Introduction
In the United States of America, teenage pregnancy has been rated to be among the most serious, complex, and challenging problems that are facing the public sector (McEwen, 2002). Moreover, studies reveal that teenage pregnancy has been on the increase. For instance, studies carried out by the USDHHS and the ODPHP stated the following:
Higher teenage pregnancy rates are directly tied to reports that teenagers are becoming sexually active at younger ages. In 1970, 28.6% of the adolescent women (15 – 19 years) were sexually active adolescent females had increased to 50%.
Research Design
The researcher shall utilize descriptive epidemiologic research. This design or approach provides descriptive information detailing person, place, and time when they are collected. This design encompasses correlation studies, case reports, and surveys (Monsen & Horn, 2008). Because it generates qualitative data it will largely involve observation, in-depth-individual interviews, and focus group interviews.
Target Population
The target population in this study is varied. This is because the intended study focuses on a population that is dynamic and connected to a variety of persons. Furthermore, because the study at hand seeks to compare two age groups, it follows that I shall seek to obtain data from different populations. The first target population is the teenage population which falls between 13 -18 years and adults between 25-35 years for comparison’s sake.
Data collection
Data collection entails obtaining information from the respondents. This is normally influenced by the research methodology used. For instance, in this case, the epidemiologic approach has been used. The instruments for data collection will include observation, in-depth individual and group interviews, and focus group discussions. I intend to interview the teenage group, the foster care personnel, the school personnel, and the sample population of young adults. I shall also review data from the archives to compare data from other sources.
Because this study is intended for policy formulation and the entire public, I shall first seek permission from the local authorities. This includes the school administration where I shall obtain data from the teenagers, then present a proposal to the Department of Family Services in form of a request requesting permission to interview the members of their foster care department about this issue. This will highlight the challenges that they have been encountering about the population at hand. Furthermore, they are likely to have information regarding the challenges they might be going through and provide the researcher with a reflection of how things have been in the past.
To obtain an untainted sample, I intend to advertise as well as request for a sample population from the Department of Family Services and the school. This strategy is known as snowballing where intend to seek capable or informed persons whose views shall go along way towards enabling the researcher to collect valid data.
Conclusion
Findings in this study will be applied in program planning, identification of the population needs, and the development of educational material (Monsen & Horn, 2008).
References
McEwen, M. (2002). Community – based nursing: An introduction. Missouri: Elsevier Health Services.
Monsen, E., & Horn, L. V. (2008). Research: Successful Approaches (3rd ed.). California: American Dietetic Association.