Vaping Among Higher Education Students, Research Paper Example

­­Introduction to the Research Project

The popularity of vaping, i.e., the use of e-cigarettes has drawn the attention of researchers in healthcare. Because much is not known about e-cigarettes and the long-term side effects of vaping, there is a considerable need for further research on the prevalence of vaping amongst higher education students, the underlying trends and habits associated with vaping, as well as its long-term health effects. Taking into consideration vaping is commonly associated with individuals of higher education and income, a study on vaping among higher education students is vital to ensuring the welfare and long-term health of the Arden University community.

Literature Review

While e-cigarettes and vaping are considered a relatively new phenomenon in social circles, its growing use is attributed to the accessibility of information on e-cigarettes across media platforms. Emery, Vera, Huang, and Szczypka (2014) look at the awareness and use of e-cigarettes using a population survey that only comprised adults in the United States. Applying fixed effects logit models the researchers found high levels of e-cigarette and vaping awareness across media channels. Factors that influenced an individuals exposure to e-cigarettes include social media use, time spent online, education level, gender, age and tobacco use (Emery, et al., 2014).

As mentioned before, the health effects associated with the long-term use of e-cigarettes is largely undocumented. However, few studies have conducted research into the issue and provided vital insight on the use and health effects of e-cigarettes. Using a literature review, Callahan-Lyon (2014) found that mouth and throat irritations, as well as dry coughs, are commonly associated with the glycerol and propylene glycol that is commonly found in e-cigarettes. Additionally, the high nicotine content associated with some e-cigarettes increases the health risks to non-users, especially children.

Palazzolo (2013) reviews scientific evidence-based primary literature that deals with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping. In his review of 66 journal articles, he finds four major themes associated with the issue of vaping and the use of e-cigarettes. Most literature has focused on, 1) the attitudes that consumers hold towards vaping, 2) chemical analysis of e-cigarette cartridges, 3) the nicotine content intake, the form of delivery, and pharmacokinetics, as well as, 4) the clinical and psychological impacts associated with the use of e-cigarettes and vaping (Palazzolo, 2013). The study concludes that so far, literature and research finds vaping and e-cigarettes as a harm reduction tool as well as a smoke cessation tool. The efficacy of vaping and e-cigarette use is found to be similar to other FDA approved nicotine replacement therapies.

Using surveys, Leventhal, et al. (2016) attempt to find out whether vaping is associated with a transition to combustible cigarette use or heavy smoking over time. The researchers sought to ascertain the association between vaping and consequent smoking frequency and heaviness. Using generalized estimating equation ordinal logistic regression models, the researchers found that there is a stronger positive correlation between vaping and the frequency and intensity (heaviness) of smoking among nonsmokers than in infrequent and frequent smokers (Leventhal, et al., 2016). For existing adolescent smokers, vaping does not help them reduce smoking. However, the author recognizes the need for further investigation.

Farsalinos, Romagna, Tsiapras, Kyrzopoulos, and Voudris (2014) look at the perceptions that people have concerning the benefits and side effects of vaping and e-cigarette use. Using a global survey of over 190,000 e-cigarette users, the researchers found that the majority (81%) of e-cigarette users had switched from combustible cigarettes (Farsalinos, et al., 2014). Additionally, current combustible cigarette smokers who used vaping had reduced their intake from 20 cigarettes to four cigarettes per day. E-cigarette users who were initially combustible cigarette users were found to be heavier e-cigarette users and more nicotine-dependent compared to e-cigarette users who have not previously consumed combustible cigarettes.

Chatterjee, Alzghoul, Innabi, and Meena (2016) look at whether vaping is a gateway to combustive smoking. Performing a comprehensive literature review, the researchers found that e-cigarettes and vaping are associated with higher consumption of combustible cigarettes. This result was common among longitudinal studies conducted on the e-cigarette use and vaping. The study found that while this trend was predominant in the adult population, adolescents who initially depicted a lower susceptibility to combustible cigarette smoking eventually experienced an increase in susceptibility with the continued use of e-cigarettes and vaping (Chatterjee, et al., 2016).

Methodology

The proposed research study will employ a blend of qualitative and quantitative methods to ascertain the factors that influence vaping or e-cigarette use among higher education students at Arden University. The researchers will use qualitative methods to determine the underlying factors associated with vaping and e-cigarette use. Qualitative methods are inherently designed to discovering so-call rich explanations of this kind (Creswell & Clark, 2017, p. 99). One inherent weakness of qualitative methods is their inability to measure the relationship between two or more variables.

Data Collection

To achieve the research goals and objectives, the proposed study will employ a survey that comprises a series of closed and open-ended questions. The study is expected to encounter one challenge that is associated with obtaining distribution lists for the survey. Because the study employs the student population of Arden University, proper permissions to access a student distribution list will be required from the appropriate authority. Additionally, surveys are associated with a reducing response rate, a factor that may lead to fewer responses than initially expected. However, tailoring the survey to appeal to the target population would significantly mitigate the impact of these challenges on the quality and validity of the research study.

The survey is best suited for the proposed study as it allows the researcher to collect information while having minimal influence on the process. As such, a survey helps secure the reliability and validity of the proposed research study. Additionally, a survey, as a data collection tool, allows for the replication of the same study within a similar or different setting relative to the goal and objectives of the study (Chandra & Sharma, 2013). Additionally, this form of data collection is cost-effective, allowing the researcher to be uninhibited by financial constraints, which also makes it easier to replicate the study in another setting (Cooper & Schindler, 2014). By virtue of being able to collect information from multiple respondents simultaneously, surveys are considered time efficient.

Additionally, questionnaires are designed in a manner that allows the researchers to quantify the results. As such, the qualitative information collected from questionnaires can be quantified to obtain an overview of the opinions and attitudes of respondents (Cooper & Schindler, 2014). The analysis of data and information from questionnaires are more objective and scientific than other forms of research. Finally, questionnaires allow for the anonymity of respondents, allowing the research to adhere to fundamental ethical standards of medical research (Cooper & Schindler, 2014). Questionnaires are also issued to a respondent at their consent to take part in the study, adhering to the rules and regulations that govern evidence-based research methods.

Analysis and Presentation of Primary Data

An excel sheet will be employed as the data presentation and analysis platform. To screen the researcher against the identity of students who participated in the study and protect against bias, the names of the students will be removed. Random numbers will be assigned using the RANDBETWEEN function. To determine the pattern of responses amongst students, the percentage of each response for each question will be calculated. Given no underlying trend is identified, this information will be dismissed. If there is a significant response pattern, it will be useful to create a bar graph that graphically displays the employee response. Furthermore, the percentage of each response per person will be calculated to determine whether the students surveyed answered questions honestly or just selected the same answer to each question to rush through the survey. Although all answers will be treated as a part of the ultimate analysis, it will be useful to determine whether the results will be biased. If the results are biased due to this kind of question response, this issue will be treated in the discussion section.

After this primary analysis of the data has been completed, linear regression will be completed for each question asked. All non-responses will be excluded from this particular analysis. The focus of this study will be to generate the correlation coefficient between the student responses to each question. A correlation coefficient of 0.4 or greater will be considered significant and warrant further analysis.

A secondary analysis of the data will involve the dichotomization of student responses to each question. An answer of never will be coded as 0, while responses for sometimes, usually, and always will be coded as 1. Surveys that were returned without an answer to the question will be randomized to either group to prevent against bias. After dichotomization, any event that never happened will be considered 0 and events that happen at least sometimes will be grouped as well. Student t-tests will be used to compare the mean response between each group. The strength of this association will then be measured using odds ratios.

The primary goal of this data analysis will be to determine if there is a certain relationship between the student response patterns and the use and prevalence of e-cigarette use at Arden University. These tests will all be run a second time to ascertain the quality of the results obtained.

Conclusions

There is little research that shows that impacts and effects that long-term e-cigarettes use and vaping has on an individual’s health. With the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, especially among educated young adults, there is an inherent need to conduct in-depth research on the potential health effects of long-term e-cigarette use. Taking into consideration the use of e-cigarettes has been associated with providing a gateway to combustive cigarette smoking, the significance of the proposed research cannot be understated. It is vital to the health of the Arden University community that an in-depth study is conducted in order to ascertain the risk factors that are associated with e-cigarette use. The potential harm to non-smokers is especially of concern taking into consideration Arden University comprises of a diverse population of young, healthy, and vibrant people. The proposed study seeks to highlight the underlying issues associated with vaping and e-cigarette use within the Arden University community to help the community better address arising health concerns.

Reflective Observation on Team Working

Team working has been an integral aspect of this course, teaching me vital skills required for growth and development in my professional career. One of the most significant lessons learned from team working is communication. Communication is vital to conveying the desired message to the desired or target audience. Taking into consideration the group working process required constant communication among team member, the lessons were transferred to my academic work. I have developed better communication skills because of group working. I am able to better articulate my ideas and pass across my messages in a succinct and accurate manner while keeping the target audience engaged. This has been transferred to the writing process. Writing academic work has become simpler because of group working. Group working has availed a host of strategies employed by the different group members, helping me to refine and better my academic writing skills. Additionally, communication has helped me improve student-student collaboration, a factor that is vital to developing the fundamental skills required to work as a collective unit towards a common goal. The type of teamwork I have experienced during this course has allowed me to introduce a variety of skills that are useful to my future professional career.

References

Callahan-Lyon, P., 2014. Electronic cigarettes: human health effects. Tobacco Control, 23(2), pp. ii36-ii40.

Chandra, S. & Sharma, M. K., 2013. Research methodology. Oxford: Alpha Science International Ltd.

Chatterjee, K., Alzghoul, B., Innabi, A. & Meena, N., 2016. Is vaping a gateway to smoking: a review of the longitudinal studies. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, August.30(3).

Cooper, D. R. & Schindler, P. S., 2014. Business research methods. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Creswell, J. W. & Clark, V. L., 2017. Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.

Emery, S. L., Vera, L., Huang, J. & Szczypka, G., 2014. Wanna know about vaping? Patterns of message exposure, seeking and sharing information about e-cigarettes across media platforms. Tobacco Control, 23(3), pp. iii17-iii25.

Farsalinos, K. E. et al., 2014. Characteristics, Perceived Side Effects and Benefits of Electronic Cigarette Use: A Worldwide Survey of More than 19,000 Consumers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11(4), pp. 4356-4373.

Leventhal, A. M. et al., 2016. Association of e-Cigarette Vaping and Progression to Heavier Patterns of Cigarette Smoking. JAMA, 316(18), pp. 1918-1920.

Palazzolo, D. L., 2013. Electronic cigarettes and vaping: a new challenge in clinical medicine and public health. A literature review. Frontiers in Public Health, November.Volume 56.