the real issue and provide rich, in-depth information that assists in knowing why a particular problem occurs (Bowler et al., 2018). For instance, in this circumstance, it is essential to point out why these students need access to mental health and assistance with substance abuse, especially among teens. Qualitative data will give specific reasons that have been only identified by the students, teachers, and their randomly selected parents. Qualitative data enables the collection of realistic and conceptual information because it comes directly from the participant facing the issue (Bowler et al., 2018). Therefore, it attempts to verify and sample only that which is needed and relevant to the study.
Health Indicators
A recent survey conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2018 show the prevailing rate at which those aged between 12 to 18 years are more exposed to substance use and mental issues (Welty et al., 2019). The number keeps rising each year, putting pressure on mental health institutions and counseling organizations to help reduce the number. In the United States, the survey shows that by the end of the first month in 2018, almost 164.8 million; aged between 12 and above were under substance use such as illicit drug, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking (Welty et al., 2019).
The current survey also showed a higher number of secondary students and youths who are suicidal due to depression and the effects of substance use. Most of those involved in substance use, such as tobacco use, are mainly students who also sell them. All these occur in the local areas where businesses are being conducted with no attempt to help stop teens from using substances. The number of those who seek mental health increases with a higher percentage showing that the secondary students are at a higher level of accessing mental health as long as the abuse of substance use is not solved.
Research Questions
The qualitative data type chosen for this group excites the frequency of questions that can help solve the issue of substance abuse in teens and mental health access. Some of these questions will be; do the students acknowledge the impacts
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