Gambling prevalence within different social classes 8
Gambling prevalence within different social classes in the UK
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Introduction
This study purposes of investigating the gambling trends in the UK among the different social classes. As a methodology prelude, the research will undertake a quantitative analysis using a questionnaire that will target the various members within the ranks of the society as far as the social classification is concerned. Additionally, the study will partake peer reviews of related literature to help establish the economic, demographic, social and ethnic impacts on gambling prevalence. The study will determine that social and economic status, access to technology, government regulations and level of education are the most significant impacts on the incidence of gambling in the UK
Background
According to Griffiths and Parke (2002), the gradual slackening of the previously strict regulations against gambling, the proliferation of electronic gambling equipment coupled by the rise of mega gambling casinos has led to the rapid and exponential growth of the gambling industry in the United Kingdom. For instance, data by Statista (2019), reveal that an average of 33% of the UK population gambles at least once a week. The average number of gaming machine in the UK in 2018 totalled to 181,309 while the number of casino visits annually in Great Britain averaged at 19.72 million.
The gambling industry in the UK experiences a considerable increase in the number of casino visits. The statistic also shows that about 100,000 to 125,100 jobs are directly created by the gambling industry and the income from gambling is considered as a significant revenue source. Regarding the gambling demographics, statistic shows a relatively elderly population of between 45 to 64 as active gamblers (Statista, 2019). Laptops, desktops and mobile phones are widely used as gambling devices. It’s also important to note that the number of underage gamblers has tremendously reduced over the past years with a high proportion of the UK population with a feeling that gambling is a regular activity with no attachment to moral issues. This paper explores the different social classes gambling habits using income, area deprivation index and family variables. The findings show the frequency and the extent of gambling within the various social levels.
Aims and objectives
The primary objective of the study is to assess the current state and prevalence of gambling in the UK and how the social classification of the UK population impacts in this state. The study will cover the following issues
To determine the impact age on gambling in the UK.
To establish the relationship between gambling and economic status.
To assess the effect of technology on gambling
To determine whether or not the level of education affects gambling.
To establish the relationship between government regulation and gambling in the UK.
Method
Introduction
This section covers strategy and design, the population of the study, the sample selected and sampling techniques, data collection approach, type of data analysis, and the ethical consideration.
Research strategy and design
The study will adopt quantitative analysis to be used in conjunction with the secondary data obtained from the reviewed literature to help in establishing the current state and prevalence of gambling in the UK and how the social classification of the UK population impacts in this state. The study will also incorporate a conceptual framework that will help in modelling of the study variables. These will be vital for coming up with a conclusion and recommendations given the current state of gambling in the United Kingdom.
Study population
The research is a pilot study will include 40 adults of UK origin from the following professions and specialities as the population; Casino attendants, Employed, self-employed adults, casual labourers and unemployed. Casino attendants will be persons of interest because they are better placed to meet gamblers, the study, therefore, will benefit from crucial statistical information they possess. The employment status of the participants will give information on the relationships between level of income and gambling prevalence. Accordingly, the study considered the following employment status; employed, self-employed, casual labourers and un employed. Each subcategory of the population will include 8 participants to achieve an equal number of participants per subgroup.
Sample and Sampling technique
Given the relatively small population size of 40 participants of the pilot study, the researcher was able to reach all the 40 respondents and therefore adopted census ruling out the use of the specific sampling design and sampling technique. The population census is a unique technique that can offer an examination of an individual as well as small population groups. It is also crucial in gathering information within small geographical units making it the most suitable for the study research.
According to Cochran (2007), the census is also considered to provide impartial, representative, accurate and reliable results compared to other sampling techniques due to the absence of sampling errors and the ability to facilitate the collection of unbiased data that representants all respondents’ opinions. Census is therefore critical in the generalisation of research findings (Marshal 1996). According to Etikan, Musa & Alkassim (2016), a census is a unique tool because of the ability to simplify the collection of more detailed information about the research study.
Data collection procedure
Data collection procedure are the processes used in the gathering of study data. Their researcher collected both primary and secondary data. Primary data are the actual raw data obtained for the research study. For the collection of data to materialise, the study will employ the use of a survey as the primary collection instrument. The survey will include both open and closed-ended questions. The ordinal scale was used for the quantitative aspects of the study problems. The Questionnaire was selected for use because it is a useful data collection instruments that allow respondents to give much of their opinions (Black 1991). Questionnaire as a tool is also considered free from bias. Therefore, the data can be regarded as valid. The semi-structured questionnaires will be self-administered and later collected from all the 40 target respondents for analysis. The secondary data was obtained from the reviewed literature. These will include both the theoretical and empirical sources that detail the procurement processes.
Study Reliability and Validity
According to Vennom and Mior (1991), it is not enough for data to be only reliable, but it is also essential to consider its accuracy. A valid result is regarded as reliable. Validity is a measure of the extent to which a tool measure. The validity of the tool of data collection was ascertained by the involvement of the research experts of the university. Their valued input was critical in the validation of the instruments for study. The study data will be compared with the objectives of the research study. And the researcher expects that the research variables will offer an indication that the tool for the research is validly drawn from the relevance of content and data representativeness.
Reliable data results in stable, consistent and dependable results. (Cooper & Schindler 2003). In the event of another repetition of any measurement, the same result is expected (Mugenda & Mugenda 2008). The study will employ the use of Cronbach’s alpha to measure the reliability of the data collection instruments and the internal consistency of the tools. According to Zinbarg (2005), Cronbach’s alpha is a reliability coefficient offering a detached assessment of data generalizability. A reliable data set is obtained when the alpha coefficient is relatively high preciously 0.75 or higher. The result suggests a high internal consistency and can be generalised to reflect the opinions of all respondents in the target population. The aspect makes the technique very key for the research study. It is the researchers hope that all the data collected was reliable and with an alpha coefficient of above 0.75 and this will ensure the results are valid and therefore be retained for the preliminary analysis.
Data analysis and presentation
The quantitative data was gathered using the closed and open-ended questionnaire. The use of descriptive statistics technique will analyse the quantitative data. The method will entail the scoring of data by the calculations of percentages, standard deviation and variance. The tool of interest for this analysis was SPSS. The SPSS computer software gives the researcher the power to ensure data validity and reliability due to its clear set of procedures and robust capabilities in showing the relationships between research variables. The SPSS will also be used for the generation of frequency tables. Another technique for use is the inferential statistics; the method will involve the application of both correlation and regression analysis. To establish the relationship between the independent and dependent variables showing the statistical significance of the links.
Ethical consideration
Ethical considerations will be made when conducting the research to ensure the study was morally acceptable. In collecting the secondary data, the researcher used resources that will be published for the public use and was sure to cite and reference to avoid plagiarism, which is academic malpractice. The researcher did not require prior permission to use the secondary sources, as they will be free for public use. In collecting the primary data, the participants voluntarily completed the questionnaires without coercion. The procurement officials provided the information with informed consent. Also, participant dignity was upheld protecting their privacy. The participants will be informed of the purpose of the research, and the information they gave was only used for that purpose and data not shared with any third parties. The recommendations given after the study will be to help entities to reform the UK gambling industry for the better.
Conclusion
The primary aim of the study is to assess the current state and prevalence of gambling in the UK and how the social classification of the UK population impacts in this state. Accordingly, the study will adopt quantitative analysis as a source of primary data coupled with literature review as a source of secondary data. The study will ensure ethical consideration in addition to the use of descriptive statistics technique for data analyses of the quantitative data.
Bibliography
Black, T.R., 1999. Doing quantitative research in the social sciences: An integrated approach to research design, measurement and statistics. Sage.
Cochran, W.G., 2007. Sampling techniques. John Wiley & Sons.
Cooper Donald, R. and Schindler Pamela, S., 2003. Business research methods. New York, 10020.
Etikan, I., Musa, S.A. and Alkassim, R.S., 2016. Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American journal of theoretical and applied statistics, 5(1), pp.1-4.
Griffiths, M.D. and Parke, J., 2002. The social impact of internet gambling. Social Science Computer Review, 20(3), pp.312-320.
Marshall, M.N., 1996. Sampling for qualitative research. Family practice, 13(6), pp.522-526.
Statista., 2019. Gambling industry in the United Kingdom (UK) – Statistics & Facts. retreaved from: https://www.statista.com/topics/3400/gambling-industry-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
Vernon, H. and Mior, S., 1991. The Neck Disability Index: a study of reliability and validity. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics.
Zinbarg, R.E., 2005. Cronbach’s α, Revelle’s β, and McDonald’s ωh: Their relationship with each other and two alternative conceptualisations of reliability. Psychometrika, 70(1), pp.123-33.