Embarking on the research journey

In the past three weeks of research the biggest challenge that has been faced thus far has been finding a research gap. It has been difficult to find an appropriate area of research that can be both completed in the short time period of 13 weeks and provide new information to an area of interest.

Currently there is a considerable amount of research investigating long-run trends of alcohol consumption overtime. The research aims to find what type of variables influence alcohol consumption with the aim of lowering the average rate of consumption. For example, education and price are two key variables affecting the overall consumption of alcohol in countries such as the US and Australia. Each country strives to lower the amount of alcohol consumed year to year, however they are not identical in their methods of achieving this goal. Whilst there has been extensive work done in this area of research, a multi country comparison of how these variables affect alcohol consumption has not been done. By comparing results from different countries I hope to identify what particular methods work best in reducing alcohol consumption and propose a universal method for reducing alcohol consumption.

Research into alcohol consumption and the factors that affect it are important for public health. Investigating factors that lower the consumption of alcohol can lead to efficient policy that reduce alcohol related health issues such as disease.

During my studies at UOW I’ve studied statistics and econometrics. These classes will be of use in assisting in the extrapolation of data, running regression type models and deciphering any results at the conclusion of the research. Also having lived in both Australia and the US I have an understanding of the culture surrounding alcohol consumption, particularly among young people.

Moving forward now the goal is to find a particular model used by researchers to analyse alcohol consumption levels overtime and their response to dependent variables. Once I’ve found the model I can proceed to start the analytical section of research and produce results. This will be the first independent research project I’ve done over the course of my time at UOW. The challenges will be implicit in the unfamiliarity of how best to proceed with the research. Do I have enough time to answer the questions asked? Is the model I’ve chosen appropriate to work with given my level of ability as a researcher? Will there be enough data present to effectively answer research questions?

Given that this entire process will be new territory also means that there is a large space for learning and skill development. I will have more time to work with Eviews in analysis of data and revisit some of the skills picked up in Econ339.