Course:VANT149/2021/Capstone/Arts/Team16
Research Proposal Presentation Title: A Survey Study on the Causes of Famine in Kenya
(click headers to expand answers)
Student researchers:
| Zechu Ren |
| Wenji Li |
| Mingzhao Zhang |
What is your research question?
What are some factors that contribute to the famine in Kenya?
Research proposal keywords or concepts
Famine in Kenya,
Researcher-created qualitative study,
Causes of Famine
How would you summarize your proposed research idea?
In the context of globalization, solving the problem of global hunger has been an important topic for sustainable development. The famine problem in famine-severe areas needs to be solved. Our study aims to explore the actual causes of famine in Kenya since hunger is widespread in Kenya(Kim, et.al, 2012). By doing so, we can provide some perspectives and ideas for solving famine problems.
Where is the literature gap and how does your proposed research attempt to fill that gap?
The previous literature has highlighted that famine is caused by the complex interaction of political, social, economic and biophysical factors.(Ifejika S., et.al,2008). However, there is little evidence on field interviews in the causes of famine, and we also question the published reasons. To investigate the actual reason, this study will use qualitative research and conduct field investigations.
Why is this gap worthy of research?
An actual investigation in Kenya is essential because reasons of famine are complex, and there are causes missed by medias and other studies. Field interview is helpful to understand the real situation in Kenya. It is hoped that this study will contribute to convey the real need of local people.
This study could contribute to our understanding of reasons in Kenya’s famine and provide ideas for solving famine problems, and it also could help to achieve sustainable food distribution balance goals. In addition, the results of field interview could allow public learn the need of local people.
What made your group interested in and/or what excites you about your proposed topic?
We became interested in famine problem in Kenya after reading a news related to famine problems in Kenya. We first found it interesting that although south Africa areas have plenty of natural resources, people still suffer from famine.We wondered why it happens. We decided to choose this topic after we checked many reports and studies about Africa famine. The reports and studies didn't dive into local. There is few voices from local people, and news might be one-sided. Therefore, we decided to do field interview to find the true reasons.
References
| Ifejika Speranza, C., Kiteme, B., & Wiesmann, U. (2008). Droughts and famines: The underlying factors and the causal links among agro-pastoral households in semi-arid makueni district, kenya. Global Environmental Change, 18(1), 220-233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2007.05.001
Jeeyon Janet Kim & Debarati Guha-Sapir (2012) Famines in Africa: is early warning early enough? Global Health Action, 5:1, DOI: 10.3402/gha. v5i0.18481 |