Research Proposal
INTRODUCTION
This paper will present the reader with a research proposal, focusing on the research method used and the steps undertaken in a research process. Babbie (2011:126) states that “a research proposal provides a preview of why a study will be undertaken and how it will be conducted.”
The area of research interest will be presented, with a literature review of previous relevant published papers studying the topic of my research proposal. I will briefly review these six papers, commenting on the methods and processes used and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each study. I will also make a comment on what insights I gained from each paper.
My research aim will be stated, along with the methods and processes I will use to undertake the study. I will justify the sampling methods and processes I use to ensure that the study is relevant to the area of interest.
AREA OF RESEARCH INTEREST
The research I wish to undertake will evaluate the outcomes of a newly introduced fast track system in a rural Emergency Department (ED).
BACKGROUND
Patient demand for emergency healthcare has seen a rise all over the world in the numbers of presentations to EDs, resulting in delays in patient treatment times, overcrowding of EDs and increased numbers of patients failing to wait for treatment (Combs, Chapman & Bushby, 2006:197; Lowthian, Curtis, Jolley, Stoelwinder, McNeil & Cameron, 2012:128). According to Lowthian et al (2012: 128), there has been an increase of 55% in the number of ED presentations in Melbourne between 1999-2000 and 2008-2009.
In 2001, the Victorian Government implemented a four year strategy which was aimed to decrease the demand on Victorian EDs following a sustained increase in patient demand for health care services (Department of Human Services, 2008:2). One of the interventions to arise from the demand placed upon EDs was the introduction of a fast track system, which streams patients with non-urgent complaints to be treated in a
This paper will present the reader with a research proposal, focusing on the research method used and the steps undertaken in a research process. Babbie (2011:126) states that “a research proposal provides a preview of why a study will be undertaken and how it will be conducted.”
The area of research interest will be presented, with a literature review of previous relevant published papers studying the topic of my research proposal. I will briefly review these six papers, commenting on the methods and processes used and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each study. I will also make a comment on what insights I gained from each paper.
My research aim will be stated, along with the methods and processes I will use to undertake the study. I will justify the sampling methods and processes I use to ensure that the study is relevant to the area of interest.
AREA OF RESEARCH INTEREST
The research I wish to undertake will evaluate the outcomes of a newly introduced fast track system in a rural Emergency Department (ED).
BACKGROUND
Patient demand for emergency healthcare has seen a rise all over the world in the numbers of presentations to EDs, resulting in delays in patient treatment times, overcrowding of EDs and increased numbers of patients failing to wait for treatment (Combs, Chapman & Bushby, 2006:197; Lowthian, Curtis, Jolley, Stoelwinder, McNeil & Cameron, 2012:128). According to Lowthian et al (2012: 128), there has been an increase of 55% in the number of ED presentations in Melbourne between 1999-2000 and 2008-2009.
In 2001, the Victorian Government implemented a four year strategy which was aimed to decrease the demand on Victorian EDs following a sustained increase in patient demand for health care services (Department of Human Services, 2008:2). One of the interventions to arise from the demand placed upon EDs was the introduction of a fast track system, which streams patients with non-urgent complaints to be treated in a