Investigating Dementia Risk Factors in the UK: A Research Project

This research project examines the risk factors associated with dementia in the United Kingdom. The project begins with an introduction outlining the research problem, aims, objectives, and research questions. A comprehensive literature review is included, analyzing existing research on dementia causes and risk factors, and considering whether these factors can be modified. The methodology section details the research approach, including the use of positivism, deductive reasoning, and a descriptive research design, along with qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The data collection and analysis chapter covers primary data collection from healthcare professionals using random sampling. The project concludes with recommendations for reducing dementia risk factors in the UK, along with future areas of study. The report also includes a Gantt chart to illustrate the project timeline and structure.

Research Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: introduction....................................................................................................................3
1.1 Research project description.............................................................................................3
1.2 Research Aims and Objectives.........................................................................................3
1.3 Literature review..............................................................................................................4
1.4 Research methodology.....................................................................................................4
1.5 Structure of the project.....................................................................................................5
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................7
2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................7
2.2 Literature Review.............................................................................................................7
Chapter 3: Research Methodology...................................................................................................9
3.1 Methodology, Methods and Techniques....................................................................................9
3.2 Sampling..................................................................................................................................11
3.3 Data collection and Analysis method......................................................................................11
3.4 Ethical considerations and research limitations.......................................................................12
Chapter 4: Data collection and Analysis........................................................................................13
4.1 Data collection................................................................................................................13
4.2 Data Analysis and Discussion........................................................................................15
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations..............................................................................19
5.1 Conclusion and recommendations..................................................................................19
5.3 Areas for future study.....................................................................................................20
References......................................................................................................................................21

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research project description
Introduction:
There are different risk factors associated with dementia can increase the risk of
developing mental issues for individual in UK. In these risk factors some factors can be
controlled by appropriate changes in daily life routine and some cannot be changed by any
changes. The current research project is based on the risk factors associated with dementia.
Regarding this, researcher will follow systematic process that include different stages, such as
understanding the research problem, review of literature and research methodology (Keller and
Slaughter, 2015). All these stages will help in analyzing research problem and getting
appropriate information doe resolving these issues. Including this, author will include data
analysis chapter which will help in getting appropriate findings for attaining all objectives.
Rational:
Risk factors of dementia is increasing day by day due to the changes in lifestyle and
different other reasons. It is one of the major health issue and challenge for UK. It increases
probability of occurrence of dementia and other mental diseases among individuals. Government
of the UK is investing huge amount of money in reducing the negative effects of all these risk
factors (Risk Factors, 2015). But, till it is the major health issues of the whole country. Large
number of researchers have conducted investigation on risk factors of dementia but no one have
considered it for specific UK. So, researcher wants to focus on this issue in the whole
investigation (Thomson and et.al, 2015). Therefore, for resolving this issues researcher will focus
on different causes and risk factors which are associated with Dementia in UK. Along with this,
focus will also be given on determining that weather risk factors of Dementia can be changes or
not.
1.2 Research Aims and Objectives
Aim:
“To identify different causes and risk factors which are associated with Dementia and
determine different ways to reduce the risk in UK”.
Objectives:
1. To ascertain different causes and risk factors which are associated with Dementia in UK.
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2. To critically analyze that weather risk factors of Dementia can be changes or not.
3. To recommend appropriate ways to control the risk factors of dementia in UK.
Research questions:
1. What are the major causes and risk factors which are associated with Dementia in UK?
2. What are the major ways to control the risk factors of dementia in UK?
1.3 Literature review
Above discussion of the research problem has reflected that risk factors of dementia in
UK is one of the major health issue of UK. So, for conducting investigation on this contemporary
research will use a system research process and this procedure comprise literature review which
help in getting appropriate insights to understand the research problem in effective manner
(Louwersheimer and et.al, 2015). Author will collect historical articles from different websites
and journals which will be relevant from the current subject. Literature of the research will focus
on different risk factors of dementia in UK. Along with this, it will also shed lights on different
research studies which shows that weather these risk factors can be controlled by health care
professionals or not. Further, study will also include different articles relevant to the different
ways for preventing the risk of all these factors. Therefore, all these articles and research papers
will play significant role in understanding research issues in effective manner.
1.4 Research methodology
As per the specification of research, whole study will be based on different risk factors
associated with the dementia in UK. Author will follow a systematic process for conducting
investigation on the current subject. Different tools and techniques will be applied for completing
whole research. Researcher will include positivism research philosophy, deductive research
approach and descriptive research design for developing a base for whole investigation. Further,
researcher will focus on qualitative and quantitative research techniques which will contribute in
collecting appropriate information for understanding and resolving major issues of the current
investigation (Ferri and et.al, 2006).
Including this, primary and secondary data collection methods will be used by researcher
for obtaining appropriate and relevant facts and figures about the risk factors associated with
dementia. Primary data will be collected by the health care professionals of UK because these are
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appropriate person to collect data about the risk factors of dementia. For primary data collection
researcher needs to select a sample which will be nominated by the random number sampling
method. At last, author will use appropriate techniques and method for analyzing and examining
collected primary and secondary data (Keller and Slaughter, 2015). These techniques will be
thematic and statistical analysis. In which thematic analysis will help in examining qualitative
facts and statistical analysis will contribute in examining numerical or quantitative information
about the research subject. Overall, appropriate methodology of research will help in resolving
research issues by suitable solution (Larsen and et.al, 2015).
1.5 Structure of the project
Structure of the research report is as follows:
1. Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter will help in providing brief knowledge about the
research subject and whole investigation.
2. Chapter 2: Literature Review: All the relevant literature and past research studies are
included in this chapter which will help in determining the findings of the past research
scholars on relevant subject.
3. Chapter 3: Research Methodology: It will include different tools and techniques for
conducting whole investigation in systematic manner.
4. Chapter 4: Data collection and Analysis: This chapter will comprise appropriate methods
for examining collected facts and figures. It will include all findings and results for
resolving the research problem.
5. Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations: This research chapter will describe
appropriate conclusion of the research as well as appropriate recommendations for
reducing risk of all these risk factors of dementia (Kong and Park, 2015).
Structure of the report can be presented by the Gantt chart which shows different
activities of the research will timescale (Katz, Rosenbloom and Fashler, 2015). It helps in
monitoring and progress of the whole investigation. Gantt chart for the current research is as
follows:
Table 1: Gantt chart
Activity/Week W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7 W8
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Developing research proposal
Formulation of aim and objectives and
research question
Review of literature
Primary and secondary data collection
Analysis of the data
Determining appropriate findings and results
Conclusion and recommendations
Draft submission
Modification as per the requirements
Final Submission of research project
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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
Literature review is the significant section of the research study. It is all about
investigations and findings that are presented to reflect and show the critical findings of the
various authors. More broadly, literature review is considered as an analysis and evaluation of
secondary data findings which are used in light of the concept identifying different causes and
risk factors which are associated with Dementia in a streamline with various ways to minimize
the risk which are associated in UK. With the help of literature review, the efforts are made to
present the views and study made b y various authors in context to subject which has been
presented.
2.2 Literature Review
Dementia
According to Beck and et.al (2015), Dementia is defined as progressive impairment
which is related to language, memory, visual, function ability etc. It is generally characterized by
the global cognitive damage or harm (Beck, McIlfatrick, Hasson and Leavey, 2015). In similar
vein, World Health Organization has defined it as syndrome which is generated due to disease in
brain. Louwersheimer and et.al, (2015) has stated the characteristics of dementia and have
mentioned it as stated where the human being seems to have problem of memory loss, difficulty
in communicating, solving encountered issues, alternation in personality, attitude change, and
loss of emotional control (Louwersheimer and et.al, 2015). Wu and et.al, (2015) asserted the
epidemiology of phenomenon of dementia and have projected that the number of older people
who are above the age of 65 years are expected to increase from 420 million in 2000 to almost 1
billion by 2030 (Wu and et.al, 2015). It is also the fact that in UK, this will be at the greatest
number in old age group.
Causes of Dementia
The causes of dementia are generally made on slow basis that leads to damage of brain.
In the words of Ferri and et.al, (2006), dementia is inclusive of diseases which tends to
degenerate the cells of brain and finally die due to normal aging procedure. The extent of
damage or harm may also affect the mental status of human being and to his/her physical body as

well (Ferri and et.al, 2006). In similar fashion to causes of dementia, Larsen and et.al, (2015)
shared his opinion that it is caused when there is interruption in the blood supply to the human's
brain. It is caused when veins and blood vessels become harden that affect the blood flow and
dementia occurs (Larsen and et.al, 2015). In further research to the causes of dementia, it has
been reveled that it also occur when there is stroke in brain cells that may damage the vascular
and leads to increase in risk. According to Erol, Brooker and Peel (2015), dementia is caused
when there is shrink of the brain which is through the clumps of protein. These are causes due to
major reason which is responsible for affecting the flow of chemical flow and message from one
body part to another (Erol, Brooker and Peel, 2015). In the words of Jung (2015), causes of
dementia is when there develops lumps of protein in the inner part of the brain. It is a fact that
Dopamine and acetylcholine are considered as major players that regulates the functions of the
brain. Due to dementia, these are affected which damages the body functions that are such as
learning, mood change, memory and attention towards other things and stimulus (Jung, 2015).
As stated by Thomson and et.al, (2015), dementia is also caused by some of the non-progressive
aspects which are inclusive of depression, brain tumor, head injury, thyroid, misuse of alcohol. It
refers to treatment aspects which when control can help in supporting the dementia (Thomson
and et.al, 2015). It demands effective control and treatment so that unusual impairment can be
solved upon.
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Risk factors of Dementia
There are risk factors which are related with dementia. However, as stated in the words of
McKeown, Ryan, Ingleton and Clarke (2015), these may vary according to the lifestyle and
standard of living of an individual that may support the situation (McKeown, Ryan, Ingleton and
Clarke, 2015). In the same vein, Keller and Slaughter, (2015) stated that cardiovascular risk
factors which includes hypertension, heart issue etc. Smoking has also been considered as a most
highly considered risk factors (Keller and Slaughter, 2015). If a person is suffering from issue
such as Diabetes, the risk of dementia also enhances. This is a risk factor as it increases with the
avoidance of mediation and proper care (Alzheimer's and Dementia Prevention, 2015).
According to Kong and Park (2015), high cholesterol is one of the most common risk
factor related to dementia. Proper cholesterol is required for brain to operate and work. However,
if it is taken in increasing level, then it have direct impact on the Alzheimer's disease as studies
shows that high cholesterol lowers the effect of drugs or medication taken (Kong and Park,
2015). Another related risk factor in this regard is considered by taking metabolism functions of
the body. Homocysteine which is produced when there is increase of Alzheimer's disease and
other dementia problems (Dementia, 2015). According to Ferri and et.al, (2006), major risk
factor which is related as the risk factor to dementia is the genetic issue. For instance,
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) which takes and delivers the cholesterol to the nerve cells of the brain.
The function of this gene is to repair and form new connections to the brain (Ferri and et.al,
2006). Generally, three common variants of the ApoE gene are found. Any risk to these gene
may impact the whole body.
Different ways to reduce the risk of Dementia
Dementia is a need to be managed and handled. As per the study made by various
authors, there is a strong link which exist between metabolic disorders and the signal processing
systems of human being. According to Erol, Brooker and Peel (2015), eating habits helps in
minimizing the inflammation and upgrade normal energy production. Therefore, there is need to
have proper eating and diet habits. It is inclusive of in taking of Mediterranean diet, avoiding
trans fats and saturated fats, getting plenty of omega-3 fats, stock up on fruit and vegetables,
maintaining consistent levels of insulin and blood sugar etc (Erol, Brooker and Peel, 2015).
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CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Methodology, Methods and Techniques
Introduction:
Research methodology can be defined as a process of investigation which includes
different scientific tools and techniques for completing investigation in systematic manner. It
includes philosophy, approach, design and techniques. Further, it comprises data collection and
analysis methods for attaining objectives (Stephan and et.al, 2015).
Research philosophy:
It can be defined as a paradigm which provide a belief to researcher about the data
collection methods. Along with this, it also helps in resolving and understanding research issues
in effective manner. For determining different risk factors author will use the positivism research
philosophy. This paradigm focuses on the natural phenomenon about the research subject which
play important role in understanding the research problem. Author will apply this philosophy
because it focuses on the objectivity of the study rather than the subjective concepts associated
with the research subject (Smith, 2015). Therefore, it will help in accomplishing all the research
objectives in effective manner.
Research design:
Research design can be defined as a blue print of the whole investigation which will help
in determining appropriate ways for conducting investigation in effective manner. For
determining different causes and risk factors of dementia researcher will use the descriptive
research design. It focuses on the subjectivity concepts and theories of the research subject. By
which author can understand the major research problem (Wu and et.al, 2015). Along with this,
it plays important role in collecting facts and figure using different methods such as case study,
focus group and survey methodology. Researcher wants to conduct a survey of health and social
care professionals so, study will use the descriptive research design.
Research approach:
Approach of the research will play important role in completing investigation either
specific or general manner. There are two types of research approaches; inductive and deductive
research approach. For the current investigation researcher will use the deductive research
approach because it focuses on testing developed theories and attaining objectives of whole
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investigation. Along with this, it will complete the whole investigation from specific to general
manner (McKeown, Ryan, Ingleton and Clarke, 2015). So, using the deductive approach
researcher will analyze the theory of major risk factors of dementia afterwards it will test these
factors with the aspects of United Kingdom. Along with this, researcher will use hypothesis
testing for getting appropriate solution of the all research question.
Strategy of research:
There are different techniques of the investigation by which researcher can complete the
whole investigation. For the current investigation researcher will use combined strategy of
qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods will play important role in
understanding the theoretical concepts of the research subject and quantitative methods will
helps in resolving all research issues in effective manner (Erol, Brooker and Peel, 2015). So, for
understanding the theoretical and numerical counts of the current research subject author has
applied combined research strategy.
3.2 Sampling
For determining the different ways to control the risk factors of dementia researcher will
conduct primary investigation. Regarding this, researcher will select a sample from research
universe which of health care professionals of UK. For selecting sample researcher will apply the
random number sampling method. It will be used by researcher because it helps in reducing
unnecessary sampling error as well as also help in providing equal chance to all participant to
include in sample of investigation. Random number sampling method follows random number
table for selecting every single sample unit (Wu and et.al, 2015). Sample size for current
research will be 20 which because it is sufficient for presenting the entire population of the
research.
3.3 Data collection and Analysis method
Author needs to select different data collection methods for gathering information about
the causes and risk factors of dementia in UK. Author will apply both primary and secondary
data collection methods for collecting suitable data (Beck, McIlfatrick, Hasson and Leavey,
2015).
Primary data collection:
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All those methods which helps in collecting fresh and new information about research
subject are known as primary data collection methods. Researcher will use this method because
it will help in getting information about the present situation of Dementia in UK. Researcher will
use online questionnaire survey methodology for collecting primary data. Questionnaire will
include different open and close ended questions about the risk factors and causes of dementia.
Along with this, primary data will provide information about the different ways to control the
negative effects of these risk factors on patients (Jung, 2015).
Secondary data collection:
There are large number of researcher which have already conducted investigation on
similar subject of dementia and its risk factors. So, author will collect information from
secondary data collection methods also. Regarding this researcher will use the literature review
method. Researcher will collect secondary data from different sources such as historical research
studies, books, websites, articles, reports of health care survey, etc (Larsen and et.al, 2015).
secondary data collection will be applied for getting appropriate insights to understand the
research subject in effective manner.
Data analysis methods:
Author will use appropriate methods and techniques for analyzing and examining
collected facts and figures on risk factors of Dementia in UK. Thematic analysis methods will be
used by researcher for analyzing qualitative information. On the other hand statistical methods
will be applied for analyzing numerical data of research survey. Both methods will help in
getting appropriate answers of all research question which will play important role in making
final conclusion of the research (Colina-Coca and et.al, 2014).
3.4 Ethical considerations and research limitations
Researcher needs to follow specific rules and regulations for conducting whole
investigation in ethical manner. There are different ethical issues which can affect the final
findings of the research (McMillan and Schumacher, 2014). As per the research ethics, at the
time of primary investigation author needs to assure about the safety and security of personal
information of all participants. For resolving this issues, researcher has assured about the use of
only those information which are necessary for attaining objectives of the investigation.
Similarly, at the time of secondary data collection researcher needs to use appropriate references
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