Investigation of Factors Motivating Smoking Among College Students in Kuwait

Running head: BUSINESS RESEARCH PROPOSAL
BUSINESS
RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
TOPIC
“Investigation of the factors
motivating smoking among
college students in Kuwait”
Researcher:

BUSINESS RESEARCH PROPOSAL1
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction.............................................................................................................2
1.1 Problem Statement.............................................................................................2
1.2 Rationale for the research...................................................................................2
1.3 Research objectives............................................................................................2
1.4 Factors Identified................................................................................................2
1.5 Research Hypothesis..........................................................................................3
1.6 Definition of terms...............................................................................................3
1.7 Summary including a restatement of problem....................................................4
2.0 Literature review.....................................................................................................5
2.1 Important factors.................................................................................................5
2.2 Current status of the topic...................................................................................6
2.3 Gap analysis.......................................................................................................6
2.4 New Factor..........................................................................................................6
2.5 Human Behaviour Theory...................................................................................6
2.6 Summary.............................................................................................................7
3.0 Research design and Methods...............................................................................8
3.1 Participants and number of samples..................................................................8
3.2 Research design.................................................................................................8
3.3 Data collection plan.............................................................................................8
3.3.1 Survey questions.............................................................................................8
3.4 Reliability and validity of the instruments............................................................9
3.5 Pilot study..........................................................................................................10
3.6 Ethical consideration.........................................................................................10
3.7 Proposed analysis of data.................................................................................10
3.8 Implication and Limitation of the study..............................................................10
4.0 References...........................................................................................................11
5.0 Appendices...........................................................................................................13

BUSINESS RESEARCH PROPOSAL2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Smoking among students in college is a common phenomenon in majority of
higher education institutions. Smoking has been known to negative impact on health
of people resulting in cause of diseases such as oropharynx, oesophagus and
cancer of the lung larynx (Islam et al. 2016). Moreover, it causes chronic obstructive
pulmonary diseases and other diseases. This report proposes to examine the
various factors motivating students in college to smoke so that measures can be
taken to prevent these diseases. There are numerous factors that are expected to
affect the smoking habit and behaviour of the consumers. Previous studies suggest
that parents, classmates and friends have significant role to play in smoking habits of
students in college. Lee, Catley and Harris (2014) conducted a study is Kuwait to
highlight that smoking is widespread among male students and majority of these
respondents started smoking between the age of 15-20 years. Moreover, various
students have tried to quit but they have miserably failed to do so the study aims to
critically evaluate various factors so that an effective program can be developed to
address the issue.
1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Smoking is one of the major issue for the students in college as it results in
chronic pulmonary and other diseases which could be life threatening. However,
there has been significant rise in the number of students smoking in college and
none of the colleges have been able to control this phenomenon. Therefore, this
study aims to bring awareness among the management of different organisations to
make sure that smoking among students in college can be controlled, reduced and
stopped by providing effective guidance to them. Banning of smoking on college
campuses have reduced the number of on campus smokers but violation of the
university policies have been witnessed in various instances.
1.2 RATIONALE FOR THE RESEARCH
The purpose of conducting this study to examine and highlight the changes in
the behavioural patterns among smokers in college. Globalisation and modernization
has significantly changed the dynamics of the society at large and the current
situation needs to be evaluated to prevent chronic diseases and help colleges in
developing strategies to eradicate this major societal issue. It will also facilitate in
choosing a particular college and understand the scenario among those students to
gauge the condition among chosen sample population.
1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the current study are as follows:
 To examine the different factors motivating smoking among college students
in Kuwait
 To recommend suitable strategies to prevent and significantly reduce smoking
among college students
1.4 FACTORS IDENTIFIED
1. Psychological factors
2. Societal factors

BUSINESS RESEARCH PROPOSAL3
3. Family factors
4. Demographic habits
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
It can be seen from past researches that numerous students smoke due to
feeling of depression, acculturative stress and anxiety. Moreover, it is relatively
easier to motivate the college students to smoke due to peer pressure and
encouragement from the students in college. Similarly, psychological factors such as
stress and depression are common factors among students due to the significant
increase in competition and expectation. These factors have been considered as
critical factors responsible for affecting smoking habits of students. Moreover,
various students come from dysfunctional families where they have witnessed their
parents smoking and drinking. These factors affect their choices as they try to imitate
or follow on the footsteps of their parents. Moreover, there are various demographic
which impact the smoking habit of students so the study will also evaluate
demographic factors to understand the impact on smoking habit of students.
H01: Psychological factors, especially stress and depression have no impact on
smoking habits of students in Kuwait University
H11: Psychological factors, especially stress and depression have impact on smoking
habits of students in Kuwait University
H02: Societal factors, especially peer pressure have no impact on smoking habits of
students in Kuwait University
H12: Societal factors, especially peer pressure have impact on smoking habits of
students in Kuwait University
H03: Family factors, such as dysfunctional family and family member’s smoking habit
have no impact on smoking habits of students in Kuwait University
H13: Family factors, such as dysfunctional family and family member’s smoking habit
have impact on smoking habits of students in Kuwait University
H03: Demographic factors have no impact on smoking habits of students in Kuwait
University
H13: Demographic factors have impact on smoking habits of students in Kuwait
University
1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS
 Stress: “A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse
or demanding circumstances”
 Depression: “A feelings of severe despondency and dejection.”
 Dysfunctional family: “A family with multiple 'internal'–eg sibling rivalries,
parent-child– conflicts, domestic violence, mental illness, single parenthood,
or 'external'–eg alcohol or drug abuse, extramarital affairs, gambling,
unemployment—influences that affect the basic needs of the family unit “