Impact of Alcohol on Pregnancy Disorder in Young Age Women

This research proposal examines the impact of alcohol during pregnancy on young age women and evaluates the positive and adverse effects. The study is a qualitative research following the phenomenology approach. Ethnography framework is used as a methodological framework. Sample size is 20 young age women who are pregnant and habitual of alcohol.

Research Methodology 1
Qualitative Research Methodology

Research Methodology 2
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Research title...............................................................................................................................3
Summary......................................................................................................................................3
Background and rationale of research study....................................................................................4
Research questions...........................................................................................................................5
Research aims and objectives..........................................................................................................6
Theoretical framework: Explanatory model of pregnancy disorder................................................6
Research design: Qualitative research design..............................................................................6
Methodological framework: Ethnography framework................................................................7
Research process..........................................................................................................................8
Sampling method and sample size...............................................................................................9
Data collection methods..............................................................................................................9
Data analysis..................................................................................................................................11
Ethical issues.................................................................................................................................12
Limitations of the research study...................................................................................................12
Timeline.........................................................................................................................................13
References......................................................................................................................................14

Research Methodology 3
Introduction
Research title
Topic: “To investigate the Impact of alcohol over the pregnancy disorder in young age women”.
Summary
The main purpose of this research proposal is to examine the impact of alcohol during the
pregnancy. It is focused on evaluating the positive and adverse effect on young age women. It is
also researched that how alcohol might influence the pregnancy disorder in the mature women.
This study is a quantitative research which is following the phenomenology approach in which
the response of participants will be considered as information. In order to fulfill the quantitative
methodology, young age women will be the respondents over the research problem so that the
experience of women can be absorbed for data and decision purpose.

Research Methodology 4
Background and rationale of research study
The consumption of alcohol is increasing as the more and more adult people have been addicted
but at the same time, women are also indulging into the consumption of alcohol at the time of
pregnancy. It is also revealed that 15% of pregnant women are consuming alcohol. Along with
this, the rate of consumption is also increasing with the 20% (Davies, et al. 2017). If women use
the drug during the pregnancy than it might be resulted into the negative impact over the young
age women’s health and baby as well. At the same time, it is also revealed that the drinking
during pregnancy, can be resulted into the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the women can
face the problem at the time of baby birth. Moreover, the alcohol consumption number of women
during the pregnancy is increasing at it the 10.2% women drunk alcohol in the past 25-30 days.
At the same time, pregnant women drunk 4.6 times in the past 30 days as compared to the non –
pregnant women as the non-pregnant women reported as 3.1 times drink in the past 30 days.
Moreover, 3.3 million from the age group of 15 to 44 years are at risk for the unintentional
exposure the new born baby (Oh, Gonzalez, Salas-Wright, Vaughn, and DiNitto, 2017). Due to
the alcohol, several women might lead towards the pregnancy disorder as they might lose the
control over pregnancy. Drinking during the childbearing age has become a public health issue
for the common public and drinking is also not uncommon in the young ladies so the study is
accessed for determining the impact of alcohol. In relation to this, the alcoholic women who are
pregnant, they might face the problem of fetal syndrome system. In relation to this, the alcohol
might also influence the first pass metabolism, and the higher consumption of alcohol might also
impact the dehydrogenase in the gastric mucosa of women body. On the other hand, the fetal
system in body is directly related to the diagnostic criteria and facial features (Lange,et al. 2017).
Apart from this, the higher consumption of alcohol might also leads towards the physical and
psychological impact over the young age women. The physical problem might occur as sexually
transmitted infections that might impact the pregnancy. In addition to this, miscarries might also
occur. Moreover, the physical risks are also as seizures, malnutrition and cancer of the mouth,
breast and esophagus (Eilertsen, et al. 2017). On the other hand, the psychological problem
might also occur as anxiety, depression, sexual assault, disability in work and domestic violence.
Over this, it is also researched that the alcohol consumption impacts the body differently to each

Research Methodology 5
young women and men. The young age women in influenced from the drinking during
pregnancy but at the same time, new born baby might also be influenced from the higher
consumption of alcohol. In relation to this, the body part as brain, spinal cord and metabolism
can also be impacted in significant manner. It is also determined that the many new born babies
might also die due to the adverse impact in their heart, kidney and lings. With relation to this, the
central nervous system might also be influenced that affects the problem like sleep, arousal,
hyperactivity, memory deficit and cognitive impairment can also affect the body of young age
women.
Over the research, it can also be introduced that the pregnancy is a major part of the women life
so there are several diagnosis are available for the women to control the consumption of alcohol.
This research is rationale for the researcher to quest for the in-depth and practical knowledge
about the research issue. In relation to this, it is justified that the chosen research problem is
really becoming serious in our societies as young age women are getting addicted for alcohol and
it affecting the new born baby and the mother as well so it has become a situation to understand
the adverse impact of alcohol. In order to solve the problems, the research investigation is carried
out with the support of qualitative evaluation (Gentile, 2017). This study is justified and rationale
for the students in order to explore the new knowledge about the impact of alcohol over the
pregnant women. In addition to this, this investigation is also crucial for the future researcher to
carry out and take information from the research which might be value additive for the solution
of concerned research investigation.
The qualitative and quantitative studies investigations for the young age women who consume
the drink in order to provide the better solution for less or controlled drinking of alcohol. Over
the results, the major focus on reducing the alcohol consumption might not revealed. Thus, the
main aim of this study is to determine the impact of alcohol over the pregnancy disorder in
young age women.
Research questions
The research questions have been developed in order to carry out the investigation for a justified
research study.
Q.1. How the alcohol influences the fetal and metabolism system in the young age women?

Research Methodology 6
Q.2. How the alcohol can affect the internal body of young age women in relation to occur the
pregnancy disorders?
Q.3. What are the protective measures that can be taken to control the drinking of alcohol by
young age women?
Research aims and objectives
The main aims and objectives of this research study are explored to investigate
1. To investigate how the metabolism and fetal syndrome system of young age women is
impacted.
2. To determine the adverse impact of alcohol over the pregnancy disorder in young age
women.
3. To examine the protective actions that can be taken for safe baby birth.
Theoretical framework: Explanatory model of pregnancy disorder
In order to carry out this research investigation, explanatory research theory is employed so that
the understanding about the pregnancy disorder due to the drinking alcohol occurs. It is
important to understand how young women influenced from the alcohol consumption.
Explanatory model is developed for the development of research in detailed and in- depth
manner (Guertin, Barbeau, Pelletier and Martinelli, 2017). This model will also elaborate the
how the human body is influenced from the alcohol consumption and what actions should be
taken to come out from this disease.
Research design: Qualitative research design
In order to make a make plan for the collection of relevant information about the research issue,
it is essential for the researcher to design an effective and appropriate research methodology. In
this part, the researchers use different methods, approaches and data collection methods are
discussed that can be used in data collection process during investigating the research issue
(Lewis, 2015). From the different researches as well as studies, it is observed that research
design is one of the most significant part of research study, which is used to design the entire
structure or format for the research in which the research can be done in the most effective as
well as efficient manner. The research design is basically a strategy, which is used to promote or

Research Methodology 7
define the blueprint for different data collection methods as well as for data analysis. The various
types of data are typically collected from different resources as per the requirements of the
research project (Maxwell, 2012). There are two types of research designs i.e. qualitative
research design and quantitative research design. The qualitative research design is an effective
way of analyzing the arguments of different scholars and opinions, feelings, shared views and
attitude of the research participants regarding the research issue. In qualitative research design,
non-measurable data are used to obtain the reliable research outcomes (Meyers et al., 2016).
Further, qualitative research design is also used for finding the best possible solution for the
problems or issues which have been observed within the research study and these are also
aligned with the objectives which are developed for the research study. On the other hand, the
qualitative research design leads to analysis of different hypothetical data and measurable data
are used to obtain the research outcomes. As well as, different statistical data are used by the
researchers to analyze the collected data. This is also generally related to different figures or
facts in order to interpret the best possible outcomes or results for the overall research study or
project (Mitchell and Jolley, 2012). The research study is based on the existence and behavior of
the young age women in pregnancy while using alcohol. In this concern, the researcher will use
qualitative data to analyze the impact of alcohol over the pregnancy disorder in young age
women.
Methodological framework: Ethnography framework
Ethnography framework is considered as a methodological framework, which can be used by the
researchers to investigate a qualitative research study. It is a contextual method for qualitative
research designs as it provides holistic understanding about participants or events in setting of
the research study. According to Padilla et al., (2015), ethnography framework is not only
helpful in understanding the human experiences but also helpful in delivering necessitate of
humanity. In this concern, ethnography framework also provides deep understanding about the
behaviour and attitude of the individuals and provides better opportunities to discover the new
ways for the pregnant ladies to improve their health and well-being (Koskinen, 2014). As well
as, the researcher will be able to identify better ways of reducing the habit of alcohol during
pregnancy. Fundamentally, an ethnographer obtains the information in the ethnography research
through implementation of different methods (Higginbottom et al., 2013). In addition,
ethnography research studies rely on the ethnographer to observe routine activities of the

Research Methodology 8
research participants for an extended period of time by listening to them, looking at them and
asking them a query (Carroll et al., 2011). In this concern, the information is collected with
proper focus on the research problem. Besides the field work is also considered as an essential
part of ethnographic research. Field work provides a consequential and contextual understanding
about the human relationship. Since the main objective of this research study is to examine the
perception, attitude, knowledge and behaviour of women about the use of alcohol during the time
of pregnancy (Carspecken, 2013). In this concern, ethnography framework will be helpful for the
researcher in attaining the research objectives in more meaningful manner.
Research process
Research participants:
The research study will be conducted on the pregnant women who have admitted in The Royal
Women’s Hospital and habitual of alcohol. An interview will be conducted with these women
with structured and open-ended questions. The women aged between 21 to 40 years will be
selected for this research study.
Recruitment process:
In order to accomplish the ethnography research study in a realistic and viable manner, entire
process will be conducted in a systematic way (Taylor et al., 2015). At the initial stage, different
recruitment procedures will be held. During the collection of data, at first the gatekeeper of The
Royal Women’s Hospital will get in touch to take permission to conduct the research issue. The
gatekeeper will inform to the management of the hospital about this research study and provide
permission to enter in the staff and meet with the female pregnant women. The positive response
from the management of The Royal Women’s Hospital will allow the researcher to commence
the investigation. In this process, the research participants will be selected on basis of different
criteria such as age, gender and ethnic group to cover an effective range of research participants.
After that, the research participants will be selected purposively with the help of the supervisors
or the leaders in the hospital. After the selection of research participants a written consent form
will be filled to introduce the research participants about the purpose of the research study. This
consent form will provide confidentiality to the research participants that the information
collected from the research participants will not be used for another purpose and their

Research Methodology 9
authenticity will not be disclosed among others. The consent form will be helpful for the research
participants in getting information about the nature and purpose of the research study. The
confidentiality of maintaining personal information will create interest in the research
participants to provide appropriate information about the research issue (Nishimura et al., 2013).
In addition, the research participants will have freedom to breach the signed consent form at any
time of the research study. In this concern, each aspect of the research participants will be
considered during the research process to improve the authenticity of the research outcomes.
Sampling method and sample size
The research study is based on purposive sampling method or non-probability sampling method
as it is deliberated for the selection of specific individuals to gain appropriate information and
improve the authenticity of the research outcomes (Suresh and Chandrashekara, 2012). In
addition, the non- probability sampling method helpful in providing in-depth understanding
about the research study. The sampling process is much flexible so that the number of research
participants will not be known (Baltar and Brunet, 2012). As well as, the research study is
qualitative so that it is not necessary to have a fixed number of research participants. Due to the
sensitivity of the research study, it will be difficult to locate the number of respondents. In this
concern, a small number of research participants will be selected to accomplish the research
study in reliable manner. In this concern, the theory of saturation will be used in this research
study in which the number of research participant remains unidentified (Walker, 2012).
However, 20 research participants will be selected to begin the ethnographic methodological
framework during fieldwork.
Data collection methods
In a research study, it is essential for a researcher to select an appropriate method of data
collection. In this section, different important aspects are elucidated using sampling and
population, different types of data as well as various methods used to collect the data in effective
manner (Bohl et al., 2014). On the basis of different collected data, analysis for data will be done
using different statistical tools in order to interpret useful information that can be used for further
studies. There are majorly two types of data collection methods i.e. primary data collection
methods and secondary data collection method (Geers et al., 2011). Under the primary data
collection method, the data are collected directly from the research participants through

Research Methodology 10
interview and survey strategy. On the other hand, the primary data collection method is used by
the researcher to collect the data from already published content such as journals, articles,
newspapers and books. In this research study, interview strategy will be used to collect the
primary data. As well as, the primary data will be used to support the primary data in effective
manner (Rhodes et al., 2014). In addition, the field work is also an essential part of ethnography
research studies as it is helpful in for the ethnographers to encounter with the civilization in way
of vision sound thought and action which recommends them in writing attractive text.
In-depth interview
During the process of interview the personal information of the respondents will be disclosed
with prior sign of consent form. After the sign on consent form, the researcher will conduct
interview with the research participants for one to two hours to attain entire essential information
from the respondent (Liddy et al., 2011). The location of the interview will be selected by the
respondent. There will be an interview guide to ensure that entire required questions are asked
with the research participants. The interview will be started with some introductory or opening
questions about the research participants. The opening questions will be related to history of the
using alcohol and general discussion about the research participant’s health (Palinkas et al.,
2015). The questions will be asked in understandable language of the research participants and
no any hearth touching or sentimental questions will be asked as it may hamper the research
process and increase the timing of the interview. The main focus of the interview is to gain
understanding about the impact of using alcohol on health of pregnant women. The next part of
the interview will address the questions related to the views of the women about the use of
alcohol after getting pregnancy. In this concern, the aim of the interview is to investigate the
understanding and experience of the research participants for use of alcoholic products during
pregnancy. In third section of the interview, the researcher will look on decision making process
from the perspectives of research participants (Hair et al., 2015). Before, interview finishing the
interview process, the research participants will be invited to provide own opinions on further
improvement of the research issue in proper manner. At the end of interview process, member
checking method will be used to provide a copy of interview transcript to each of the research
participant.
Interview guide

Research Methodology 11
In this research study, an interview guide will be developed to ensure that entire issues are
covered during the interview.
Field work
In this research field work will be initiated by stepping into cultural or social circumstances
during the use of alcohol of pregnant women and to explore the attitude and perception of the
participants. Field work will be helpful in observing and describing the behaviour and attitude of
the research participants in effective manner (Lynch, 2017).
Participation observation
It is an effective qualitative method of collecting appropriate data that are crucial for the
ethnography research studies. This method will be helpful in obtaining the primary data from the
research participants. Under this method, the ethnographer turns into the part of the cultural
environment.
Field notes
The documentation of the observation and experience during the participation is called as field
notes. These notes will be documented quickly after the observation and participation.
Data analysis
Under the data analysis part, the collected data are analysed to conclude the research outcomes in
more reliable manner. There are different ways of analysing the collected data. The major
methods of analysing the collected data are statistic analysis, thematic analysis, SPSS analysis
and mathematical analysis. In this research study, thematic analysis tool will be used to analyse
the collected data and obtain research outcomes in more realistic manner. The recording of
interview will be transcribed to enable the data for proper analysis (Riff et al., 2014). The
transcribed data will be read and analysed to find out different themes that have risen during the
process of coding. Mainly, there are four levels of coding through which the qualitative data can
be analysed in effective manner. These levels are open or descriptive coding, interpretive coding,
focused coding and selective coding. Descriptive coding is the initial phase of coding in which
the data are sorted and organized in presentation for focused coding, where the codes will be

Research Methodology 12
used to develop a sense of the collected data. After that, the axial coding will be used to organize
the codes and organize them to found the links between the data (Grbich, 2012). In next phase,
the selective coding is occurred to analyse the data to identify the themes and make fundamental
relationship, expand theoretical assemble and draw a valid conclusion.
Ethical issues
The ethics are considered as rules and regulations that administer the research practices in
professional manner. In this concern, the ethics are helpful in developing the moral standards for
the conducted research study. If, the ethics are ignored than it will impact on dignity and value of
the research study (Harriss and Atkinson, 2011). Therefore, ethics plays an essential role in the
qualitative research studies to explore the truth, avoid errors, develop public support, respect
social responsibility and honour the human rights. In this regard, the research study will follow
knowledgeable consent justice and anonymity.
In this research study, the personal information of the research participants will be secured and
not disclosed in front of others to reduce the issues from the research participants. Prior
permission from the administration department of the hospital will be taken to eliminate the
future concerns from the hospital (Silverman, 2016). In addition, the research study will not pose
any biological or physical threat to the research participants. The participants will be informed
about the purpose of the research study through a proper signed consent form from the research
participants.
Limitations of the research study
It is not possible to include entire aspects of the research issue in a specific research study. In this
concern, there will be some possibility of limitations for each of the research study. The first
limitation of this research study is time limitation and budget for interview and fieldwork that
restricts to access of the data. In addition, if the gatekeeper of the hospital not provides
permission to enter in the hospital for the purpose of the research study than the research study
cannot be initiated. In addition, the research study is associated to a small number of research
participants so that it is enable to provide an accurate conclusion of the research study. In

Research Methodology 13
addition, the research study is related to a specific issue of a health concern in pregnant ladies so
that it cannot be used for support of other subjective matter in other field of the research studies.
Timeline
In order to accomplish each of the research activity, in a specified time, it is essential to make a
time line in which each of the research activity will be accomplished in proper manner. The
timeline for the research study is as below:
Activity Duration Date
Preparation of Literature review 3 months November 2018 – January 2018
Presentation of the research proposal 1 month February 2019
Ethical approval for the research 2 months March 2019 – April 2019
Data collection process 3 months May 2019 – July 2019
Analysis of the collected data 3 months August 2019 – October 2019
Write up report 1 months November 2019
Submission 1 month December 2019

Research Methodology 14
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