401080 Research Protocol Design and Practice Assignment Sample

• Subject Code : 401080
• University : Western Sydney University My Assignment Services is not sponsored or endorsed by this college or university.
• Subject Name : Research Proposal

The Effect of Covid-19 Among International Students at The University of Sydney

Research Problem

History is the ultimate evidence of global pandemics are existing since ages and it has caused massive destruction to affected communities in the past. Estimates recommend that approximately 10% of the global population died due to pandemics (Viner et al., 2020). For instance, Ebola in Africa, Flu in Spanish, HIV in Congo, etc has caused millions of deaths (Viner et al., 2020). With such deadly pandemics, people and society are largely affected, not only due to death, but for the economic decline, lockdowns, and interruption in regular and essential activities (Viner et al., 2020). Concerning such fact, the recent pandemic of novel coronavirus also known as COVID 19 which has affected millions of people and is spreading like wildfire across the globe (Chinazzi et al., 2020). Almost 90% of the country's respective governments have declared a national health emergency and issued countywide lockdowns strictly (Chinazzi et al., 2020).

The coronavirus pandemic is so sudden that no effective government could take any preventive measure before it hit the region drastically (Chinazzi et al., 2020). Every country is working 24x7 to fight with the virus mutually and effectively. However, no such solid remedies have come across till date. Educational institutions are badly affected as students and children are unable to go to colleges and colleges due to the rigid lockdown policies for COVID 19 (Viner et al., 2020). Moreover, students who study in foreign countries are in extreme severity due to the countrywide lockdown policies (Viner et al., 2020). It is severely hampering studies, life, and mental state of mind of students (Lee, 2020). The strict lockdowns causing frustration and anxiety within people and students, which is creating negative conflicts among society and students as well (Lee, 2020).

Subsequently, these factors are causing more effects than the coronavirus itself (Lee, 2020). Relating to such fact, several pieces of research have been conducted concerning this topic; however, no author has specifically performed research or study about the effects of COVID 19 among international students in the University of Sydney, Australia. It is of considerable fact that Australia is an emerging education hub for foreign students and end numbers of students comes from all over the globe to pursue their higher education studies. Relating to such factor, analysing the impacts of coronavirus disease among university students of Sydney, Australia. Thereby, this particular research study will focus on assessing the effects of COVID 19 among international students at the University of Sydney, Australia and help to understand the impacts of such on international students.

What Is Already Known

There are end numbers of researchers who have been performed studies related to the factors and effects of coronavirus disease. Most medical journals and treatments researches have been conducted largely as they perceive that as a priority to study, and is logical in sense. However, there are fewer numbers of studies have been performed identifying the effects among international students, specifically in the University of Sydney, Australia. Thus, in-depth research and concentration are required to analyse the effects of coronavirus pandemic among international students to know its challenges and how to overcome the identified issues positively.

According to a study by Burgess & Sievertsen, (2020), has described end numbers of the impact of COVID 19 on education across the globe and provided significant understanding on what can be done to eradicate such negative impacts (Burgess & Sievertsen, 2020). The authors have critically analysed the negative impacts that the recent virus outbreak has caused to the educational institutions and children significantly (Burgess & Sievertsen, 2020). In their research, Burgess & Sievertsen, (2020) has indicated that COVID 19 is a serious health emergency and crisis that is affecting millions of lives across the globe (Burgess & Sievertsen, 2020). Several nations have decided to impose closure of schools, colleges, and universities to ensure safety and protection to children and students (Burgess & Sievertsen, 2020). Moreover, concerning to university graduates, the authors have also indicated that careers of college students are at stake due to the COVID 19 pandemic across the globe (Burgess & Sievertsen, 2020).

Students have faced major disruptions in acquiring important lectures for their final year of study and in their assessments as well (Burgess & Sievertsen, 2020). The study also reveals that the COVID 19 pandemic will likely to cause a global recession across the globe causing economic downfall, which will subsequently lead to loss of jobs, no more job vacancies, and enduring effect on career prospects (Burgess & Sievertsen, 2020). Concerning such challenges identified by the authors has suggested few solutions which include governmental support towards students in finding a sustainable career, skill development, and rebuilding the economy mutually to ensure recovery from the drastic effect of COVID 19 pandemic (Burgess & Sievertsen, 2020). Hence, this indicates that the effect of COVID 19 pandemic has caused massive destruction of education across the globe.

Another study by Cao et al., (2020), which is specifically limited to the university students of China has indicated several psychological effects among students which are creating negative impact for the future education and economy subsequently (Cao et al., 2020). The study reveals that the deadly coronavirus epidemic since December 2019 is outbreaking in China and other parts in the country causing a massive negative impact on its citizen (Cao et al., 2020). The COVID 19 pandemic not only caused end numbers of deaths but also caused psychological pressure among university students which is a sign of negative impact (Cao et al., 2020). The study has been conducted by collecting samples form Changzhi Medical College in China through a cluster sampling method (Cao et al., 2020). The authors have received 7143 responses and outcomes showed that 0.9% of the respondents were suffering from severe nervousness, 2.7% with reasonable nervousness, and 21.3% with minor nervousness (Cao et al., 2020).

After a thorough analysis of the data collected through cluster sampling method, the results of correlation analysis show that the economic decline, effects on way of life, and delays in academic progression and activities has caused such psychological pressure among university students in China negatively (Cao et al., 2020). Hence, this clarifies that the COVID 19 pandemic has created a psychological impact as well on the university students and it is crucial to note such factors for future point of reference. On the other hand, there has been a dream for many students across the globe to pursue their dream degree from their dream college or university; however, the COVID 19 pandemic seems to be creating obstruct to such students. A study by Mandhani, (2020) has shown significant insights about various aspiring Indian student’s dream to pursue higher levels of education from their dream universities like Harvard, UK, and several renowned universities in Australia, Canada, and Singapore. Mandhani, (2020), have interviewed major educational experts and aspiring graduates to identify their perspectives on the effects of COVID 19 pandemic on their studies, education, and dream to pursue higher education in top tier institutes across the globe (Mandhani, 2020).

The entire report describes and discusses the COVID 19 effects that it caused dropping the dream of Indian students to study in overseas universities into chaos (Mandhani, 2020). This indicates how the effects of COVID 19 pandemic has plunged the dreams of students to pursue an education in overseas universities and the fear of career downfall at the same time. A study by Hope, (2020), which analyses the effects of COVID 19 epidemic on college and university processes and daily life in general (Hope, 2020). In addition, the study has a specific focus on assessing the impacts on every factor of educational operations (Hope, 2020). Concerning such fact, the pandemic has caused a drastic decline and interruptions in college and university operations negatively (Hope, 2020).

Thereby, it critically leading towards inefficiency and less productivity in acquiring knowledge, skills, and assessments of the aspiring college and university students undesirably. Relating to such impacts, (Hope, 2020) have suggested and found out few solutions to the challenges faced by the students (Hope, 2020). It includes utilizing modern technologies like video conference, online chat, tailored educational portals, live streaming tools, donation drives, etc (Hope, 2020). With such said methods, the author signifies that it will help engage students and educational establishments, keeping constant learning flow, and to have an effective interactive session concerning educating and learning (Hope, 2020). Thus, it has been understood that educational institutions, for example, colleges and universities are facing difficulties in educational operations due to the COVID 19 pandemic and the identified solution shall be beneficial.

Gap in Knowledge

Identifying a research gap is crucial before performing any study. A research gap can be defined as the gap in the literature and the area which has not been yet explored or unattended by previous researchers (Krishnaswamy et al., 2016). It includes sampling method, data collection method, research analysis, research variables, and research method (Krishnaswamy et al., 2016). It is important to consider the gap in a research study as it helps to cover those gaps which were missed or have not attended (Krishnaswamy et al., 2016). This assists in expressing the more important areas which were covered and require the utmost attention to study (Pangrazio, 2016). Thus, in this research, it has been identified that several types of research have conducted in the past, but no research was about the university students of Sydney, Australia. Past researches were either limited to China or limited to psychological and medical subject areas. Hence, researching on this particular topic will help understand and provide insight regarding the effect of COVID 19 pandemic among international students at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Research question

Based on the research topic, the research questions will be:

1. What is the effect of COVID 19 among the international students at the University of Sydney, Australia?

2. What can be done to overcome the effects of COVID 19 pandemic among the international students at the University of Sydney, Australia?

3. What are the future possibilities to recover from the effects of COVID 19 epidemic among international students at the University of Sydney, Australia?

What Needs to Be Known

This particular section will be an important area to focus upon as it will provide essential understanding about what needs to know to answer the identified research questions. Since the research study is limited to the University of Sydney, Australia, thereby, all the data collection event will be within the university and Australia. In this research, qualitative research methodology will be applied by scrutinizing and gathering accurate and reliable information from valid and authentic scholarly resources (Habineza, 2020). This will help provide the research to gain more weightage in significance for the study and providing insights about the effect of COVID 19 pandemic among international students at the University of Sydney, Australia. Applying content analysis method. all the contents of the selected literature, articles, books, and articulated stories will be critical analysis to identify any vague information or generalizing the topic instead of being specific (Sechelski & Onwuegbuzie, 2019). Moreover, employing narrative analysis method, every collected data from interviews, surveys, journals, articles, observations, magazines, public stories, and surveys will be thoroughly analysed

to identify truth, validity, and importance of that specific data in the proposed research (Sechelski & Onwuegbuzie, 2019). In addition to that, through discourse analysis approach will help analyse all the interactions made with the selected respondents to look and understand their day to day atmospheres and significantly using such data during the development of research analysis (Sechelski & Onwuegbuzie, 2019). Thus, by applying this research methodology will help to find the answer to the unanswered important research questions and problems effectively.

Project Aims and Expected Benefits

Concerning to this research, the project aim will be: 1. To critically identify and analyse the effects of COVID 19 epidemic among international students at the University of Sydney, Australia. 2. To recommend a beneficial solution that will help ease or be the best path of action on the several impacts of COVID 19 outbreak on international students studying at the University of Sydney, Australia. Now, by performing research, the following are the possible benefits that can be expected: 1. It will help provide a significant understanding of various effects of COVID 19 pandemic among the international students at the University of Sydney, Australia. 2. It will be beneficial for further researches on a similar research topic or area which can be used as a future point of reference.

Design

The research will be specifically focused on answering the research questions and problems significantly, with adherence to the procedures of being realistic, being convincing, making comprehensive relations, focusing on being clear, and implementing effectual planning before drafting or performing the research project.

Setting

The place for the research project will be at the University of Sydney, Australia and the situation will be the effects of COVID 19 epidemic among the international students within the same university.

Sample description

For this research project, the sample size will be 100 which involves collecting data from 100 samples including 10 educational experts, 70 university students of Sydney, Australia, 15 effective and reliable educational and economic journalists, and 5 selected past researchers performed the related study.

Sampling method

The sampling method will be based on the three key approaches such as purposive sampling, quota sampling, and snowball sampling (Tolley et al., 2016). Since the research methodology will be based on qualitative research method; thereby, using this specific sampling method will be effective and beneficial for the research (Tolley et al., 2016).

Sample recruitment and retention

First, searching for related articles and books online or offline based on availability and feasibility. Second, assessing the information in-depth and cross-check with authentic sources to verify its legitimacy. Third, identify, communicate, and getting appointments for interviews of effective and reliable experts, professors, economists, international students of the university, and selected journalists. This will help effectively to gather and filter the required data to assess them and conclude the research with a beneficial outcome for further research purposes based on qualitative research.

Data analysis

Data analysis will be performed based on the findings from the literature review, interviews, surveys, and observations to successfully draft the research project proficiently ensuring accuracy and reliability at the same time.

Ethics

According to the research code imposed by the research council of the Australian government, 2018 states that the broad ethics that characterise a true, moral, and meticulous research culture is essential for any research performed (Arc.gov.au, 2015). In addition to that, as per the ARC open access policy of 2017, states that every research article must be accessible throughout Australia regarding increase awareness and education (Arc.gov.au, 2015). Adhering to such codes will help prevent any negligence and offence of guidelines’ thus, making the research project more effective and reliable.

Scope and limitations

Preforming this particular research will help understand, identify, and analyse the effect of COVID 19 epidemic among international students at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Budget

Budget for the research project:

References for Research Protocol Design and Practice

Arc.gov.au. (2015). Codes and Guidelines | Australian Research Council. Arc.gov.au. Retrieved 4 June 2020, from https://www.arc.gov.au/policies-strategies/policy/codes-and-guidelines.

Burgess, S., & Sievertsen, H. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on education | VOX, CEPR Policy Portal. Voxeu.org. Retrieved 4 June 2020, from https://voxeu.org/article/impact-covid-19-education.

Cao, W., Fang, Z., Hou, G., Han, M., Xu, X., Dong, J., & Zheng, J. (2020). The psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on college students in China. Psychiatry Research, 287, 112934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112934

Chhabra, N., Roy, V., Jain, R., & Patra, S. (2018). An Overview of Qualitative Research. Journal Of Research In Medical Education & Ethics, 8(si), 30. https://doi.org/10.5958/2231-6728.2018.00049.5

Chinazzi, M., Davis, J., Ajelli, M., Gioannini, C., Litvinova, M., & Merler, S. et al. (2020). The effect of travel restrictions on the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Science, eaba9757. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aba9757

Habineza, F. (2020). Attitudes of Undergraduate Students Towards Self-employment in Yemen Public Universities. Research On Humanities And Social Sciences, 268-389. https://doi.org/10.7176/rhss/10-2-08

Hope, J. (2020). Be aware of how COVID‐19 could impact international students. The Successful Registrar, 20(3), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/tsr.30708

Krishnaswamy, K., Sivakumar, I., & Mathirajan, M. (2016). Management Research Methodology: Integration of Principles, Methods and Techniques (1st ed., pp. 218-335). University Management Series, VTU.

Lee, J. (2020). Mental health effects of college closures during COVID-19. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(6), 421. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2352-4642(20)30109-7

Mandhani, N. (2020). Covid-19 plunges Indians' study abroad dreams into turmoil. BBC News. Retrieved 4 June 2020, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52846214.

Pangrazio, L. (2016). Exploring provocation as a research method in the social sciences. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 20(2), 225-236. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2016.1161346

Sechelski, A., & Onwuegbuzie, A. (2019). A Call for Enhancing Saturation at the Qualitative Data Analysis Stage via the Use of Multiple Qualitative Data Analysis Approaches. The Qualitative Report; Fort Lauderdale, 24(1), 795-821.

Tolley, E., Ulin, P., Mack, N., Robinson, E., & Succop, S. (2016). Qualitative Methods in Public Health: A Field Guide for Applied Research (1st ed., pp. 5-8). Family Health International.

Viner, R., Russell, S., Croker, H., Packer, J., Ward, J., & Stansfield, C. et al. (2020). College Closure and Management Practices During Coronavirus

Outbreaks Including COVID-19: A Rapid Narrative Systematic Review. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3556648

Wutich, A., & Bernard, H. (2016). Sharing qualitative data & analysis. With whom and how widely? A response to ‘Promises and pitfalls of data sharing in qualitative research’. Social Science & Medicine, 169, 199-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.09.041

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