Research Proposal: Type 2 Diabetes in East London Care Home

This research proposal investigates the causes, impact, and potential management strategies for type 2 diabetes among the elderly population in a care home setting in East London. The study begins with an introduction to type 2 diabetes, highlighting its chronic nature and the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. The research aims to identify the major causes of the disease, analyze its impact on the health of elderly individuals, and ascertain effective strategies and medications for patient care. The literature review examines existing research on the development of type 2 diabetes, risk factors such as excess weight and inactivity, and the impact of the disease on various bodily systems. The methodology section outlines an inductive research approach using both primary and secondary data collection methods, including surveys of healthcare practitioners and reviews of relevant literature. The proposal details the sampling technique, data analysis methods, limitations of the study, and ethical considerations, including participant confidentiality. A comprehensive research plan, including a timeline, is provided, along with a questionnaire designed to gather data from healthcare professionals. The proposal concludes with a list of references and the questionnaire used in the research.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
IN
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
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Table of Contents
Research Proposal............................................................................................................................3
Research Title..................................................................................................................................3
Research question............................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Background......................................................................................................................................3
Research Aim...................................................................................................................................3
Research Objectives.........................................................................................................................4
Literature Review............................................................................................................................4
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................9
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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
RESEARCH TITLE
“Causes of type 2 diabetes among the elderly in a care home in East London”
RESEARCH QUESTION
 What are the major causes of diabetes among the elderly in a care home in East London?
INTRODUCTION
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause blood sugar to be higher than normal
and people with type 2 diabetes are more susceptible to recurring infections and sores. The
symptoms are not common and usually people are unable to identify it. There is a complex
interplay of genetics and environmental factors in type 2 diabetes (Rubin, Donnell-Jackson and
Paranjape, 2014).
There are several reasons that leads to type 2 diabetes such as when the pancreas does not
produce any insulin and when the body does not respond appropriately to insulin. Thus, in this
respect the present research study will be made to identify the causes of type 2 diabetes in the
elderly. The study will be made in the context of East London where elderly people are at high
risk for diabetes. Amongst the elderly population, type 2 diabetes is a growing problem and a
larger proportion of newly diagnosed diabetes are older people.
BACKGROUND
Prediabetes is a condition wherein blood sugar level is higher than normal; but this is not
enough to be classified as diabetes. However, if is left untreated, then it often progresses to type
2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be easily ignored in the early stages; but later on it affects many
organs of the body such as heart, blood vessels, nerves and kidneys. Thus, in such context the
study has been describing the causes of type 2 diabetes that usually happens among elderly
people in East London. Further, in the research work, discussion has also been included
regarding the impact of type 2 diabetes on elderly people.
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RESEARCH AIM
The main aim of present research study is to identify the causes that leads to type 2
diabetes among elderly in East London.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 To identify the causes of type 2 diabetes among elderly people
 To analyse the impact of type of diabetes on health of elderly people
 To ascertain the strategies and medication that can be adopted to deal with type 2
diabetes patients.
LITERATURE REVIEW
This is the most important section in which researcher will be using several secondary
sources so as to identify the major causes of type 2 diabetes among elderly people of East
London. Research articles, studies and journals will be accessed for collecting data about the
subject matter.
According to Alkorta-Aranburu and et.al. (2014), type 2 diabetes develops when the body
becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreases stops producing enough insulin for the body.
However, in this respect it can be said that there are several genetic and environmental factors
that develops type 2 diabetes in elderly such as excess weight and inactivity and hereditary
problems. Marso, Daniels and Steinberg (2016), contended that glucose is the main source of
energy for the cells that make up muscles and other tissues. It comes from two major sources
such as food and liver and it is absorbed in the bloodstream, where it enters cells through insulin.
Contradicting to the above findings, De Franco and Ellard (2015), says that being
overweight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and when a person becomes obese, cells
become resistant to insulin. Supporting the facts, it can be said that when the body stores fat
primarily in the abdomen, the risk of type 2 diabetes is greater. Further, the risk of type 2
diabetes increases with the age especially after 45. This probably happens because people tend to
involve less in the exercises which loses muscle mass and gain weight according to the age.
However, type 2 diabetes is also increasing dramatically among children and younger adults.
Other than this, in terms of stating about the health impacts of type 2 diabetes, it increases
the risk of various cardiovascular problems and it can also damage nerve system of the patient.
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Poorly controlled blood sugar can eventually cause to lose all sense of feeling in the affected
limbs. Damage to the nerves further can cause problems with nausea, vomiting and constipation.
It is also analysed that diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina and potentially it
could lead to blindness.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Conceptual framework
Research methodology is the most vital section of the study in which thorough analysis is
conducted about all the research tools and methods that can be used for the subsequent project.
Design or methods: In terms of research approach, investigator will be selecting
inductive approach as it is associated with qualitative research and it also focuses on exploring
new phenomenon from a different perspective (Sreedharan, 2007). Further, interpretivism
philosophy will be used because it explains multiple realities which are dependent on other
systems for meaning.
Data collection method: Primary and Secondary both the sources for data collection will
be used in the research study. Under secondary source, books, journals and articles will be
reviewed; however under primary method, survey will be conducted from the health care
practitioners of Care UK in East London (Walliman, 2006).
Sampling technique: On the basis of random sampling technique, researcher will be
selecting the sample size. Hence, 10 practitioners from Care UK, East London will be selected
for the research work.
Probability and non- probability sampling: Probability sampling is a technique in which
the subjects of the population get an equal opportunity to be selected as a representative sample.
It is also known as random sampling and is being used in the study. On the contrary is non-
probability sampling wherein it is not known that which individual from the population will be
selected.
Data presentation and analysis: Data analysis will be done through Qualitative
technique in which Thematic analysis will be selected. All the themes will be appropriately
discussed according to the collected responses.
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Limitations: The major limitations for the study are time and financial constraints (Suri
and Clarke, 2010). Along with this, researcher also experienced inaccessibility to a few sites
because that were subscribed.
Overcoming barriers: These barriers will be managed through allocating adequate time
to each and every activity. This will also assist in avoiding the repetition and duplication of work
in different areas.
Research plan:
Activity Week
1
Week
2
Week
3
Week
4
Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Week
8
Week
9
Week
10
Writing
Research
Proposal
Reading
various
literature
Finalizing
the aims
and
objectives
Draft
literature
review
Collect
secondary
data
Analyze
secondary
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data
Develop
research
approach
Draft
research
methodolo
gy
Develop
questionna
ire
Arrange
the
interview
Conduct
the
interview
Accumulat
e the data
Draft
Findings
Analyze
data
Complete
remaining
chapters
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Submit it
to tutor
and await
for
feedback
Revise the
draft
Print and
bind
Submit
Ethical consideration: Identity of all the participants will be kept secret and will not be
disclosed among others. Other than this, researcher will also seek prior consent while involving
the participants in the research process. Alongside, researcher will also maintain secrecy and
confidentiality about every aspect of the study.
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REFERENCES
Alkorta-Aranburu, G. and et.al., 2014. Phenotypic heterogeneity in monogenic diabetes: the
clinical and diagnostic utility of a gene panel-based next-generation sequencing
approach. Molecular genetics and metabolism. 113(4). pp.315-320.
De Franco, E. and Ellard, S., 2015. Genome, exome, and targeted next-generation sequencing in
neonatal diabetes. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 62(4). pp.1037-1053.
Marso, S. P., Daniels, G. H. and Steinberg, W. M., 2016. Liraglutide and cardiovascular
outcomes in type 2 diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. 375(4). pp.311-322.
Rubin, D. J., Donnell-Jackson, K. and Paranjape, A., 2014. Early readmission among patients
with diabetes: a qualitative assessment of contributing factors. Journal of Diabetes and
its Complications. 28(6). pp.869-873.
Sreedharan, 2007. A Manual of Historical Research Methodology. South Indian Studies.
Suri, H., and Clarke, D., 2010. Advancements in Research Synthesis Methods: From a
Methodologically Inclusive Perspective. Review of Educational Research, 79(1), pp.395-
430.
Walliman, N., 2006. Social Research Methods. SAGE.
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Appendix
Questionnaire
Q1. How long you have been working in Care UK of East London?
 Since 10 years
 Last five years
 Last three years
Q2. Do you agree that diabetes is a serious health problem?
 Agree
 Disagree
 Neutral
Q3. What are the major causes of type 2 diabetes?
 Genetic factors
 Environmental factors
 Hereditary factors
Q4. Do you agree that type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin?
 Agree
 Disagree
 Neutral
Q5. Do you agree that prediabetes could lead to type 2 diabetes if left untreated?
 Agree
 Disagree
 Neutral
Q6. Which age group is at risk of type 2 diabetes?
 Children
 Elderly
 Youngsters
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Q7. What is the major impact of type 2 diabetes?
 Damage to nerve cells
 Cardiovascular diseases
 Effects on kidneys
Q8. Do you think that type 2 diabetes generates long term health problems?
 Yes
 No
 Always
Q9. Do you think that physical exercises and therapies are useful in treating type 2 diabetes?
 Yes
 No
 Do not know
Q10. Do you agree that being overweight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes?
 Agree
 Disagree
 Neutral
Q11. Do you agree that adoption of preventive measures could reduce the impacts of type 2
diabetes?
 Agree
 Disagree
 Neutral
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