Findings From a State Survey of Public High School Students, Essay Example

Abstract

This is a sample abstract to show you how it is formatted. The research for this article was conducted in 9-12 graders Mississippi public schools in the spring of 2003. The students took a Youth Risk Behavior Survey which was designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that contained 87 questions. The student’s academic scores were also obtained from the self reported survey. It was found that about 63% of students reported high grades (mostly As and Bs). In addition, it was found that about 37% reported low grades (Cs, Ds, and Fs). “Low grades were significantly more prevalent among frequent smokers compared to all other students and among current marijuana users compared to nonusers” (Cox, Zhang, Johnson, & Bender, 2007, p.112).  Therefore, from the findings, different approaches need to be implemented that focus on improving “academic success and reduce behaviors that contribute to poor health in adulthood” (Cox et al., 2007, p. 109).

Keywords: adolescents; frequent smoking; binge drinking; marijuana use; survey

Introduction

This section should be one or two paragraphs. You want to develop a strong thesis statement and share your interest in the topic. You could describe the competencies involved and provide a general overview.

Public Health Problem

This section should be one page minimum. This is a background of the public health problem. Now you will delve into the general aspects of the issue, which can include its origins and the need for your project. If you have already studied this issue you should find it relatively easy to complete this section. The next paragraph is an example.

The prevalence of chronic diseases in the United States (U.S.) is growing at a very rapid pace and they are plaguing the population as well as the healthcare system (CDC, 2012).  It is estimated that 50 percent of the U.S. population has at least one chronic disease and of all of the healthcare costs in the nation, approximately 75 percent is spent on treating chronic diseases (CDC, 2013).  Nearly 70 percent of all deaths in the U.S. are a result of chronic diseases and many people are not able to live life to their fullest potential due to disability related to chronic diseases.  The most common chronic diseases are heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer and all of these diseases have the potential to be modified by lifestyle factors such as physical activity, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, obesity, and nutrition (CDC, 2013).

Literature Review

This section should be two to three pages. A literature review is a presentation of a summary of the research you’ve collected. It is not a research report where you simply use information from your sources to complete the section. It is your analysis and summary, with occasional in-text citations. Do not use direct quotes and instead use paraphrased information from your sources so you show you are working with information and not using it. You will demonstrate critical thinking in this section by synthesizing the information you have collected about your chosen topic.  The next paragraph is an example.

Obesity can be linked to a myriad of physiological and pathological changes in the body (Bagi, Feher, & Cassuto, 2012).  Obesity can lead to insulin resistance, which can contribute to the development of diabetes, and diabetes can cause heart disease.  Obesity can also cause high blood cholesterol levels and/or high blood pressure.  Obesity can impair blood flow to the organs of the body causing them to receive reduced levels of oxygen, which is critical for bodily functions such as cardiovascular activity (Bagi, Feher, & Cassuto, 2012).  Abdominal obesity is an especially critical factor when it comes to cardiovascular risk factors (Kwon, 2009).

Data to be Analyzed

This section should be one to two pages. Every project is different but the mini projects and final deliverable must follow this required outline. For your project you must collect some form of data – whether it is peer-reviewed journal articles, statistical data, or any other form of data. The data is what you build the rest of your project from. The next paragraph is an example.

Data pertaining to the prevalence of heart disease and the prevalence of three risk factors, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and overweight/obesity will be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2012). The data to be analyzed will consist of blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and weight change in 5 subjects (subjects A, B, C, D, & E) that have adopted a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle over the past 2 years.  For each of these subjects, no other lifestyle factors changed except the adoption of the WFPB lifestyle. This will be an informal retrospective cohort study.

Data Analysis Methods

This section should be one to two pages. I realize that many of you may have not taken a research class but now is the time to learn if you haven’t. The process being followed is the scientific method of research. Once you collect data you will analyze it. The type of data analysis method used will depend upon the type of data collected. If you have collected qualitative data then you will use qualitative data analysis methods. The same is true for quantitative data collection – you will use quantitative data analysis methods. The next paragraphs are an example.

The data analysis of the raw data collected from subjects A-E will be analyzed using prevalence rates for CHD risk factors at baseline and after two years. In addition, mean calculations for weight loss, blood pressure reduction, and cholesterol lowering will be calculated (Friis & Sellers, 2009).

The studies measuring the effects of a plant-based diet on cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and body weight will be analyzed using descriptive statistical methods as well as analysis of the data and the author’s reported strength of the association between a plant-based diet and risk factors for heart disease.  Tables will be used for visual comparisons (Friis & Sellers, 2009).

Methodology and Approach

This section should be one to two pages. This section causes some confusion because in the final project it blends into the required outline for project sections. This is a very general description of your overall approach.  The next two paragraphs are an example.

The methodology and approach will consist of an observational retrospective cohort study of subjects A-E in which raw data was gathered (Friis & Sellers, 2009). Both a qualitative analysis and a quantitative analysis will be conducted.  The qualitative analysis will discuss each individual’s readiness for change stage at baseline using the Transtheoretical Model and compare that to his/her present readiness for change stage (Friis & Sellers, 2009).

The additional four studies that will be used for data gathering consist of a prospective cohort, two quasi-experimental studies using cases and controls, and data comparison study of several scientific research projects.  For each of these studies a qualitative assessment will be conducted that analyzes self-reporting data and dietary journals kept by some of the participants (Friis & Sellers, 2009).

Expected Outcomes

This section should be one page and list two to five possible outcomes. The next paragraph is an example.

The first expected outcome is to be able to show through the raw data collected that a whole-food, plant-based diet can significantly lower cholesterol levels in less than a year.  A 10% drop in total cholesterol levels would be considered significant.  The next expected outcome, using the same raw data is that the data will show that a plant-based diet can significantly lower blood pressure in those with hypertension over the same periods of time.  A blood pressure reading of 120/80 is the goal.  Furthermore, it is expected that the data will show that a largely plant-based diet can help a person achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, which will be measured by body mass index (BMI).  According to the CDC, body mass index of 18.5 – 24.9 is considered a health for adults (CDC, 2011).

Conclusion

Just include a final wrap-up paragraph that ties all of these sections together in a cohesive manner. This will help students evaluate your project.

References

Cox, R.G., Zhang, L., Johnson, W. D., Bender, D. R., (2007). Academic performance and substance use: Findings from a state survey of public high school students. Journal of School Health, 77(3), 109-115.