The factors that contribute to Gender Based Violence (GBV) on campus.

Question

The content of the research proposal should include the following:
1. Title linking to the above-mentioned topic
2. Background and rationale section
3. Problem formulation
4. Key questions and objectives of the study
5. Research design and methodology
6. Ethical considerations
The title of your research proposal should link with the overall research topic and clearly
indicate the subject and factors that you would consider in such a research study, but should
be short and only include the most necessary words to describe the research topic.
In this section, you must indicate how you would conduct a literature review to convince the
readers of your proposal’s importance or necessity of the research. Clearly, indicate what
sources you would consider and how you will identify these sources. Provide information on
keywords that you would use to identify sources. Indicate what research paradigm you would
consider and why. Indicate what theoretical framework you would consider and why.
TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT
BACKGROUND, RATIONALE AND SIGNIFICANCE
(Background or orientation to your topic, the importance of your topic, rationale/motivation
for researching the topic)
2
Formulate the research problem that you would want to address linking it to the overall topic.
Outline the problem(s) you might want to address.
Indicate what the overarching goal of your research or the primary research objective
would be. Indicate how you got to this primary research objective. Formulate research
questions or hypotheses that you would like to address.
Describe the research methodology (i.e., quantitative, qualitative, mixed method) and design
that you would consider and why. The following questions can guide you:
• Which RESEARCH APPROACH OR DESIGN would you consider and why?
• What are the variables you would want to focus on?
• Do your results need to be GENERALISABLE to a greater population beyond just your
sample?
• What SAMPLING technique are you going to use?
• Who are YOUR RESPONDENTS (units of analysis) going to be?
• How many times do you need to collect data from each participant?
• Where are you going to GET THE DATA that you need to satisfy your research goal? Will
the data be available to you? Will you need permission from some authority to obtain the
data? Will they grant you permission?
• How do you plan to go about to GET YOUR RESPONDENTS TO PARTICIPATE?
• What is the most appropriate DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE to use and why? Are
there questionnaires/data collection instruments or approaches available or should you
develop your own that is purpose made for the study?
• Indicate the kind of DATA ANALYSIS you plan to perform on the data and why.
•
• Write down all of the ethical challenges faced by researchers and what steps you will
take to minimize any risks both to yourself and your participants. Include ethical
considerations related to the process, participants, methodology, your overall approach
and sensitivity of the context in which you propose to conduct yourresearch.
PROBLEM FORMULATION
RESEARCH OBJECTIVEs, AIMS, AND QUESTIONS/HYPOTHESES
(Based on the info from the problem formulation)
RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODOLOGY
(How are you going about gathering and analysing the data for your research?)

in 1500 words write the above assignment

Answer 1

Research Proposal: Understanding Factors Contributing to Gender-Based Violence on Campus

Background, Rationale, and Significance

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive issue that adversely affects academic environments worldwide. University campuses, often perceived as safe havens for young adults, are not immune to this phenomenon. The prevalence of GBV on campuses can have far-reaching impacts on students’ mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. According to studies, approximately 1 in 5 college women and 1 in 16 college men experience sexual assault during their time at university (National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 2020). The necessity for focused research in this area is paramount to develop effective interventions and support mechanisms.

The rationale for this study arises from a growing recognition that GBV is not merely an individual problem but a complex interplay of social, cultural, institutional, and interpersonal factors. Many institutions have implemented policies to combat GBV; however, the effectiveness of these initiatives often relies on understanding the underlying factors that contribute to its prevalence. Identifying these factors will inform universities in crafting targeted prevention strategies and fostering a campus culture that is inclusive and respectful.

Problem Formulation

The primary problem this research seeks to address is the lack of understanding of the multifaceted factors that contribute to GBV on university campuses. This includes the sociocultural norms, peer influences, institutional responses, and individual behaviors that perpetuate this violence. Addressing this problem requires an in-depth exploration of both the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of GBV.

The overarching goal of this research is to identify, analyze, and understand the contributing factors to GBV on campuses, thereby facilitating the development of informed policy recommendations and intervention programs.

Primary Research Objectives:

1. To identify the sociocultural factors that contribute to GBV among university students.
2. To examine the role of institutional policies and responses to GBV.
3. To explore the impact of peer relationships and social networks on GBV occurrences.

Research Questions:

1. What sociocultural factors influence the prevalence of GBV on university campuses?
2. How effective are current institutional policies in addressing and preventing GBV?
3. In what ways do peer dynamics contribute to either the perpetuation or prevention of GBV on campus?

Research Design & Methodology

Given the complexity of the topic, a mixed-methods research design will be employed. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of GBV by integrating quantitative data on the prevalence of behaviors and qualitative insights into students’ experiences and attitudes.

Research Approach and Design

1. Qualitative and Quantitative Elements: The quantitative component will involve surveys distributed to the student population to gather data on personal experiences with GBV, perceptions of safety, and knowledge of institutional resources. The qualitative aspect will include focus group discussions and interviews to explore deeper narratives around GBV experiences, cultural perceptions, and institutional shortcomings.

2. Variables: The key variables to be studied include:

   • Prevalence and types of GBV incidents.
   • Sociocultural beliefs and attitudes toward gender roles and violence.
   • Awareness and perception of institutional policies on GBV.
   • Peer influences and social networks.

3. Generalisability: While the results may not be fully generalizable beyond the immediate campus population, findings will provide valuable insights that can be compared and adapted to other university settings.

4. Sampling Technique: Stratified random sampling will be employed to ensure representation from diverse demographics, including gender, ethnicity, and academic discipline. This will ensure that the study captures a broad spectrum of experiences.

5. Respondents: The primary respondents will include undergraduate and graduate students of different backgrounds, faculty members involved in student welfare, and campus security personnel.

6. Data Collection Timeline: Data will be collected once from each participant through surveys and interviews, allowing for an in-depth analysis of individual perspectives while also providing a snapshot of broader trends.

7. Data Access and Permissions: Access to participants will be facilitated through collaborations with campus organizations and student unions. Approval will be sought from the university's Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure ethical compliance.

8. Participant Recruitment: Inviting participants will involve outreach through social media, campus flyers, and information sessions. Incentives may be considered to encourage participation while ensuring not to compromise voluntary consent.

9. Data Collection Techniques: Surveys will utilize validated scales (e.g., the Sexual Experiences Survey) to ensure reliability and validity. Focus group discussions will be semi-structured to encourage open dialogue while addressing specific themes.

10. Data Analysis: Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical software (e.g., SPSS) to identify patterns and correlations. Qualitative data from interviews and focus groups will be subjected to thematic analysis to identify recurrent themes related to perceptions and experiences of GBV.

Ethical Considerations

Researching GBV poses significant ethical challenges. Key ethical considerations include:

1. Informed Consent: Participants will be provided with detailed information about the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits, ensuring that they provide informed consent voluntarily.

2. Confidentiality: All collected data will be anonymized, and measures will be taken to prevent the identification of respondents in any reporting or publication.

3. Sensitivity: Given the topic's sensitive nature, special considerations will be taken to offer resources for participants needing support during or after participation.

4. Voluntary Participation: Emphasizing that participation is voluntary and that participants can withdraw at any time without consequence is crucial.

5. Institutional Approval: Ethical approval from the IRB will be secured before data collection begins, ensuring adherence to established ethical research standards.

In conclusion, this research aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge surrounding GBV on campuses, highlighting the complexities that warrant comprehensive, informed strategies for prevention and intervention. By understanding and addressing the factors contributing to GBV, universities can take proactive steps toward creating a safer, more equitable academic environment.