Research Journal #1

What was the process by which you narrowed down potential topics to two appropriate ones? And how were these decisions made by either class discussion, or are required, course textbook (Aveyard 2014), or both?

I wanted to research a public health topic that has an impact on our future and perhaps may often be overlooked. The single most important factor when determining health is the individuals economic status and background. We continue to see an economic gap growing between those at the top and those at the bottom, with this growing inequality obesity rates are exploding in these poor communities. I intend to Research the underlying causes of this disparity.

What research question did you choose, and how can I be sure you're making a reasoned, academic judgement on the basis of chapters 1-3 (Aveyard 2014)? 

Research Question: Impacts of socioeconomic status as a determining factor childhood obesity in the United States. I felt that focusing on a single are group as opposed to the general high class and lower class individuals would significantly narrow down my research and overall make it easieer to work with.  Are individuals from a lower socioeconomic status more likely to suffer from childhood obesity ? How does this compare to other social classes? Why are the lower social classes suffering more? Are the same services available to them ?

What article (or articles) are you basing this question on, and what type of article is it (research, theory, policy, practice) (citation[s] in APA, please)? 

Carroll, D., & Smith, G. D. (1999). Socioeconomic status and cardiovascular response. American Journal of Public Health, 89(3), 415–416.

 Martens, P. J., Chateau, D. G., Burland, E. M., Finlayson, G. S., Smith, M. J., Taylor, C. R., . . . Bolton, J. M. (2014). The Effect of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status on Education and Health Outcomes for Children Living in Social Housing. American Journal of Public Health, 104(11), 2103-2113. doi:10.2105/ajph.2014.302133

Veldhuis, L., Vogel, I., Rossem, L. V., Renders, C., Hirasing, R., Mackenbach, J., & Raat, H. (2013). Influence of Maternal and Child Lifestyle-Related Characteristics on the Socioeconomic Inequality in Overweight and Obesity among 5-year-old Children; The “Be Active, Eat Right” Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10(6), 2336-2347. doi:10.3390/ijerph10062336

 Huynh, M., Borrell, L. N., & Chambers, E. C. (2013). Maternal Education and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain in New York City, 1999–2001: The Effect of Race/Ethnicity and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 18(1), 138-145. doi:10.1007/s10995-013-1246-5

How can I be sure that the key vocabulary of the question corresponds not only to literature in the field, but also to chapter 1-3 (Aveyard 2014)? 

I was able to find several studies that examine the correlation between childhood obesity and socioeconomic status. Each of these studies explore the same basic approach to the problem at hand therefore making them extremely valuable for my research. 

Based on what your question is, what kind of literature are you going to need? Again, please explicitly reference the text (Aveyard 2014). What is your hierarchy of evidence? 

My Hierarchy of Evidence (Aveyard 70)

1: Expert opinion 

2: Systematic Reviews of observational studies

3: Services at their disposal 

4: Compare of low class and high class

How exactly did you research question arise out of "practice"?

My question arises from practice because I believe it is essential to have good health among all invidivuals. Everyone should have access to the same health services and education.

How do you define your key terms, and how do these definitions link to key journals in the field?

Childhood obesity 

Socioeconomic status

Child development 

Cardiovascular health 

Health disparity's 

Did anything unexpected happen? From you initial search, does it appear as though your research question will work? Or does the vocabulary and/or type of research sought need to be changed? 

As of now from my initial search it appers that my research question will work, I have found compelling evidence to support a link between childhood obesity and socioeconomic status.

Any final thoughts?  

Excited to be working on this topic since it it something that I believe in, as of now I do not expect any issues however I would like to search for more journals to research.