Dissertation help

[identitytalks]

I'm doing a 'politics, society and policy' course.

I'm in 3rd year and working on my dissertation.

My main topic is alcoholism. I wanted to let explore 'Did Covid 19 lockdown have a larger impact on alcoholics compared to general population of the UK.'

I'm so confused though. I'm obviously doing a qualitative research. I can't figure out what to include in my dissertation.

What do you mean by larger impact? You need to be more specific. If you can't get going on a topic it's because the question isn't clear.

@AdaFuckingShelby I don't know, that's my issue

Talk to your supervisor?

Could I do 'the experiences of COVID 19
On alcoholics'? Or do I need to
Compare it to something?

@KarmaViolet that doesn't start till
Next term, I'm trying to
Figure
It out now

Could you reach out to Alcoholics Anonymous for some information OP?

@bennibooboo I have my survey etc all ready.

One thing occurs to me is if Alcoholics Anonymous meetings took place, or not, as this will have had an impact. Or if people still attended. I think they were permitted under the rules for the November restrictions, not sure about the others.

The other is access to alcohol- shops were open but pubs were not.

I genuinely want to research 'the experience that COVID-19 lockdown has had on alcoholics' but I feel
That's too basic??

@CuthbertDibbleandGrubb I have researched the cunt out of all
That.

Same comment as Ada. You have a really broad and somewhat impossible to answer title (at least with your resources).

If your main topic is alcoholism, why not narrow it down to evaluate some specific impacts of the pandemic on alcoholics?

Good question and topic op. I actually think you might just want to think about which impacts of alcoholism you want to track. Impacts could be isolation, criminal activity, debt, relationship breakdown. Obviously the essay would then compare the impact of these factors in alcoholics pre pandemic and during the pandemic.

I want to know if this is something worth investigating

@CuthbertDibbleandGrubb yes they have...via zoom. And quite successful I may add.

@Giraffapuses I want to research isolation, so where would I go
From
There

I don't think you can prove that. You couldn't get a big enough demographic with a qualitative survey to see if it did as there are too many factors like employment, health, family make up, living conditions, finances etc. You need to narrow it down significantly. Maybe you could look at how covid-19 has affected alcoholics in regards to emotional well-being/health/alcohol use etc? Or the general populations relationship with alcohol as there are more people now seeking treatment for liver related diseases for the first time than before.

I'm not an academic, so take with a pinch of salt. But what leaps out at me is that you have the words "larger... compared to" in your title, but then say the research is qualitative rather than quantitative.

Surely you have to chose a horse there?

I'm answering in regards to your question not the latest comment

What about looking at the impact of covid restrictions on alcoholics in the UK?

You could look at the effects of pub closures, social isolation, working from home/furlough, AA only accessible online, lack of access to GPs/other services.

@identitytalks are you feeling OK?

I like sleepy head's idea.

@sleepyhead okay so am I being dense?
Should I compare it
To something?

It depends on what you mean by ‘impact’. Eg, did it increase feelings of isolation/anxiety/depression in alcoholics more than in the general population?

I wish I could explain what I mean. I am so frustrated and can't actually get the words I mean out.

@bumbleymummy that is EXACTLY what MeAn