Bacterial Meningitis Research Paper

I intend to research the prevention and the after effects of bacterial meningitis. The reason for considering this line of research is because it is widely discussed in the media and in every school, students are getting vaccinations against this disease. However, some are not due to strong beliefs in their religion, after effects or belief that it might affect the body in a negative way, which may result in other medical conditions. My question is; ‘How can bacterial meningitis be prevented and what are the significant after-effects of this disease?’. I changed my question multiple times as my topics were not broad enough, less specific and had limited information. I refined my question by brainstorming what I would specifically want to learn

about and make sure my question is broad enough. As a result, it allows me to have plenty of options and opportunities to research my areas of interest. Furthermore, my question was developed in conjunction with my teacher, who ensured that my question was ‘answerable’ and yet board enough for me to be able to research the areas and matter I am most interested. I know very little about this topic, so hopefully, during my research, I gain a better understanding of bacterial meningitis as I always wanted to explore a topic relating to health and medicine.

To guide and narrow my research, I have developed five subtopic questions that focus on the prevention and the after-effects of bacterial meningitis.

My sub-topic questions include: ‘What is bacterial meningitis?’, ‘What are the causes and impacts of bacterial meningitis?’, ‘How bacterial meningitis is treated?’, ’How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?’ and ‘What are the after effects of bacterial meningitis?’. These questions will summarise my key findings of bacterial meningitis, such as the definition, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and the after-effects of bacterial meningitis. These key findings will be the basis of my magazine in my outcome as each of these key findings will be presented in the form of an

article.

I will create a mind map and my research question will be my main topic to obtain some background information. Hence, these main areas will allow me to further understand my topic of interest. I will be able to broaden my understanding and awareness of these topic ideas (i.e. after-effects of bacterial meningitis). This allows me to answer my sub-topic questions and research question effectively.

Capabilities
The capabilities I have chosen to develop are the literacy and the ethical understanding capability.

Ethical understanding is most relevant capability to my research as bacterial meningitis is a current issue in the media and it can be a controversial topic for those who have strong beliefs or choose not get vaccinations due to the after-effects. I will need to understand more about the causes, how bacterial meningitis is prevented and the after-effects of bacterial meningitis. Developing the ethical understanding capability will help me recognise biased responses and opinions when analysing archival sources (visual and written) as well as the opinions of the Doctor and my interviewee’s. From conducting this research, I am aiming to gain a greater understanding of bacterial meningitis. However, I will need to ensure that I respect these opinions regardless if they are being

biased.

The literacy capability is relevant as English is my second language. By focusing on this capability, I will learn to be confident when I am communicating with different people when conducting interviews (i.e.: doctors or the meningitis survivor). Also, I will develop my communication skills. For example; I will use appropriate language when I am asking questions to my interviewees (in different contexts). By reading and analysing a variety of sources, such as books, news articles and brochures. By using various written sources, it will develop my understanding of different text types and increases my knowledge. When watching videos or taking interviews, I will utilise my listening skills and take notes, which will make it easier to analyse these sources. Thus, this capability will help me to improve my vocabulary, analytical skills, writing skills and my English, not just for this research, but also for future research projects.

Safety and Ethical Considerations
As my research topic is about bacterial meningitis, I need to consider how my topic will have an impact on others while doing the interviews. For example; it might be sensitive to those who have experienced this disease. As I’m interviewing a doctor and an individual, I need to be sensitive while I am talking to them and be respectful towards them and their opinions on this topic. However, before taking these interviews, I will ask for permission to meet in person and appreciate their time for answering my questions. I will ask them if I can record them, so I can use this information in my outcome to answer my sub-questions. I will make sure to be careful when asking questions and give them rights to not answer or avoid the questions that might make them uncomfortable. Moreover, I will ensure them that these interviews will remain confidential. I will not mention their names due to privacy reasons, thus I will mention them as interviewee 1 and interviewee 2.

Similarly, I will ensure that all my results are accurate, reliable and unbiased and also make sure these sources are checked before publication. I would also ensure the sources related to my topic are not outdated and reference all the sources correctly by using the referencing cite (Citethisforme.com), respect copyright laws and avoid plagiarism.

Outcome
The information and findings obtained will be presented in the form of a magazine article to educate adults at detailing the following key findings: the prevention and the after-effects of bacterial meningitis. This will allow me to clearly present the information about bacterial meningitis I have found from different sources. I will make concluding statements from the information and have it easily understandable and accessible to anyone interested. This magazine will show what skills and knowledge I have learned and developed throughout my research.

Planning of research processes appropriate to the research question
These sources will be explored and critically analysed to help answer my research question. Reliable archival sources (visual and written), including websites, news articles, reports, books and email the professionals (such as doctors). For example, a ‘Meningitis’ brochure will help me discover more about the after-effects (answers my last sub-question). Furthermore, I will visit the State Library, the National Library of Australia online because of my membership and local libraries near my area to find books relating to my topic. Through these articles, I will be able to find the answers to my sub-questions and my research question.