Research method CLO - 3

Justification:

There are many reasons of choosing fast food industry for our research analysis. Firstly, the UAE is a good place for fast food industry business in the world where near about 37.6% people daily queue in line waiting for placing an order for meal. The fast food industry in the UAE generated 191 billion U.S. dollars in 2013. By 2018, this value was forecasted to cross 210 billion. Secondly, this state's population is very diverse, wealthy and well-travelled, creating plenty of demand for foodservice options that suit a countless of tastes as well as busy schedules. Another reason is fast food is a basic Emirati lifestyle, with consumers regularly eating out or visiting a café to gather with family and friends, or hold a business meeting with colleagues. Even during the economic downturn, the convenience, indulgence and social opportunities found in foodservice outweighed the cost savings of cooking at home. Euro monitor predicts that by the end of 2017, as affluence grows, most Emirati consumers will turn to foodservice options for more than half of their weekly meal occasions, with the lunch hour proving particularly profitable. These are the basic reasons of studying of this topic that with this increasing trend in fast food industry, what will be the effect on the health of the people. (Foodservice Profile - The United Arab Emirates, n.d.)

Background of the Study:

There are many studies conducted on the pros and cons of the fast food industry. But in spite of this, the Dubai fast food market was valued near about $8.5 billion in 2013. Between 2009 and 2013, the market documented a compound annual growth rate of 10.4% and is expected to continue expanding, although at a little slower rate, with a growth rate of 7.7% until 2018, to reach total sales of US$12.3 billion. According to Euro monitor, the highest five companies in the market are units franchising main international brands, with Kuwait Food Co. (Yum! Brands' Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Pizza Hut), Emirates Fast Food Co. (McDonald's), Subway Arabia, First Food Services (Burger King). There are many researches has been conducted on fast food industries. One of these research says that increasing trends in fast food industry is due to the larger number of menu list which attract not only young peoples but also every age of people. Another research says that fast food industries offers variety of foods offers like: combo offers, free delivery, complementary items on every purchase and many more which attracts more and more buyers towards these services. (A research on fast food items, n.d.) Another research days that people face many diseases in this world due to fast food industries because fast food items contains a dense of calories and when person use fast food items on regular basis then he/she face the diseases of diabetes, over weighting, blood pressure etc. Things like “chicken nuggets” are made from “unknown” food products and byproducts. Consumers are not really sure what the elements are in the foods but the fast food restaurants use awkward marketing terms to sell the food.

Data Collection:

Data Collection is the procedure of collecting and gaging information on targeted variables in a recognized methodical style, which then allows one to answer appropriate questions and evaluate outcomes. In this research, we have choose quantitative and qualitative data collection method. On the base of primary data collection, we have chosen questionnaire way to know about the trend of the fast food industry. Our sample size was 100 and we have choose randomly sampling which is conducted on different fast food industries in the UAE. Secondary data collection is basically collecting data from documents, records and reports of others. For this purpose, we have studies various research paper on fast food industries and discuss their findings, we have got help from the internet by knowing different points of view of the people by checking their comments on the fast food industries.

Results:

We can see the result of our findings with the help of the chart given below:

                                                

Findings:

At the end, we can say that many people response that Fast food industry is very valuable for them. And their rates of food items are normal which not effect in their purchasing power. Between 2009 and 2013, the market recorded a compound annual growth rate of 10.4% and is expected to continue growing, although at a somewhat slower rate, with 7.7% until 2018, to reach total sales of US $12.3 billion. According to Euro monitor, the top five players in the market are entities franchising major international brands, including Kuwait Food Co. (Yum! Brands' Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Pizza Hut), Emirates Fast Food Co. (McDonald's), Subway Arabia, First Food Services (Burger King), and M H Alshaya (Starbucks, PF Chang's China Bistro, and The Cheesecake Factory). According to our survey, 59% people says that they like fast food items and remaining said that fast food items has effected on their health. 73 % people said that if fast food item has negative effect then they will leave eating fast food items and remaining peoples were oppose of this result. 56 % peoples said that fast food items fulfill our calories requirements and remaining peoples said that they don’t care whether they fulfill their calories requirement or not. They just eat for enjoying.

Bibliography

A research on fast food items. (n.d.). Retrieved from ACADEMIA: http://www.academia.edu/5374201/A_RESEARCH_ON_FAST_FOOD_ARE_WE_TAKING_IT_TOO_FAR_BY_BLAMING_FAST_FOOD_RESTAURANTS_FOR_OBESITY_WHEN_IS_IT_INDIVIDUAL_RESPONSIBILITY_AND_WHEN_IS_IT_APPROPRIATE_TO_PLACE_BLAME_BY_KAZEEM_ABDULLATEEF_OLASUPO

Foodservice Profile - The United Arab Emirates. (n.d.). Retrieved from Government of Canada: http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/industry-markets-and-trade/statistics-and-market-information/by-region/middle-east-and-north-africa/foodservice-profile-the-united-arab-emirates/?id=1432740194697

UAE Fast food. (n.d.). Retrieved from Food Politics: how the food industry influences nutrition and health( Vol. 3 ): California Press. Data Retrieved From: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=39oVBbtt6IEC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=health+risk+for+fast+food&ots=2X1JkaZIQB&sig=IqEjEJlinmF8pzct9A146Y0HMpw#v=onepage&q=health%20risk%20for%20fast%20food&f=false

Questionair Research

Following are the primary research questions that will be used to conduct research report: 

·                     Question 1: Does fast food have any impact on the human body? 

a.      Yes 

b.      No 

·                     Question 2: If fast food has adverse or negative effects, will you consume fast foods?  

a.      Yes

b.      No 

·                     Question 3: Do you think fast food is more expensive than other cuisines? 

a.      Yes 

b.      No 

·                     Question 4: Do you face any health risk due to consumption of fast food in the daily life? 

b.      Yes 

a.      No

·                     Question 5: Did fast food harm you in the past? 

c.      Yes

d.       No 

·                     Question 6: Do you consider fast food is the healthy food to eat? Does it meet your daily calory requirements? 

a.      Yes 

b.      No 

·                     Question 7: Is price, quality, advertisement, taste, menu or time the most important factor behind the selection of Fast Food? 

a.      Yes

b.      No 

·                     Question 8: Does nutritional information influence your choice regarding selection of fast food? 

a.      Yes 

b.      No 

·                     Question 9: Are you aware of a health disease (i.e. obesity, dyslipidemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, sleep apnoea, arthritis, blount disease, liver damage and stroke) that is caused from the consumption of fast food? 

a.      Yes 

b.      No 

·                     Question 10: Due to health fears, would you stop consuming fast food regularly or weekly or annually? 

a.      Yes 

b.      No 

I made a lot of efforts to collect these numbers. I asked many students/relatives ten questions and collected answers and made them into a pie. In the end it appears that a few people are aware of the harmful diseases that comes from consuming fast food on a daily basis. Most of the people consumes fast food weekly, and few of them daily, it depends in their work and life style.

LO-1 Fast Food Research

Research Method - Fast Food

Name: Abdulla Awad Aida Hejail

Student ID: H00280536  

Abu Dhabi higher college of technology

Research Method - Fast Food

Mind Map

Introduction

            The focus of this research report is on health and on social and environmental aspects of fast food that is consumed on a daily basis. To examine these aspects, I will initially look at challenges behind the consumption of fast food. Afterwards, I will identify the reasons (price, quality, advertisement, taste, menu or time) behind the daily consumption of fast food. Through effective use of these aspects, I will easily analyze the health risks and threats that occur after the consumption of fast food. I believe that this topic will be beneficial for such people that consume fast food on the daily or weekly routine. Finally this report will cover proposals and a primary questionnaire that is based on the research topic.

Background

1.      Health Risk of Fast Food

Fast food is richer in calories than other food cuisine; therefore, usage of fast food must be low. Furthermore, if fast food is excessively consumed then it might lead to health risks such as mental disorder, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, sleep apnoea, arthritis, liver damage and stroke, etc.

Over here, it is important to examine that if a person consumes sweetened beverages then the person might face health risks with respect to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Instead of such health risks, still large numbers of people are eating fast food (Odegaard et. al, 2012). Around 59.36% of people eat fast food once in a week or month. Among these 59.36% of people, 26.98% are facing health risks especially obesity and diabetes (Nestle, 2013).

2.      Regular Use of Fast Food & Overweight

Regular use of fast food increases the weight of people especially among children and teenagers. Furthermore, it augments the diabetes 2, cardiovascular risk, obesity, and illness. However, I argue that overeating increases weight which in turn enhances health risk. Thus, individual consumers should reduce the overeating activities rather than reducing the consumption of fast food. In today’s era, people are involved in multiple activities, and therefore, they require enough food to eat. As the result of which, they overeat; and face health challenges. Individuals can eat dietary food with an intention to reduce the threat of health risk (Sanchez-Villegas et. al, 2012).

           

3.      Behavior & Attitude of Children

Ritz et. al (2012) conducted a research among adolescents with respect to weight related behavior and attitude. According to the research, parents are the main source behind creating the environment of fast food consumption. In short, parents do not promote the development of healthy eating behavior which in turn negatively impacts the weight and health of teenagers. Furthermore, it can be added that the UAE is one of the largest countries where young generation consume fast food regularly compared to healthy food which has caused severe disorders in them. Over here, it is important to examine that almost 71.97% of the population in UAE consumes fast food; most of them are teenagers that come under the age bracket of 15 to 20 years.

4.      Benefits of Fast Food

I believe that large numbers of people are consuming fast food in order to reduce wastage of time, as it is easily cook by the individual. Therefore, most of the people in UAE eat fast food instead of nutritious and healthy food. Over here, it is important to observe that almost 69.87% of the women in UAE are employee therefore, they do not have enough time to cook healthy food. Hence, they prefer to buy or order fast food from restaurants. In short, fast food assists working women in the busy life style where women have to spend enough time to meet the requirement of their jobs and tasks. I further observe that people in UAE are also consuming fast food in order to show their life style to friends, colleagues, family members, lovers, and so on.

Hence, fast food becomes the main aspect behind the showoff of lifestyle among others. In the social circle, whenever people meet with friends, they select fast food restaurants and either order burgers, or other cuisine. Prior to order, people also look at purchase price of the cuisine with an intention to showoff among friends. However, most of the UAE people select fast food due to easy cooking benefits (Basu et. al, 2014).

Proposal

            The thesis statement for this research report is to identify the benefits and health risks behind the consumption of fast food. In the research, I observe that around 71.97% of the people in the UAE consumes fast food; among which most are teenagers that come under the age bracket of 15 to 20 years. The basic reason behind high consumption of fast food is the parent’s motivation, as they promote fast food in order to reduce the wastage of time. However, they must promote healthy food in the lifestyle of children. I further observe that most of the people in the UAE are facing health challenges i.e. obesity, dyslipidemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, sleep apnoea, arthritis, blount disease, liver damage and stroke due to the consumption of fast food.

In order to examine the risks and benefits of fast food, behavior of the consumer, and the factor behind the consumption of fast food; I will conduct primary qualitative research. Primary qualitative data is in a raw form and available in the genuine structure. Interview, questionnaire, and case study are part of the qualitative method. On the other hand, quantitative data can be easily controlled and available in numbers. Online websites and company research reports are some of the common examples of quantitative method. The dependent variable of this research report is the health risk of the human being, while, independent variable is consumption of fast food. For conducting research, a questionnaire will be used to observe the benefits and risks behind the consumption of fast food. Furthermore, 50 respondents will be selected in order to fill the stated primary questionnaire. These respondents will be randomly selected; and thus, no respondents will be forced to take part in filling the questionnaire.

References

Basu, A., Shay, C. M., Colangelo, L., Jacobs, D. R., & Van Horn, L. (2014). Abstract P177: Higher Frequency of Fast Food Consumption is Associated with Lower Likelihood of Meeting Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Findings from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Circulation, 129(Suppl 1), 1-11. Data Retrieved From: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/129/Suppl_1/AP177.short

Nestle, M. (2013). Food politics: How the food industry influences nutrition and health (Vol. 3). Univ of California Press. Data Retrieved From: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=39oVBbtt6IEC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=health+risk+for+fast+food&ots=2X1JkaZIQB&sig=IqEjEJlinmF8pzct9A146Y0HMpw#v=onepage&q=health%20risk%20for%20fast%20food&f=false

Odegaard, A. O., Koh, W. P., Yuan, J. M., Gross, M. D., & Pereira, M. A. (2012). Western-style fast food intake and cardio-metabolic risk in an eastern country. Circulation, CIRCULATIONAHA-111. Data Retrieved From: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/early/2012/05/31/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.084004.full.pdf

Ritz, E., Hahn, K., Ketteler, M., Kuhlmann, M. K., & Mann, J. (2012). Phosphate additives in food—a health risk. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 109(4), 49. Data Retrieved From: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3278747/

Sanchez-Villegas, A., Toledo, E., de Irala, J., Ruiz-Canela, M., Pla-Vidal, J., & Martínez-González, M. A. (2012). Fast-food and commercial baked goods consumption and the risk of depression. Public health nutrition, 15(03), 424-432. Data Retrieved From: http://www.neurosafari.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/S1368980011001856a.pdf

Questionnaire.

I questioned other students in my LSS 2533 (research methods) class about their experience with questionnaires and other types of research. I found that most of the questions were answered by yes. It shows that they experienced all of the situations that i asked them about. Due to being in the college, they experienced every research project or questionnaire i had in mind. Which means they got quiete a wide knowledge about research and questionnaire related to things in general.

Introduction

Introduction

This course, LSS 2533, is about research methods. There are 5 Course Learning Outcomes.

The first thing we are going to do is a simple exercise on questionnaires. Then we are going, each of us, to choose a topic that interests us & we are going to construct a mind map.