Assignment on Research Enquiry - 1

Running Head: RESEARCH ENQUIRY
RESEARCH ENQUIRY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1RESEARCH ENQUIRY
Introduction
It is seen that there is high prevalence of anemia among the women in Australia who
belong to the reproductive age (Fitzpatrick et al., 2015). The percentage of the women who
are in the age of reproduction that is 15 to 49 years and are suffering from anemia was very
high in the past. However the percentage decreased significantly in the past decades due to
the use of a number of steps that is the collective effort of the Australian Government as well
as the citizens of the country (Leonard et al., 2018). As per World Health Organization or
WHO, the prevalence of anemia among the women belonging to the reproductive age is
referred to as the sum of both the pregnant and the non-pregnant women is below 11 g/dL.
However, this is not the concern of the research as the research proposal highlights the social
impact on the women who are suffering from anemia at the time of pregnancy (Kline et al.,
2013). The social impact that is prevalent on the healthcare issues is a big concern on the
healthcare research as that acts as a big obstacle for the complete and unbiased research that
is supposed to take place in the healthcare research (Smithers et al., 2014).
The social impact that is seen among the women who are suffering from anemia is the
prevalence of certain comorbid factors like household work, poverty, food insecurity, lower
education among the women who are suffering from anemia regarding the health issues and
the inability to purchase the supplements for the deficiency of iron (McAullay et al., 2018). A
lot of research has been conducted that emphasizes the link of anemia and the psychological
status of the women due to the social impact and pressure on the women about reproduction.
Thus, the statement of purpose of the study is to highlight the social impact that anemia has in
the society. The research is aimed at focusing on the various ways to aid the anemic women
socially along with reducing the psychological pressure on women who are pregnant as well
as anemic (Smithers et al., 2014).

2RESEARCH ENQUIRY
Research Aim and Objectives
The aim of the study is to know the importance of the various ways that can reduce
the pressure on the pregnant women who are anemic by reducing the social impact and the
psychological pressure on these women. The research design will emphasize on the
following.
1. To know the role of the society in reducing the psychological pressure on the
pregnant women suffering from anemia.
2. To analyse various means that can help to reduce the social impact on the anemic
women who are either pregnant or have already delivered and are now suffering
from anemia.
3. To suggest a number of methods that can act as a probable means to reduce the
social impact on the lives of the pregnant women.
Research Questions
The research questions are as follows:
1. What is the role of the society in building up the psychological pressure amongst
the women who are suffering from anemia or have been anemic after the delivery
of their child?
2. What are the various ways in order to reduce the social impact on the anemic
women who are either pregnant or have already delivered and are now suffering
from anemia?
3. What are the methods that can act as a probable means to reduce the social impact
on the lives of the pregnant women?

3RESEARCH ENQUIRY
Research Hypotheses
H0: The involvement of the various social factors that do not increase the psychological
burden on the women who are pregnant and are suffering from anemia.
H1: The involvement of the various social factors that increase the psychological burden on
the women who are pregnant and are suffering from anemia.
Research Plan
Methodology
The study methodology is correlation of data which involves the use of the
quantitative data that will comprise the use of the interviews and surveys that will help in
determining the percentage and the rate of involvement of the Aboriginal women who are
actually suffering from societal stress and pressure after pregnancy due to prevalence of
anemia (Smith, 2015). The research design is usually of three types like descriptive or
analytical, explanatory and the exploratory out of which the systematic investigative design
of the research helps in understanding along with evaluating the study in a more descriptive
way. The investigative design is conducted to know the meanings of the concept at the very
initial stage and he explanatory design is used for the development of a relationship of a
between the two research variables that are being considered at the research design (Flick,
2015; Simonsohn, Nelson & Simmons, 2017). Thus, it is beneficial to use the analytical
research design for this research design in order to gain a detail idea and knowledge of the
pre-existing theories and concepts regarding the prevalence of the anemia among the
Aboriginal women in Australia (Ledford & Gast, 2018).
Sampling
The method of sampling that will be used for the research will involve both the non-
probability and the probability technique along with simple random sampling method

4RESEARCH ENQUIRY
(Panneerselvam, 2014). This will help in the better understanding of the research topic. It is
seen that around 100 women who fall under the age group of 15-35 years will be asked to
take part in the survey and the interview.
Data Collection
The collection of data for this study will include both primary along with secondary
data sources (Leonard et al., 2017). Collection of the primary data would be done by a
number of ways like surveys, and interviews (Udovicich, Perera & Leahy, 2017). The
secondary data will include all kinds of data such as the information that is available either in
the printed form in addition to online platform. Both these type of data will be used in order
to carry out the particular study (Foley, Schubert & Denaro, 2013).
Data Analysis
To carry out the research and the evaluation of quantitative data which has been
collected by the use of the surveys and interviews will be converted into the numerals and
percentage so that a comprehensive and compact data can be obtained (Panneerselvam,
2014). This will help in the better comparison of the obtained data. The data can then be
converted into charts and graphs or even in pictorial presentation. In order to analyze and
evaluate the data thematic approach will be considered. The gathered information from the
interview as well as the survey will be written as per the number of themes that are related
directly to the topic of research (Udovicich, Perera & Leahy, 2017).
Literature Review
Leonard et al. (2018) has shown that the deficiency of iron in the pregnant women can
cause a number of adverse effects that are even related to the death at the time of pregnancy.
It also causes the preterm birth and the low weight of the baby at the time of birth along with
lower cognitive development in the child at the time of birth. It is seen that the supplement of

5RESEARCH ENQUIRY
the pregnant women with iron tablets that help to regain the lost amount of the iron due to
increased demands at that time (Clarke & Boyle, 2014). Despite all these efforts the iron
deficiency anemia is seen to be increasing among the Aboriginal women for several decades.
This is due to a number of associated factors like the poor nutrition among the Aboriginal
women, lower use of the supplementation tablets, poverty, inadequate medicine intake, and
low level of education (Browne, Hayes & Gleeson, 2014).
It is seen that there are a number of social and demographic factors that are associated
with the deficiency of iron and other micronutrients in the women. Thus, it can be clearly
linked to the presence of social impact on the women (Bar-Zeev et al., 2014). The women
who have or are suffering from anemia at the time or after pregnancy often face a number of
depression and atrocities from the society that creates a huge impact on the mental health of
the pregnant women. The gap in the literature is created due to the inadequate linking of the
potential mechanism that can link the psychological impact on the pregnant women
(Fitzpatrick et al., 2015).
The research shows that a lot of associated factors are present that are linked to the
anemic women who are either pregnant or have already delivered (Smithers et al., 2014).
Thus, this research proposal will bridge the gap that exists between the literature regarding
the antenatal depression and the behavior of the healthcare activity among the high income
group and among the Aboriginal community (Browne, Hayes & Gleeson, 2014). It is also
seen that the mothers who suffer from depression due to the social trauma that is prevalent as
they suffer from anemia have severe impact on the child development as they often lack
behind in the process of vaccination or the child visits (McAullay et al., 2018). These factors
are anyhow less among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander due to poor healthcare
services along with this the reduced concern of the mother regarding the health of the child
deteriorates it further (Smithers et al., 2014).

6RESEARCH ENQUIRY
Identification of the gaps in the society
The research suggests that approximately one-fourth of the total population is
suffering from anemia. The burden of the population who are suffering from anemia is high
among the native or the indigenous populations as compared to the common population (Bar-
Zeev et al., 2013). The existence of anaemia that is due to deficiency of iron at the time of
pregnancy is usually low that is approximately less than 20% among the developed countries
and is much higher in the developing countries and the countries who are facing disadvantage
in the socioeconomic areas (Browne, Hayes & Gleeson, 2014).
Reports show that the prevalence of anaemia is higher among the Aboriginal women
than the indigenous women. The prevalence of anaemia among the Aboriginal women is
higher by 50% as compared to the non-indigenous women (McAullay et al., 2018). There are
a number of data that shows that the anaemia due to the deficiency of iron at the time of
pregnancy among the adolescent Aboriginal women is higher (Clarke & Boyle, 2014). Thus,
the significance of the research proposal is that it highlights on the fact that despite the
developing health services the Aboriginal community especially the women are suffering
from anaemia. All these women has to suffer from a number of social and psychological
pressure if they are suffering from anaemia at the time of pregnancy (Leonard et al., 2018).
Research has shown that the reason for anaemia can be infections, genetic conditions
and the inflammation that are also prevalent among the Aboriginal women (Browne, Hayes &
Gleeson, 2014). The other reasons are iron deficiency and the deficiency due to lack of
proper nutrition that can arise due to a number of factors such as the poverty, lack of enough
resources as well as the lack of proper healthcare services (McAullay et al., 2018). In order to
prevent the adverse damage that can be due to the deficiency of iron supplements should be
taken. There is strong regulation of the deficiency of iron, however at the time of pregnancy
the demand is increased thus, the deficiency is also increased that leads conditions of anaemia

7RESEARCH ENQUIRY
(Clarke & Boyle, 2014). The more demand of iron at the time of pregnancy implies that the
prevalence of anaemia can be strong reason for the prevalence of childhood anaemia in the
remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Bar-Zeev et al., 2014).
Significance of the study
The significance of the study is that it will help the researchers to know the factors
that are causing the increased anaemia in the Aboriginal women at the time of pregnancy and
the other social impact that can deteriorate their health condition (Smithers et al., 2014). It
will also highlight the ways that can help to reduce the societal burden on these women that
will help them to recover fast and also to reduce their psychological pressure (Leonard et al.,
2018). The significance of this research is thus seen from the higher prevalence of the
anaemia among the women and the impact it can have on the early childhood. The other
significance is that despite the improvements in the healthcare services and the
implementation of the services in the remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
community there is still a huge gap between the accesses of those services (Aquino et al.,
2018).
Ethical Considerations
The research will follow strict research ethics during the entire research timeline. In
order to collect primary data, participants will not be forced to take the survey or the
interview (Foley, Schubert & Denaro, 2013). Before the start of the survey or interview a
consent form will be signed by each of the participants in order to make sure that the
participants actively participated and were under no pressure from the researchers. The
survey paper will not contain any kind of company logo or symbol that portrays any kind of
advertisement but it should be understood that the research is completely based for the
academic purpose only (Udovicich, Perera & Leahy, 2017). In case of any permission that is

8RESEARCH ENQUIRY
required from the university and from any authority an authorization letter will be taken from
the University that can be presented everywhere at the time of conducting the research
especially at the time of survey and interview (Leonard et al., 2017). In order to carry out the
secondary research, referencing is a very critical aspect that should be undertaken by the
researcher in order to avoid any kind of plagiarized activity. Hence, the researcher should not
take any kind of approach that violates the terms and conditions for the maintenance of the
ethical guidelines (Foley, Schubert & Denaro, 2013).
Study Limitations
There has to be a number of research limitations in each research study irrespective of
the well-structured and well-designed research methodology (Udovicich, Perera & Leahy,
2017). The first reason for the limitation of the study is the time frame that is always a
problem in every research, along with this, the availability of the resources also becomes a
limitation for the completion of the research study. It also might be the case that certain
resources will remain unavailable and inaccessible that can delay the research study. The
other limitations can be the responses from the participants that might not be enough in order
to gain a particular result. Along with this the participants can also provide with incorrect or
incomplete answers that will increase the biasness of the solution (Flick, 2015; Simonsohn,
Nelson & Simmons, 2017). In addition to this, there might be also some problems regarding
the grant of permissions from the various authorities that are either directly or indirectly
related to the research. Another limitation in the research is the lack of proper literature that
has focused on the Aboriginal health issues especially the women ((Foley, Schubert &
Denaro, 2013). Thus, this limitation acts as a major barrier in the path of attaining complete
solution for the social impact on the health of the pregnant Aboriginal women who are
suffering from anemia. However, the research has been planned in the most correct way that
will help in the completion of the research in the right way (Leonard et al., 2017).

9RESEARCH ENQUIRY
Study Administration
Activities 1st
to 3rd
Week
4th
to 10th
week
11th
to 13th
Week
14th
to 17th
Week
18th
to 21st
Week
22nd
to 23rd
Week
24th
Week
Selection of topic 
Data collection from
secondary sources
 
Creating layout 
Literature review   
Analysis and
interpretation of
collected data
  
Findings of data  
Conclusion of study 
Formation of draft  
Submission of final
work

Fig: Gantt Chart
(Source: As created by author)
Budget
Description Year cost incurred

10RESEARCH ENQUIRY
1st month 2nd and 3rd
months
4th and 5th
months
6th month
Administrative cost
Paper
Printer and ink
Miscellaneous
stationary products
400 20 20 50
Research cost 500 200 100 50
Travel cost 50 200 200 50
Sub-Total
$ 950 $ 420 $ 320 $ 150
Total $ 1,840
Validity
The promote internal validity of the research, proper selection of participants is
essential along with randomization of the study once correct population of anaemic women
have been selected along with ensuring that correct timeframe for the study has been selected.
The inclusion and the exclusion criteria must be set properly and emphasized on to ensure
proper validity of the study along with set calibrated rules to determine the accuracy of the

11RESEARCH ENQUIRY
data. Psychological realism must be ensure to raise the confidence of the study and validity of
the data therefore the anonymity of the participants must be rigorously followed. The external
validity is threatened if the study is biased and features criteria which are not applicable in
regular day to day setting. Therefore, recommendations must be made taking into account the
ethnicity and demography of the population so as to maintain the external validity of the
study.
Conclusion
Therefore, it can be concluded that the research will aid in establishing the factors that
are causing the increased anaemia in the Aboriginal women at the time of pregnancy and the
other social impact that can deteriorate their health condition. It will also highlight the ways
that can help to reduce the societal burden on these women that will help them to recover fast
and also to reduce their psychological pressure. The implication of this research is therefore
seen from the higher prevalence of the anaemia among the women and the impact it can have
on the early childhood. The other importance of the research is that despite the improvements
in the healthcare services and the implementation of the services in the remote Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander community, the research would be able to identify the gaps in accessing
those services. Therefore, in conclusion, the research is extremely crucial for the upliftment
of the overall health of the women in the society.

12RESEARCH ENQUIRY
References
Aquino, D., Leonard, D., Hadgraft, N., & Marley, J. V. (2018). High prevalence of early
onset anaemia amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants in remote
northern Australia. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 26(4), 245-250.
Bar-Zeev, S. J., Kruske, S. G., Barclay, L. M., Bar-Zeev, N., & Kildea, S. V. (2013).
Adherence to management guidelines for growth faltering and anaemia in remote
dwelling Australian Aboriginal infants and barriers to health service delivery. BMC
health services research, 13(1), 250.
Bar-Zeev, S., Barclay, L., Kruske, S., & Kildea, S. (2014). Factors affecting the quality of
antenatal care provided to remote dwelling Aboriginal women in northern
Australia. Midwifery, 30(3), 289-296.
Browne, J., Hayes, R., & Gleeson, D. (2014). Aboriginal health policy: is nutrition the
‘gap’in ‘Closing the Gap’?. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public
Health, 38(4), 362-369.
Clarke, M., & Boyle, J. (2014). Antenatal care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
women. Australian family physician, 43(1/2), 20.
Fitzpatrick, J. P., Latimer, J., Ferreira, M. L., Carter, M., Oscar, J., Martiniuk, A. L., ... &
Elliott, E. J. (2015). Prevalence and patterns of alcohol use in pregnancy in remote W
estern A ustralian communities: The L ililwan P roject. Drug and alcohol review,
34(3), 329-339.
Flick, U., (2015). Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project.Sage.

13RESEARCH ENQUIRY
Foley, W., Schubert, L., & Denaro, T. (2013). Breastfeeding experiences of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander mothers in an urban setting in Brisbane. Breastfeeding
Review, 21(3), 53.
Kline, K., McCarthy, J. S., Pearson, M., Loukas, A., & Hotez, P. J. (2013). Neglected tropical
diseases of Oceania: review of their prevalence, distribution, and opportunities for
control. Plos neglected tropical diseases, 7(1), e1755.
Ledford, J. R., & Gast, D. L. (2018). Single case research methodology: Applications in
special education and behavioral sciences. Routledge.
Leonard, D., Aquino, D., Hadgraft, N., Thompson, F., & Marley, J. V. (2017). Poor nutrition
from first foods: A cross‐sectional study of complementary feeding of infants and
young children in six remote Aboriginal communities across northern
Australia. Nutrition & dietetics, 74(5), 436-445.
Leonard, D., Buettner, P., Thompson, F., Makrides, M., & McDermott, R. (2018). Linking
‘data silos’ to investigate anaemia among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
mothers and children in Far North Queensland. Australian and New Zealand journal
of public health, 42(5), 456-462.
Leonard, D., Buttner, P., Thompson, F., Makrides, M., & McDermott, R. (2018). Anaemia in
pregnancy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of Far North
Queensland: A retrospective cohort study. Nutrition & Dietetics, 75(5), 457-467.
McAullay, D., McAuley, K., Bailie, R., Mathews, V., Jacoby, P., Gardner, K., ... & Edmond,
K. (2018). Sustained participation in annual continuous quality improvement
activities improves quality of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
children. Journal of paediatrics and child health, 54(2), 132-140.

14RESEARCH ENQUIRY
Panneerselvam, R., (2014). Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt.Ltd..
Simonsohn, U., Nelson, L., & Simmons, J. (2017). Research Methodology, Design, and
Analysis. Annual Review of Psychology, 69(1).
Smith, J.A. ed., (2015). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
Smithers, L. G., Gialamas, A., Scheil, W., Brinkman, S., & Lynch, J. W. (2014). Anaemia of
pregnancy, perinatal outcomes and children's developmental vulnerability: a whole‐
of‐population study. Paediatric and perinatal epidemiology, 28(5), 381-390.
Smithers, L. G., Gialamas, A., Scheil, W., Brinkman, S., & Lynch, J. W. (2014). Anaemia of
pregnancy, perinatal outcomes and children's developmental vulnerability: a whole‐
of‐population study. Paediatric and perinatal epidemiology, 28(5), 381-390.
Udovicich, C., Perera, K., & Leahy, C. (2017). Anaemia in school‐aged children in an
Australian Indigenous community. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 25(5), 285-
289.

15RESEARCH ENQUIRY
Appendix
Survey Questions
1. What are the main factors linked to the prevalence of anemia?
2. What is the behavior of the family after receiving the news of pregnancy?
3. How the news of anemia is at the time of pregnancy is received by the family?
4. What are the societal factors that contribute to the depression at the time of
pregnancy?
Interview Questions
1. What is the total family income?
2. How frequently do they visit the healthcare center at the time of pregnancy?
3. Do they buy the iron supplements?
4. Do they face any kind of pressure at home due to anemia at the time of
pregnancy?