In a dissertation titled " Corruption and Health Inequalities: The Effects of Corruption on Healthcare Disparity in Sub-Saharan Africa and the United States," use the problem space for your potential dissertation topic and the feasibility considerations identified below; explain the feasibility of your potential dissertation topic. What are some potential risks to the feasibility of your topic? How might you mitigate such risks? What other questions or concerns remain about the feasibility of your proposed study? Use the articles below for in-text citations.

Feasibility study

Feasibility: In designing a research study, particularly for novice researchers, determining the feasibility of a potential topic is a critical first step. Feasibility involves assessing various factors such as the scope of the research question, available resources, time constraints, ethical considerations, and participant recruitment and retention. Understanding these factors is essential for ensuring that the study can be successfully executed within practical limitations. Additionally, feasibility considerations differ between quantitative and qualitative studies, with each methodology presenting unique challenges in terms of scale, data collection, and analysis as briefly explained below.

1. Scope and Clarity of the Research Question

The research question must be well-defined and specific, ensuring it can be addressed within available resources and the study's timeframe. Overly broad or ambitious questions can render a study unmanageable. For instance, a question such as "What are the barriers to breastfeeding in first-time mothers?" is more feasible than investigating "What are all factors influencing breastfeeding worldwide?" According to Anderson and Widener, (2020), defining clear research questions aligns with best practices in research methodology and improves the likelihood of success. These factors may not be chronological but next the feasibility considerations which include the availability of resources, time constraints, ethical considerations, and participant recruitment has to be assured.

1. Feasibility Considerations: Availability of Resources, Time Constraints, Ethical Considerations, and Participant Recruitment

Feasibility relies on access to resources like financial support, facilities, equipment, and personnel, which must be sufficient to support the study. Pettigrew and Fulk, (2018) explain that the timeframe should align with the study's complexity, such as considering whether a longitudinal study requiring years is appropriate versus a cross-sectional one that can be completed in weeks. Also, Smith et al., (2021) found that ethical considerations are crucial, including obtaining IRB approval and addressing participant safety, informed consent, and confidentiality. Furthermore, according to Walker and Syed, (2019) also explained that participant recruitment and retention must be feasible, ensuring the researcher can access and retain the required number of participants throughout the study. Is also noteworthy to explain the differences in the feasibility for the type of studies be they qualitative or quantitative studies.

1. Differences in Feasibility for Quantitative vs. Qualitative Studies

Quantitative studies require larger sample sizes and extensive resources for recruitment, standardized instruments, and statistical analysis. According to Lopez & Ramos, (2022), feasibility in these studies often depends on whether the sample size is statistically significant for valid inferences. In contrast, qualitative studies typically need fewer participants but require more in-depth methods such as interviews and thematic analysis. As stated by Garcia and Wood (2020). qualitative research may face challenges related to gaining access to participants and ensuring trust, while quantitative research faces issues with scale and statistical power.

References:

Anderson, S., & Widener, L. (2020). Research methodology in social sciences: New approaches and considerations. Journal of Social Science Research, 12(3), 45-58. https://doi.org/10.1080/12345678.2020.1234567

Garcia, P., & Wood, M. (2020). Navigating challenges in qualitative research: Best practices for data collection and analysis. Qualitative Research in Health, 19(4), 123-139. https://doi.org/10.1080/98765432.2020.9876543

Lopez, R., & Ramos, T. (2022). Addressing feasibility in quantitative studies: Sample size and statistical significance. Journal of Quantitative Research, 17(2), 89-105. https://doi.org/10.1080/23456789.2022.2345678

Pettigrew, D., & Fulk, J. (2018). Time constraints and feasibility in longitudinal research: A practical guide. Journal of Time-Dependent Research, 15(1), 101-112. https://doi.org/10.1080/34567890.2018.3456789

Smith, L., Johnson, M., & Davis, A. (2021). Ethical considerations in health research: Navigating IRB approvals and patient confidentiality. Health Ethics Review, 10(3), 211-225. https://doi.org/10.1080/11223344.2021.1122334

Walker, K., & Syed, N. (2019). Participant recruitment and retention: A guide to success in clinical and social research. Research Management Today, 14(2), 45-58. https://doi.org/10.1080/56789012.2019.5678901