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Identifying Research Problems
To discuss the organization of identifying research problems as defined by Leedy et al (2019), a study conducted in South Carolina, United States of America (USA) that focused on mobile home residents’ perspectives of tornadoes was chosen as the focus. It also addressed the protective actions of the State of South Carolina, such as the encouragement of constructing community safety shelters.
In this study, K. D. Ash (2016) determined that residents of mobile and manufactured homes in the southern and eastern USA are at elevated risk for injury or death from tornado hazards. To answer the research question, twenty interviews were conducted to better understand why people do not follow the suggested course of action for tornadoes. It was found that confusion existed regarding safety procedures and structural limitations (Ash, 2016).
The problem in focus in a qualitative study of mobile home resident perspectives on tornadoes and tornado protective actions in South Carolina, USA is that residents of mobile or manufactured homes in the USA live in danger of injury or death from the risks of tornadoes (Ash, 2016).
Ash (2016) opens his research with the problem statement: “Occupants of mobile or manufactured homes in the USA are highly exposed and susceptible to injury or death from tornado hazards” (p. 1).
The research question targeted human behavior. Ash (2016) sought to understand why residents living in structurally limited housing rarely followed tornado safety precautions.
Ash (2016) states, “In this research I aim to provide insight as to why many mobile home residents seldom undertake the suggested course of action for tornadoes” (p. 1).
Due to the nature of the paper, the researcher did not state a hypothesis. Findings were discussed for suggestions on future research:
“The purpose of this article is to present and discuss perspectives on tornado preparedness and response gleaned from interviews conducted with mobile home occupants in South Carolina” (Ash, 2016, p. 2).
First, the study clearly stated the problem and question to communicate purpose. Next, to satisfy a logical process, the researcher followed a quantitative method to collect qualitative information regarding human behavior. Lastly, the reason for the study was defined and justified due to the impact of tornado hazards on daily life in the United States, specifically in high-risk areas where residents often live in mobile and manufactured housing (Ash, 2016, pp. 1-5).
The forefront issue for disregard of safety procedures seemed to be education. This cause-effect relationship was determined from the interviews conducted with residents by Ash (2016) that “suggested that mobile home residents are cognizant of multiple environmental hazards—both meteorological and other types—and that they sometimes focus on these other hazards and consequently place less emphasis on preparing and enacting a response strategy specifically for tornadoes.” (p. 12)
As a qualitative study conducted to determine the triggers of human behavior, Ash (2016) did not formulate a hypothesis:
“The purpose of the qualitative research approach in this study was to gain insight into important perspectives on evacuation for tornadoes that are either missing from the existing literature on tornado risk perception, preparedness, and protective actions, or that are not fully addressed by existing models of hazard preparedness, protective action, and evacuation behaviors.” (p. 7)
The goal was to discover motivating factors for life choices that create daily immediate danger. The study effectively shed light on a small sample of residents of a segment of the southeastern United States. Ash (2016) noted that “the interviews suggested that mobile home residents are cognizant of multiple environmental hazards—both meteorological and other types—and that they sometimes focus on these other hazards and consequently place less emphasis on preparing and enacting a response strategy specifically for tornadoes.” (p. 12)
Conclusion
The researcher used the findings to provide future research opportunities using behavioral frameworks, testing of hypothesized improvements, improved awareness, and recognition of the need to customize solutions dependent upon population segments (Ash, 2016, pp. 15-17).
References
American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Ash, K. D. (2016). A qualitative study of mobile home resident perspectives on tornadoes and tornado protective actions in South Carolina, USA. GeoJournal, 82(3), 533–552. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-016-9700-8
Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2018). Practical Research: Planning and Design (12th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.
Human Centric Designs 