Article Review
Introduction
This paper presents a critical analysis of the research article entitled “A Qualitative Study of Irish Teachers’ Perspective of Student Substance Abuse.” It provides a brief description and discussion on the summary, justification, methods, outcomes, and strengths and limitations of the qualitative study conducted.
Summary
The article focuses on to the extent to which drug education is being implemented in Irish schools. It found out that not every school is receiving drug education hence the teachers advance the necessity for information and teacher-specific training. The teachers believed that this is a requisite in determining signs that students have problems of substance abuse. Hence, there are two things that the researchers are trying to achieve: first is public awareness of the substance use, misuse and abuse among students and its consequences and second is building competence on the basis of awareness of the needs and challenges teachers faced when dealing with substance use within the classroom.
Literature
It makes use of informations from European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction and Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, presenting evidences. While there are critical sources that makes the study more credible such as that of Elliot (2005), Fisher and Harrison (2000), Hansen and Graham (1991), there is at least three that are insignificant. Two among these resources are founded on Australian setting while another is in American. Although this may provide meaningful insights, the researchers did not connect the importance of such setting to Irish context. This means that the literature is not very selective at all. The researchers made use of core literatures dated from 1991 to 2007 which is commendable because of the fusion of old and new perceptions about substance use in schools. One could understand that the researchers synthesize literatures in effective manner.
Justification on why the research was conducted
The researchers are basically motivated by the desire to understand the challenges of substance use in the classroom from the perspective of the teachers. Perhaps, this will explain the gap between drug prevalence in Irish schools and the initiatives of local academic institutions especially if those who witness actual accounts or experiences will put forward their own views and opinions. Another motivation of the research is on how substance use impacts the classroom particularly in academic performance of the users. How the teachers could likely to contribute in mitigating the phenomenon is another motivation of the study especially that it mentions about the school drug and alcohol policy. However, it is of my best belief that studying why drug education implementation was incoherent in Irish schools should be studied as well. This is important in ensuring effective implementation is achieved. Further, what makes an effective drug education program in Irish academic context and what local academic institutions should do in responding to the problem of substance misuse in schools should be also studied so that independence on government initiatives must be lessened.
Methods
The researchers conducted interview of teachers in 10 schools chosen randomly in Country Carlow, South East Ireland. Interviews were coded and tool place in open plan areas in the presence of an independent colleague. In this regard, data collection methods are inconspicuous not only because the study was conducted in closed settings but also because interviews were conducted within the proximity of the setting. As the study focuses on secondary level educational setting, types of schools included are vocational, secondary in disadvantaged area, secondary in non- disadvantaged area, youth training centre, private school and youth group, and both mixed/single sex schools. Teachers from all grades are sampled and asked about 11 questions. The questions covers issues on experience of substance abuse within the school setting, knowledge and recognition of substance use in students, awareness of school drug and alcohol policy, attitude toward substance misuse and drug education, awareness of drug availability in the area and knowledge of drug related services in their area. Interview schedule was piloted and informed consent was obtained. Thematic analysis was employed. This provides the research a more in-depth understanding of substance misuse in schools although it tends to be data supportive.
Outcomes
The study proved that teachers perceive that drug education was not consistently implemented and that students did not obtain appropriate materials. Although this may not directly linked with the prevalence of substance use among Irish secondary students, teachers’ incompetence also proved that it hinders effective drug education in the school context. Nevertheless, some of the warning signs of substance abuse are identified by the teachers as behavioral problems, student withdrawal, truancy, reduced ability to concentrate, parental concern and absenteeism. Alcohol, cannabis and amphetamine are the three most prevalent substances among the students.
Strengths and Limitations
The strengths of the research project include the presence of real experience and direct approach that leads to time and cost efficiency, and its uncomplicated means of data gathering and analysis. It is noted that the research is able to tap on one of the most important initiatives that must be implemented and targeted on schools and students which is drug prevention. Significant informations are presented which may be of good use for local policymakers. On the other hand, the limitation of the research is the fact that it basically relies on views, perceptions and opinions of the teachers and this may not be generalisable because the basis of the results is the extent of disclosure of participants or what is known as participant bias. Various types of schools are also used hence the prevalence of substance use in each particular type could not be determined.
Conclusion
All in all, the research is very relevant in terms of its contribution to the existing literatures focused on the subject. It is commendable that the perceptions of the teachers who could have actual interactions with users are taken into account. While there are still some arguments that might be brought out, it is still apt to consider that this research served its real purpose.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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