Introduction
Research is a vital educational tool. In The Oxford Paperback Dictionary & Thesaurus, research is described as “a systematic investigation or study aimed at establishing facts or principles or to collect information on a particular subject” (Maurice & Sara, 2009, p. 1827). In most cases, research are meant to expound on an existing idea or formulate new ones so as to come up with new developments. This research hereby seeks to expound on autism and the effects of the disorder on the health of people. Autism or Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a psychological and neurodevelopmental disorder. It is characterized by numerous difficulties in communication and social interaction with people. Appendix A shows various characteristics of ASD patients in different contexts. The question of autism is one of the urgent problems in modern psychology. A number of researches have already been produced concerning this issue; however, the question is still open and merits further exploration. In particular, the researches focus on the problems of diagnosing autism at early stages, causes of autism, and possible methods of treatment. The disorder may occur at any age. However, it mainly affects children and youth. If not properly treated, the problem may persist and affect the patient in their adulthood. As seen in the United States, up to 4.7% of the adults live with the disorder.
Different scholars have held different ideas about autism. This has been recorded mostly in cases of the disorder involving children and youth. However, most of them agree that the disorder has become an issue of concern worldwide. This concept has been favored through various statistics. As such, this research seeks to explore some of the key facts about Autism spectrum disorder and more specifically behavioral intervention as a method through which the disorder can be treated.
Problem statement
In The Oxford Paperback Dictionary & Thesaurus, Maurice and Sara (2009) describe problem statement as a “concise description of the issues that need to be addressed by a problem solving team and be presented to them (or created by them) before they try to solve the problem” (p. 1892). As such, this is the section that carries the main purpose of the research. In my research I seek to explore on the effects of autism more so on behavioral intervention as a way through which the disorder can be treated. It is evident that an understanding of the subject goes a long way in trying to solve untold behavior changes in autism patients especially the children. For example, there have been cases of reduced participation among a number of children when it comes to class work. The disorder can also be used to explain the difficulties in socialization that is associated with the patients of the disorder.
From the above overview, it is evident that indeed the disorder needs proper understanding. It is important to differentiate Autism spectrum disorder from other possible cases of similar behaviors. It may be hard to accurately draw lines between ASD and other causes. However, cases of ASD are characterized with numerous difficulties in communication and social interaction with people. Similarly, the disorder is treatable and this research hereby highlights behavioral intervention as a method of treatment.
Purpose of the study
As mentioned above, the main aim of this study is to explore ASD and the possible treatments. The dissertation looks at the current cases of ASD in various parts of the world as the context of the research. One of the key areas of interest is the developing nations in which the disorder is on a rampage. These are the regions that have registered high number of cases of the disorders in the recent years. Most of these cases have been recorded in the urban centers and other developed areas of the continents. However, several efforts have been made towards treating the disorder and control the situation. The dissertation looks at the medical and psychosocial interventions that have been made towards the case in study. The dissertation is structured to analyze the impact of these interventions in the treatment of the disorder. Several data on the case study is to be collected through various methods and analyzed then conclusions made drawing arguments from the expected results and the discussions on the matter (Joubish, 2009).
Research question
Various scholars have held different ideas on the concept of research question. However, most of them agree that in order to carry out an objective research, it is essential to have a properly defined research question. A research question in the context refers to the question or set questions that a researcher bases on to collect the essential data in relation to the issue under investigation (Blaxter, Hughes & Tight, 2006). As stated earlier, the purpose of the study is to explore on ASD and the psychosocial interventions as a ways of treating the disorder. Symptoms of ASD show that the disorder may be severe when not addressed appropriately. However, contrary to what most people may think, the disorder is not a permanent situation. Most of the effects associated with it can be managed when appropriate measures are taken. That is to say ASD is curative.
Researches and discoveries have proved that the disorder has various cures ranging from stimulant medication, antipsychotic medication, other non-stimulant medications, behavioral interventions among others. The dissertation hereby seeks to explore on behavioral intervention as the most effective approach of managing ASD cases. The main aim if this thesis is to analyze the effectiveness of psychosocial/behavioral intervention in treating patients with ASD. The study is therefore guided by the following research question;
- Is psychosocial/behavioral intervention the most effective way of managing Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Hypotheses
The research uses the following hypothesis:
- H1: The general environment significantly affects Autism Spectrum Disorder patients.
- H2: ASD is curable and can be managed when correct measures are put in place.
- H3: Psychosocial/behavioral intervention is the most effective method of managing ASD.
Literature review
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a problem that has existed for a long period of time with the first cases dating back to the early 1940s. As stated earlier, current studies have shown shocking revelations. Today, it is estimated that almost 3% of the children in the world are affected with ASD (appendix B shows the various levels of ASD). That is to say, at least 3 children develop the disorder in every 100 children. With such shocking statistics, several efforts have been put towards controlling of the problem. However, it is important to first explore on the disorder and what causes it. The nature of autism and reasons that lead to its development is a question that merits and in-depth research, as the discovery of the reasons can provide solutions for diagnosis and therapy of the disorder. At times the disorder is mistaken for other similar symptoms that are dominant especially with children. However, the increased cases recorded today have raised the need for awareness of the disorder. As such, a number of researches have already been done.
The main cause ASD remains a misery. However, several factors have been linked to the condition as key contributors to the disorder. Genetic has been highlighted in various scientific researches as a cause of the disorder. It is believed that the disorder is heritable and that genetics account for a number of cases of ASD reported now in the United States. Children with disorder show similar traits as those of the parents or a person in their lineage in one way or the other. However, how genetics affect ASD is not explained. Some experts argue that combination of genes that affect dopamine transporters may lead to cases of ASD. Despite this, the issues of genetics and ASD have been complex as the disorder does not follow the genetic disease model. As such, it is believed that indeed genetic and ASD is an example of the complex interaction between the environmental and genetic factors.
Most scholars highlight the environment of the people as one of the vital aspects that greatly determine the fate of people especially children as far as ASD is concern. In the article; The Autism Spectrum, Boseley (2010) writes that ASD’s major characteristics is difficulties with social communication, social interaction and social imagination. Boseley approaches to the nature of autism as a number of impairments that influence each other and should be studied separately. Among these impairments include the environment in which the children are subjected to at a tender age. Various scholars note that ASD is less common in children who grow up in environments where they are exposed to other people to whom they can learn to talk and socialize with.
In my own view from the literature review I can associate the increased cases of ASD with the lack of knowledge on the matter among most people. Most of them have inadequate information about the disorder and hence mistake it for other medical conditions making it take root in the society. This ignorance especially among those parties that are directly associated with the disorder such as parents and teachers has been the main reason why several children have fallen victims of the disorder.
According to Boseley, psychosocial/behavioral intervention seems to be the most effective way of managing cases of ASD. Symptoms of the disorder always worsen due to the stigmatization that comes with it. For instance, most patients have been recorded to completely be unable to communicate in public because of lack of support from friends and family (Boseley, 2010) Peer influence plays a major role both in causing ASD and its treatment as well. In his article, he insists that the fact of peer influence as far as ASD treatment is concerned is a critical issue that needs to be clearly thought over. The success of any method employed to treat the disorder is directly proportioned to the peer influence to which the patient is exposed to.
Methodologies of mixed research
Collection of data is very vital for any research. It is from the collected data that the conclusion and recommendations are made. As such, collection, sampling and analyzing of data should be done methodically and with great keenness. Below is an evaluation of the methodologies used in mixed research.
Data collection and methods of data collection
This research will employ the mixed research method. With this method, data collection involves bringing together both qualitative and quantitative type of data as the design is a blend of the two approaches. Examples of qualitative data collected include interview ASD patients, drawings and images and written articles about the disorder. Hamel categorizes types of qualitative data into in-depth interviews, direct observation and written documents (Hamel, 2000). The way in which qualitative research will attain a deeper understanding of a given research product is by collection and analysis of data collected, respondents’ ideas, attitudes and feelings among others. According to Fukutake and Matsubara (1992) in their article; Methodologies of Social Survey (in Japan), qualitative research methods are mainly phenomenological, and that the purpose of qualitative research is to understand the current situation from the participants’ perspective.
Quantitative research on the other hand has a wide range of types of data in relation to this research. It aims at gathering, analyzing and measuring data from a large sample to see if there is any relationship between different variables associated with ASD. The data include various recorded measurements of quantities. Examples of these quantities are numbers of variables such as statistic records of numbers of patients. Quantitative research is thus more concerned with quantifying data collected through research methodology. It examines and interprets data that is quantifiable, measurable and finite. Acquisition of quantitative data can be obtained in different ways such as experimentation, testing and calculation. The results are usually displayed statistically (Bouma, 2004).
Data collection procedure can have different approaches and methods depending on the type of research. Two common approaches that are applicable for this research are the inductive approach and the deductive approach. Bouma (2004) writes that in the inductive approach, the researcher makes specific observations from the collected data and arrives at a new theory by observation and hypothesis. Conversely, the deductive approach begins the research process by reviewing and gathering theory, and then collecting data and drawing conclusions. However, these two research approaches are not mutually exclusive; hence a research study may have elements of both.
Similarly, a descriptive survey may also be effective. Bouma, (2004) states that a descriptive survey approach is used to study, to describe, to explore and to analyze relationships among geographically gathered subjects for example geographical distribution of ASD cases. In such context, a survey is the most appropriate method to capture and compare the probable effects of various aspects of the involved variables. Interviewing can be used as a method of collecting primary qualitative data. The researcher may decide to use one-on-one interviews or better still group interviews. In most cases these interviews are aimed at gathering information of what the respondents think about the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Use of questionnaires can also be instrumental in collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. With questionnaires, questions can be structured as closed or open-ended. Statistical data can be collected through observation, experimenting, testing and calculation.
Sampling
In order to obtain precise and reliable data in any given research, it is essential for the researcher to have the correct samples of the respondents. Sampling in this research can done based on the research objectives and because it is only specific information that is sought in this study, the researcher will ensure that the instruments used are sent to the specific respondents who have the relevant information that is required. Stratified and simple random sampling procedures will be used in selecting the study sample for this research. Stratified random sampling is used to ensure subgroups in the population are proportionally represented while simple random sampling is used to select respondents within the subgroups entirely on the basis of chance (Joubish, 2009). As thus, Stratified random sampling is for quantitative data while simple random sampling is for qualitative data. Data analysis of the sampled data can be performed by running statistical tests (e.g., correlation analysis and linear regression analysis) on the data to test the hypotheses.
Strengths and weaknesses
The method has a number of strengths. As stated earlier, the design’s major strength is the fact of it being a hybrid of two methods (qualitative and quantitative). This gives it the advantage of maximizing on the merits of the two methods while minimizing on their weaknesses. In situations where qualitative research is inapplicable quantitative research is used instead. Joubish (2009) writes, “The method discovers what would have been missed if only one approach had been applied” (p.35).
On the other hand, the method has a major challenge of maintaining a good blend between the two methods. In the book; The Research Process, Bouma (2004) writes;
Method lacks the capacity to formulate an integrated presentation technique that incorporates a balanced share of both methods. Quantification of qualitative data results in loss of depth and flexibility of the data; this method is tedious, time consuming, and expensive; the use of generalizations and specific statistical procedures is hindered; most researchers are either qualitative or quantitative and they have no knowledge base on the method they do not conform to. (p. 63)
The complexity of the whole process of theoretical study also brings with it many processes that can lead to some aspects of the topics being forgotten. This is addressed by being very careful to ensure that each and every aspect in the research questions and aims are adequately addressed.
On the other hand, one limitation of using a descriptive survey research method is that a large descriptive survey may give superficial results. Alternatively, small scale descriptive surveys with an emphasis on “qualitative” or “rich” detail have the limitation of poor generalizability. In such small surveys it is difficult to know how far the results can be applied elsewhere.
Threats to validity and reliability
One major threat to validity is that the sample is self-selected. The researcher has no institutional power to compel responses from a representative cross-section of the maritime industry, and is only empowered to conduct research on self-selected subjects. Because the sample has a lower confidence level and higher confidence interval, its results are accordingly weakened. One way to protect against this threat to validity is to attempt to draw a self-selected sample large enough to raise the confidence level while lowering the confidence interval (Neuman, 2006).
Ethical issues in research
There are a number of ethical issues that affect each and every research. Some of these issues work in favor of the research while others act as major obstacles. Researching on ASD especially on large scale is critical and may require government approval which may be in favor or against the research. Another ethical issue is that involving people’s private life. For instance, collection of data for a research on ASD may face challenges due to personal reasons of the respondents (Bouma, 2004). Interviewees may be unwilling to participate.
Level of risk associated with participation in the study
The risks of participation in any given research are always determined by the kind of study being carried out. For instance, this research may pose the risk of stigmatization of the participants. After testing positive to the disorder during the study, one may be discriminated by peers or family. Participation in medical related researches that involve scientific experiments may have the risk of accidental infection. Similarly participating in some studies also tie people down depriving them on the freedom of movement.
References
Blaxter, L., Hughes, C., & Tight, M. (2006). How to Research. Berkshire, England: Open University Press.
Bouma, G.D. (2004). The Research Process. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Boseley, S. (2010). Q&A: The Autism Spectrum. The Guardian. Web.
Fukutake, T., & Matsubara, H. (1992). Methodologies of Social Survey (in Japan). Tokyo: Yuhikaku Publishing Co.
Hamel, G. (2000). Leading the revolution. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Joubish, F. (2009). Educational Research. Karachi, Pakistan: Federal Urdu University Press.
Maurice, W., & Sara, H. (2009). The Oxford Paperback Dictionary & Thesaurus. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Neuman, W.L. (2006). Social Research Methods — Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Boston: Pearson A & B.
Appendix A
Appendix B
