obese

APA FORMATE

Running head: SHORT TITLE VERSION
1

TITLE OF YOUR PAPER FOR A PAGE HEADER
6

Capstone Proposal Paper

Your Name

School name

Instructor name

Abstract

The research for this article was conducted in 9-12 graders Mississippi public schools in the spring of 2003. The students took a Youth Risk Behavior Survey which was designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that contained 87 questions. The student’s academic scores were also obtained from the self reported survey. It was found that about 63% of students reported high grades (mostly As and Bs). In addition, it was found that about 37% reported low grades (Cs, Ds, and Fs). “Low grades were significantly more prevalent among frequent smokers compared to all other students and among current marijuana users compared to nonusers” (Cox, Zhang, Johnson, & Bender, 2007, p.112). Therefore, from the findings, different approaches need to be implemented that focus on improving “academic success and reduce behaviors that contribute to poor health in adulthood” (Cox et al., p. 109).

Keywords: adolescents; frequent smoking; binge drinking; marijuana use; survey

Introduction

This research article investigates the relationship between substance use among public high school students and their academic performance. This article is important because if students are using drugs, then their academic success will not be as great as if they were not using drugs. Schools need to know the relationship so that they can put that much more work into preventing teens from using drugs.

Public Health Problem

The most important conclusion made with this research article is that low academic performance was found more prevalent among “males, blacks, frequent smokers, binge drinkers, and marijuana users” (Cox et al., 2007, p.114). This shows that low academic performance is found more often in students who participate in substance use and abuse.

Literature Review

This research article suggests some great conclusions about low academics and substance abuse. The conclusions may illustrate to schools that drug prevention needs to be integrated as much as possible before drug abuse takes over. Once students become addicted to drugs, it is much harder to get them back on the right academic path. If a school already has students that are using drugs, a program needs to begin in order to assist these teenagers. The overall goal in school is for students to learn as much as possible in a safe environment. Extra efforts need to be made in order to help these struggling students to get them back on the path for academic success.

Data to be Analyzed

This research article identifies a correlation between substance use and student success; however, if the study would have been performed with more states and not just Mississippi, the results would have offered additional validity and accuracy. It was done in 45 schools so the range is large. If the student’s time frame from the survey was longer, it might have been more accurate. The survey asked for the students to answer the questions if any of it had been done within the past 12 months. However, some student have had low grades their entire life, and just started using drugs so it shows that there is a correlation between drug use and low grades.

Data Analysis Methods

The research in this article, suggests that there is a problem with grades and substance abuse, however another study will need to be conducted regarding the process the school goes through to try and decrease the drug use. In addition, if the study was not conducted in the school setting perhaps the students may have responded more truthful. Students always have the feeling that answers they reveal may come back to haunt them so if the survey was done in an after school hang out or a youth center, the results could have resulted with increased reliability and accuracy.

Methodology and Approach

The research in this article, suggests that there is a problem with grades and substance abuse, however another study will need to be conducted regarding the process the school goes through to try and decrease the drug use. In addition, if the study was not conducted in the school setting perhaps the students may have responded more truthful. Students always have the feeling that answers they reveal may come back to haunt them so if the survey was done in an after school hang out or a youth center, the results could have resulted with increased reliability and accuracy.

Expected Outcomes

The research in this article, suggests that there is a problem with grades and substance abuse, however another study will need to be conducted regarding the process the school goes through to try and decrease the drug use. In addition, if the study was not conducted in the school setting perhaps the students may have responded more truthful. Students always have the feeling that answers they reveal may come back to haunt them so if the survey was done in an after school hang out or a youth center, the results could have resulted with increased reliability and accuracy.

Conclusion

The research in this article, suggests that there is a problem with grades and substance abuse, however another study will need to be conducted regarding the process the school goes through to try and decrease the drug use. In addition, if the study was not conducted in the school setting perhaps the students may have responded more truthful. Students always have the feeling that answers they reveal may come back to haunt them so if the survey was done in an after school hang out or a youth center, the results could have resulted with increased reliability and accuracy.

References

Cox, R.G., Zhang, L., Johnson, W. D., Bender, D. R., (2007). Academic performance and substance use: Findings from a state survey of public high school students. Journal of School Health, 77(3), 109-115.