Exploring Quantitative Research Methods in Social Science: Study on Health Issues and Alcohol Consumption

This study explores the impact of alcohol consumption on health issues through quantitative research methods in social science. It includes a sample size of 10617, percentage of people who drink alcohol, highest education level, marital status, and more. The study also identifies that women consume more alcohol than men and that there is a moderate relationship between age, household income, and alcohol consumption.

FHS215 Exploring quantitative research
methods in the Social Science

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Sample size..................................................................................................................................3
% of people drink alcohol............................................................................................................3
% of women in sample................................................................................................................4
Highest education level................................................................................................................5
% of separated or divorces people...............................................................................................7
% of white people........................................................................................................................7
Central tendency of household size.............................................................................................8
Central tendency of age at last birthday....................................................................................10
CROSS TABULATION................................................................................................................11
Which sex drinks alcohol more.................................................................................................11
Which region drinks alcohol most.............................................................................................12
CORRELATION...........................................................................................................................13
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................15
Implication.................................................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
Recommendations......................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
In England, majority of the people faces different health issues because it affect their
mental health as well. Like, obesity is one of the major health issue faced by all age group and
now most of them are faces issue regarding their mental and physical health because of over
consumption of alcohol as compared to healthy products. Thus, the present study also assist to
determine which factors have a direct impact over the health and that is why, a survey has been
conducted which mainly focus on different health issues each year. Under the data set, sample
has selected from population where questions related to smoking, drinking and fruit consumption
has asked which in turn assist to determine the views. Also, by using central tendency, report
will determine the age last birthday and by applying inferential statistics, the report will ascertain
the relationship between variables and identify which factor affect the people views.
Sample size
For the present study, 10617 general population has been chosen which in turn help to
meet the defined aim. The same has chosen by using random sampling method which in turn
determine the opinion towards the set objectives.
% of people drink alcohol
Whether drink nowadays
Frequency Percent
Valid
Yes 6712 63.2
No 1822 17.2
Total 8534 80.4
Missing
Refusal 20 .2
Item not
applicable 2063 19.4
Total 2083 19.6

Total 10617 100.0
As per the above table, it has been identified that majority of the selected candidates
drink alcohol such that out of 100%, 63.2% of them stated yes and only 17.2% of them stated no
they do not drink. However, small amount of them stated that they do not know about anything.
% of women in sample
Sex
Frequency Percent

Male 4852 45.7
Female 5765 54.3
Total 10617 100.0
As per the above graph, it has been identified that majority of the selected participants are
women because out of 100%, 54.3% of them are females and only 45.7% of them are males.
Highest education level
(D) Highest Educational Qualification
Frequency Percent

Valid
NVQ4/NVQ5/Degree or
equiv 2008 18.9
Higher ed below degree 948 8.9
NVQ3/GCE A Level
equiv 1248 11.8
NVQ2/GCE O Level
equiv 1803 17.0
NVQ1/CSE other grade
equiv 395 3.7
Foreign/other 127 1.2
No qualification 2037 19.2
Total 8566 80.7
Missing Not applicable 2051 19.3
Total 10617 100.0

From the selected candidates, it has been identified that the highest level of education is
NVQ4/5 where around 2008 candidates belongs to. Moreover, 2051 of them are not applicable
which means they either do not know their education background or not want to share. Apart
from this, 19.2% of them stated that they do not have any qualification and only 17% of them
studied equal to O level.
% of separated or divorces people
(D) Marital status including cohabitees
Frequency Percent

Separated 224 2.1
Divorced 594 5.6
Total 818
Separated Divorced
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
224
594
As per the above graph, it has been identified that 5.6% of the total selected sample size
are divorced and only 2.1% of them are separated.
% of white people
Ethnic origin of individual
Frequency Percent
White -
English/Welsh/Scottish/
Northern Irish/British
8671 81.7
White - Irish 84 .8

White - Gypsy or Irish
Traveller 4 .0
Any other white
background 496 4.7
White and Black
Caribbean 50 .5
White and Black African 26 .2
White and Asian 64 .6
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
8671
84 4 496 50 26
In accordance with the above table, it has been identified that from the total population,
81.7% of them are White English people and 0.8% of them are White-Irish. However, around
only 4 out of 10617 are White- Gypsy or Irish Traveller and 4.7% of them are belong to any
other white background. Moreover, 0.5% of the total population are White and Black Caribbean
and 0.2% of them are White and Black African whereas 0.6% of them are White and Asian.
Therefore, it has been reflected that majority of the selected participants are White people.
Central tendency of household size
Statistics
(D) Household size
N Valid 10617
Missing 0

Mean 2.85
Median 3.00
Mode 2
Range 9
Minimum 1
Maximum 10
In accordance with the above table and graph, it has been interpreted that the average
number of household size is 3 whereas 50% of them stated that each individual have 3 rooms.
Whereas, majority of them stated that 2 BHK is the household size of all the selected individual.
In accordance with the above, all the selected respondents have at least one room and it can be
varying by 10.

Central tendency of age at last birthday
Statistics
Age last birthday
N Valid 10617
Missing 0
Mean 41.56
Median 42.00
Mode 42a
Range 100
Minimum 0
Maximum 100
a. Multiple modes exist. The
smallest value is shown

According to the above table, it has been interpreted that most of them selected
candidates celebrated their last birthday at the age of 42 whereas mean age last birthday of all the
chosen participants is 42. However, around 50% of the selected candidate also stated that their
age was 42 when they last celebrated their birthday.
CROSS TABULATION
Which sex drinks alcohol more
Sex * Whether drink nowadays Crosstabulation
Count
Whether drink
nowadays
Total
Yes No
Sex Male 3172 605 3777
Female 3540 1217 4757
Total 6712 1822 8534
In accordance with the above chi-square test, it has been interpreted that around 3540
from the total population stated that they drink alcohol. Whereas, 3172 males stated that they
drink alcohol but on the other side, only 605 of them also stated that they do not drink alcohol.
Apart from this, 1217 females out of 4757 stated that they do not drink now a days. Overall, it
can be stated that from the total selected sample size 4757 females actually drink alcohol and
3777 males admitted the same. Hence, it can be stated that only female participants drink alcohol
more as compared to males.
Which region drinks alcohol most
Ethnic origin of individual * Whether drink nowadays Crosstabulation
Count

Whether drink
nowadays
Total
Yes No
Ethnic origin of
individual
White -
English/Welsh/Scottish/
Northern Irish/British
5925 1219 7144
White - Irish 62 15 77
White - Gypsy or Irish
Traveller 2 1 3
Any other white
background 326 88 414
White and Black
Caribbean 23 3 26
White and Black African 8 2 10
White and Asian 17 13 30
Any other
mixed/multiple ethnic
background
18 13 31
Indian 100 105 205
Pakistani 6 134 140
Bangladeshi 5 41 46
Chinese 26 8 34
Any other Asian
background 52 45 97
African 46 72 118
Caribbean 53 25 78
Any other
Black/African/Caribbean
background
18 4 22
Arab 4 17 21
Any other ethnic group
(please describe) 11 15 26
Total 6702 1820 8522
As per the cross tabulation method, it has been identified that from all the ethnic group,
White-English or Northern Irish are drinking alcohol the most because from 7144 White people
5925 of them admitted that they drink alcohol and only 1219 of them stated that they do not

drink alcohol. Also, other white background people also drink alcohol because out of 414, 326 of
them stated that they drink but 88 of them do not drink. Also, the least group who drink alcohol
are White-Gypsy or Irish Traveller because only 2 of them stated yes and 1 of them stated no
because small number of white people selected for the study. Hence, it has been identified that as
per the ethnic group, only White people group are the highest people who actually drinks alcohol
the most.
CORRELATION
Correlations
Age last
birthday
Sex (D) Total
Household
Income
Whether drink
nowadays
Age last birthday
Pearson Correlation 1 .033** .050** .069**
Sig. (2-tailed) .001 .000 .000
N 10617 10617 10302 8534
Sex
Pearson Correlation .033** 1 .005 .116**
Sig. (2-tailed) .001 .630 .000
N 10617 10617 10302 8534
(D) Total Household
Income
Pearson Correlation .050** .005 1 .073**
Sig. (2-tailed) .000 .630 .000
N 10302 10302 10302 8259
Whether drink nowadays
Pearson Correlation .069** .116** .073** 1
Sig. (2-tailed) .000 .000 .000
N 8534 8534 8259 8534
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
In accordance with the above correlation table, it has been identified that there is a lower
association between age last birthday and gender because 0.33 indicate that there are minor
changes identified over variable. Also, moderate relationship is identified between age last
birthday and total household income which reflected that if the age of people is high then the
household income will be high. Moreover, there is a moderate relationship identified over age
last birthday and whether drink now a days because if the age of people is high then their
drinking habits may also affected either positively or negatively.

In addition to this, the relationship between sex and total household income is lower or
negligible which means that there is no impact over the income of people and that is why, the
value is reflected low. Further, the table also reflected that there is a lower relationship between
sex and drink now a days because the value is lower i.e. only 11.6% changes identified over
variables.
Through the table, it has further identified that there is a moderate relationship between
total household income and whether people drink nowadays. It is such that around 73% chances
of dependency over variables and that is why, there is a major change identified over people
drink now a days because if the household income is high then the chances of drink alcohol will
be increases. Apart from this, it can be stated that null hypothesis is rejected in all cases except
total household income and sex whereas there is a strong dependency over independent variable
because the value of p is lower than 0.05 (standard criteria). That is why, a changes identified
over other in order to ascertain the dependency.
DISCUSSION
The overall primary data reflected that the chances of consuming alcohol among women
is high as compared to men because majority of them stated yes. However, in 2019 it was found
that 40% of the men and only 20% of women consume alcohol which somehow affect their
health (Alcohol statistics, 2021). Also, as per the official statistics, majority of the population
reflected that they usually drink alcohol once or twice a week (Fan and et.al., 2021). Therefore,
as per the secondary source it affects the physical health of individual adversely such that this
lead to increase high blood pressure and somehow lead to increases death rate as well. Also, in
UK it is illegal to serve alcohol to the minor people but most of the children also intake alcohol.
As per the official website of government, in England and Wales, provision data shows that in
2020 there are around 7000 deaths identified which is high in number. However, the rate is low
i.e. 19.6% in 2019. Hence, it has been identified that from 2009 to 2019, the price of alcohol
decreases by 5% relatives and that is why, the number is somehow increases to consume alcohol.
As per the statistics, it has identified that in 2020, in UK the alcohol-specific death rate
was increases by 18.6% from 2019 and the same has also reflected by conducting primary
research in which majority of females are mainly consume alcohol (Alcohol use in UK- Statistic

& Facts, 2021). According to the cross-tabulation, it has been identified that if the income of
people is high then they can afford drink and that is why, even increasing the price of alcohol,
higher class people can afford the same. That is why, alterative hypothesis is accepted over other
because there is a strong correlation between household income and whether drink now a days.
Thompson and Pirmohamed (2021) also supported the same that since 2005 the trend among
younger drinkers is high regarding consuming alcohol and this has also increases by year by
year. Like statistics shows that in England 82% of the adults drunk alcohol in 2018 and in 2017,
the men drink more likely as compared to women. That is why, it has been reflected that the
issue of alcohol consumption keep increases among different age group which need to be
reduced.
In accordance with the primary research, it has been also identified that majority of the
White people drink alcohol now adays and this has also investigated by Cooke and et.al., (2021)
that majority of the countries where white people live, drink more alcohol as compared to other
and that is why, the majority of the White people also stated same in a study. The rationale of
this is such that majority of them are belongs to high class and that is why, they can afford the
same whereas Black and other ethnic group people actually do not able to meet the same. On the
other side, their educational background is also affected the chances of consuming alcohol and
this in turn reflected that majority of White people consume alcohol the most as compared to
others. Apart from this, it has been investigated that the rate of consuming alcohol is high and
that is why, there is a need to make effective steps so that the chances of negative impact can be
minimised. This is only possible when government took strict actions in order to remove the
same which help to let people determine the negative outcome.
Overall, it can be stated that consumption of alcohol by women always lead to raise blood
pressure because it has a direct impact over heart. In many study, it has already proved that
women who drink excessively increases the risk of damage to a heart muscles. That is why, it
can be stated that consumption of alcohol lead to increase the number of death cases as well
(Oldham and et.al., 2021). Also, the chances of cardiovascular disease also increases in this time
that is why, there is a direct relationship between the high consumption of alcohol which raise
heart disease. Apart from this, there is a changeover women’s hormones and that is why, it
increase the number of patients in hospitals too. Hence, to reduce the number of cases within a

country there is a need to understand the negative outcome created by alcohol consumption so
that it assist to provide a better life to people.
Implication
Through the above discussion it has been identified that it creates positive impact over
the government because it actually determine the opinion of selected respondents where majority
of the females are agreed that intake alcohol. Therefore, the present study will assist to make
decision accordingly so that the negative outcome can be reduced. In addition to this, there is a
need to implement the actions which in turn help to control alcohol use in UK. As per the survey
results, it has been identified that females consume the most and that is why, society will come to
identify that it causes negative impact and reduce the chances of living as well (Jacob and et.al.,
2021). It has been identified that there is a negative impact over the health and that is why,
government also keep using different ways to minimize the same. The above analysis also assists
to let government know about the trend and as this is authentic data so it will be easy to make
steps to minimize the same.
CONCLUSION
By summing up above it has been concluded that most of the people faces issue of over-
consumption of alcohol and this in turn reflected that there is a need to improve the issue. In
accordance with the survey conducted, it has been concluded that 10617 people selected from the
population where majority of them are female and consume more as compared to others. Thus, it
has been concluded that with an excessive use of alcohol among female lead to increase
cardiovascular disease and this is due to increase the blood pressure which in turn lead to heart
failure. Apart from this, it has been also summarised that there is a good relationship between
household income and in taking of alcohol. That is why, under correlation table, alternative
hypothesis is accepted over other in all cases excluding sex and household income. Thus, it can
be stated that there is a need to make changes over the policy which help to reduce the chances
of poor health.

Recommendations
Through the above it has been identified that majority of female drink more as compared
to male. Thus, to reduce the negative impact there is a need to implement ways to reduce alcohol
among people and these ways are as mentioned below:
 It is to be recommended to the people to understand the disadvantages of excessive
drinking alcohol by females lead to cause a negative impact over their health because
damage of lungs will be common.
 Also, a campaign need to be organised at different level of a country where individuals
will be easily ascertain the cons of in-taking alcohol so that effective outcome can be
generated. In addition to this, with the help of such campaigns, citizens can be easily
understood and stop consuming excessive level of alcohol (Schölin and et.al., 2021).
 Government should also keep changes in their policies specially to drink-driving policies
so that the adverse outcome from excessive consumption can be intake. This in turn
shows that there will be positive outcome and people need to be obliged with all the laws
in order to generate a valid result.
 Also, it has been identified that the health of people (mainly females) is not appropriate
because they consume alcohol in excessive manner and this in turn affect their overall
health. That is why, it is to be suggested to make a group or government bodies in order
to monitor the trend and then implement ways to minimise the same.
 Sometimes, government can also increase the prices of alcohol which in turn assist to
reduce the chances of buying products for middle class because in UK, majority of the
people who belongs to middle class buy alcohol so it will assist to decrease negative
impact over their health (Taak, Brown and Perski, 2021).

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Cooke, R. and et.al., 2021. Do preparatory behaviours predict alcohol consumption among UK
university students?. British Journal of Health Psychology. 26(2). pp.343-359.
Fan, X. and et.al., 2021. Alcohol consumption is associated with poor prognosis in obese patients
with COVID-19: A Mendelian randomization study using UK Biobank. Nutrients. 13(5).
p.1592.
Jacob, L. and et.al., 2021. Alcohol use and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-
sectional study in a sample of UK adults. Drug and alcohol dependence. 219. p.108488.
Oldham, M. and et.al., 2021. Characterising the patterns of and factors associated with increased
alcohol consumption since COVID‐19 in a UK sample. Drug and alcohol review. 40(6).
pp.890-899.
Schölin, L. and et.al., 2021. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: an overview of current evidence
and activities in the UK. Archives of disease in childhood. 106(7). pp.636-640.
Taak, K., Brown, J. and Perski, O., 2021. Exploring views on alcohol consumption and digital
support for alcohol reduction in UK‐based Punjabi‐Sikh men: A think aloud and interview
study. Drug and alcohol review. 40(2). pp.231-238.
Thompson, A. and Pirmohamed, M., 2021. Associations between occupation and heavy alcohol
consumption in UK adults aged 40–69 years: a cross-sectional study using the UK
Biobank. BMC public health. 21(1). pp.1-12.
Online
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facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-statistics#:~:text=This%20trend%20is%20especially
%20pronounced,%2C%2057%25%20of%20the%20population.>.
Alcohol use in UK- Statistic & Facts. 2021. [Online]. Available through:
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