Friday, September 5, 2008

Potential Research Project Topics (Edited)

Observation:

Singapore is experiencing the problem of low birth rate common in developed nations, with the Total Birth Rate (TBR) standing at 1.29. This means that each family is on average producing enough just to replace either the father or the mother. To aggravate the situation, it has been predicted that this statistic will decline rapidly in the next few generations. The potential reason behind this scenario may be due to the change of mindsets of young adults nowadays. In the age of Confucian societies, men used to be masters of the households. However, times have changed and women want to be treated as equals. No longer are women satisfied with their traditional roles of staying at home to look after the family. Despite this changing phenomenon, men have yet to change their mindsets. Consequently, both parties are unable to settle for a partner due to different expectations on both ends. To attempt to tackle this problem, policies and incentives were announced during the national day rally by the Prime Minister to encourage single citizens to get married and startup their family early. These policies include an extra month of maternity leave, tax incentives and bigger Baby Bonus, to achieve the right balance between career and marriage.

General Research Question:

Would the implementation of the new Marriage and Parenthood package by the government have a huge effect on the new generation of couples to settle down quickly and give birth to more children? If not, what are their suggestions and reasons that may alleviate their concerns?

Problem Statement:

The objective of this research study is to analyze the reasons behind the low (TBR) and its impact on the society. Moreover, with the new policies adopted by the government, will it effectively solve the problem of continual decline in birth rate?

Purpose Statement:

The objective of this report is to garner the responses of the target audience and inform the Social Development Unit about the reasons behind this low birth rate trend. Another objective is to find out if the new strategies to boost the birth rate are indeed successful in motivating the young adults.

Survey Methodology:

The survey sample will be focused on the young educated adults within the NUS community. Through this survey, we can investigate whether the concerns of the targetted sample is coherent to the government observations on the reasons behind this declining Birth Rate trend in Singapore. Furthermore, We would like to explore whether the solutions and incentives tabled by the government is sufficient to change the mindset of the youths on marriage and setting up a family with 2 children.

6 comments:

Brad Blackstone said...

This is a fascinating general topic, but it seems to me that you're just tacking on the environmental variable at the end. Why not dispense with that and search for a better angle?

Of course, also implicit in this "observation" is that the 1.29 TBR is "bad." I think it would be interesting to query NUS students on that premise.
What do students at NUS think about this?
As the population increases, there could be a strain on public services and the struggle for a fair share of the economic pie might increase, or not? Some would argue that the pie size will increase accordingly, of course, so there would not be a problem, while others may have contradictory opinions.

Your hypothesis needs restated. Can you connect your research with the population that you will survey more directly? Maybe you should go back to the drawing board for your research question.
(Please see the hand out on documenting reports for more clarification of this!)

if you do, and I think you should, then your statements will have to change.

Thanks, Jia Hao!

Sharon said...

It depends on how you define "environmental". If you mean physical "green" environment, then the link with TBR is tenuous at best. In this case, choose either TBR or environment as your topic. However, if you mean social environment, then the link with TBR is much stronger.

Unless you link physical "green" environment with social environment... carbon emissions -> increase in cost of living -> ??

Danny Wong said...

Dear Jiahao,

I think you should find a good connection between the issue of declining birth rate and its relation to the environment as stated in your post:

"There is no relationship between the declining birth rate and the environmental issues."

What are the relationship that you are referring to? Furthermore, is there any specific environmental issues that you are referring to?


Regards,
Danny.

Brad Blackstone said...

p.s. Did I say this earlier? The assignment calls for your general research question as well. Try to relate that to your topic and the survey population.

Thanks!

Huiling said...

Hey Jiahao, I think probably you need to define a more clearer relationship between the presence of low birth rate and environmental issues. As from what I've read from your post, it seems like there's no direct relationship between the low birth rate and environmental problems. But certainly I think that if there's a substantial increase in the birth rates, there will be a relevant increase in the usage of resources which in turns increases the amount of waste produced.

:: Jiahao :: said...

Hi all, I have read through the comments and have attempted to take all of them into consideration in the edited post. Thank you for the suggestions.

Brad, I would establish a link with my research topic to the survey population and probably dispense the environmental variable as it seemed too complexed and ambitious.