RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Brooke Yeates-Trotman
December 22, 2016
Period 4B
Title: On the Rise: The Rise of People Affected by Seasonal Allergies
Introduction and Overview of Research:
In this study, main focus is on the rise in number of people affected by allergies. The
focus is on having high school students become aware of their habits to overuse sanitary tools.
This idea came from a theory called the hygiene hypothesis, stating that the use of sanitary tools
and the decreased exposure to infections and diseases are the cause in the increase of
autoimmune diseases. Also the issue of global warming could play a part in the rise of seasonal
allergies. The problem is to try and get the message out. Getting people to change their opinion
on bacteria and germs.
Background and Rationale:
For the past few generations, more and more people have been severely affected by
allergies. 30%- 35% of the worlds population is affected by allergies and about 15 million
Americans have food allergies alone. (2015) Not only do so many people have it, but the number
of people with allergies is raising. Also, from 1997 to 2007, the number of children between the
ages of 3 and 4 with allergies rose be 18%. (Stein 2009) This means that the anaphylaxis
reactions is also on the raise. An anaphylaxis reaction is a severe, potentially deadly reaction
usually found in peanut allergies. Some symptoms include skin rash, nausea, vomiting, difficulty
breathing, and shock. With all of these people having allergies one could not help but wonder,
why are so many people getting allergies? A number of theories came to mind, one being the
hygiene theory. The hygiene theory states that because of the improved sanitary conditions and
decreased exposure to infections and disease in childhood is causing the raise of autoimmune
diseases such as allergies. (Ben-Ami Shor 2013) Because of the new overly hygienic trends,
certain microorganisms that is beneficial to bodys immune system. Recent studies pinpointed
the effect of this hypothesis. Like the lack of certain microorganisms and bacteria which is
supposed stop cells that cause inflammation. This inflammation is what is known as allergies or
asthma. Different allergies can lead to different reactions, such as coughing, sneezing, stuffy
nose, rashes, and more depending on the type of allergen. For example, poison ivy usually causes
a rash and pollen allergies usually causes sneezing or a stuffy nose. Most of the peanut allergies
can end deadly, with swelling in the face and neck including swelling of the throat closing or
blocking of the airway. (Ben-Ami Shor 2013) With this range of reactions, it essential to figure
out a way to reduce the allergy rate.
It was found that in 1997, the number of people with allergies was 0.6%, then rose to
1.2% in 2002 and kept going in 2010 with the rate at 2.1%. (Gruchalla 2015) These are not big
numbers, but is it is not hard to tell the numbers are increasing a fast pace.brought up Also the
recollection of not as many people affected by allergies in past generations was. Because the of
the fast pace in numbers and the recollection of there not being as many people with allergies the
questions of why they were moving was introduced. This led to how can one slow the rate down
in the future

Research Methodology:
Research Question:
What is the main cause of seasonal allergies and how can one decrease the number of
people affected by seasonal allergies for future generations?
Hypothesis:
One can decrease the number of people affected by seasonal allergies in the upcoming
years by being aware of how clean they are and taking care of the environment.
By knowing that one can be too sanitary and it can take a toll on their bodies and the
future children, then maybe people will change their habits. Same goes for the environment: as if
there is not enough motivation for people to change their habits, people will now know that it is
not only affecting the things around us, but it is affecting our bodies and the future children.
Research Design Model:
This study will be a historical and survey because the goal is to know how has events and
decisions in the past affect the environment we live in today. Also surveys or interviews would
be necessary to see how clean they are in their daily lives and if that has an effect on their
immune system today. Things like how often do one uses hand sanitizer in a day or what is ones
opinion on bacteria and germs. Because opinions usually affect the decisions one make, the
general opinion towards bacteria and germs will be found. Mixed data will be collected based on
the findings.
Data Collection:
An online survey will be used to collected the survey part of the data and a series of selfselected interviews will be held to insure the opinion on germs is collected. On the survey it will
have an option to be interviewed the contact information to do so.
The survey results will be compared to the interview results and the number of people
with allergies in past years.
Product Objectives
At the end of the research the product will be a video explaining the importance of
understanding allergies and why it is plaguing our society. This is an appropriate method for
reaching the intended audience, high school students, because it grabs and keeps the attention
easier than any other method. However, any common person could benefit from the product
because people need to know the importance of the rise and autoimmune diseases and how it is
preventable. This would also be a likely target because it takes a movement of people to change
the way society lives. With that said, the first step to any movement is awareness and the goal is
for people to become aware of the habits they do not realize. The plan is to show the video to
multiple high school classes to insure the message is spread.

Logistical Considerations

To complete this task a camera, a movie making system, and some actors will be needed.
Permission from teachers at Mount Hebron High School will also be needed to show final
product to the intended audience. Also the permission of the Howard County Public School
System to show the video in the classrooms is required.
In third quarter, a timeline will be added that outlines the data collection, product development,
and audience distribution.
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Student Signature

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G/T Source Teacher Signature