Introduction
Scientific research processes have very complicated procedures that are aimed at ensuring the researcher and audience understand what is covered in various projects (Rutledge 2011). Therefore, there is the need to ensure that accurate and reliable procedures are used to collect, record, analyze and present information that is relevant in a project. In most cases, it is very easy to interpret data that has been accurately collected, recorded and analyzed; however, this is not usually the case and this leads to confusion (Victor 2011). This research paper explores various ways of analyzing and presenting data to ensure a project fulfills its purpose.
Description of the Case Study
This research paper will examine the impacts of taking drivers education courses and how this training improves their skills and knowledge about road safety. There has been an increase in road accidents and this has forced many nations to establish laws that require drivers to retake their tests. Those that do not pass these tests are not allowed to drive and their licenses withdrawn. However, there have been arguments that driver’s education and tests are not sufficient to promote safety on the roads. Therefore, this paper is set to establish whether there is the need to ensure all drivers pass their tests or not as a measure of improving road safety. This case study will use data obtained from the ministry of roads and the department of traffic police to explain how drivers’ education impacts on road safety. The data is collected from various stakeholders including traffic police, registrar of deaths, civil engineers, pedestrians and drivers because these parties are important in offering information about road safety.
Research Hypothesis
Most people assume that road accidents are caused by careless or drunken drivers but this is usually not the case because road safety is a preserve of everybody. It is very easy to assume that motorists are to blame for most road accidents but this belief ignores the roles of other road users in preventing traffic accidents. Therefore, it is wise to examine the root causes of road accidents before blaming anybody for causing them. This research paper presents that motorists that take driving courses are better than those who ignore this requirement. Therefore, all motorists must attend driving schools and ensure they put into practice what they learn. This will be an effective way of preventing road accidents and promoting sanity among motorists (Ham 2011).
Research Variables
Research variables are aspects that are used to determine the direction of a project by presenting their effects on the outcome of the findings. This research paper explores the need to have motorists attend driving schools to boost their knowledge about road usage and safety (Victor 2011). The following three variables are important in explaining the importance of attending driving schools as a measure of promoting responsible driving and reducing road accidents.
First, it is necessary to explain that driving schools offer training on how to become good motorists. They offer basic and technical training that educates learners about the need to know how to drive well and manage simple technical problems associated with motor vehicle (Ham 2011). Therefore, they offer general knowledge about driving and enable learners to understand basic issues about motor vehicles. Table 1A shows the data collected from 100 motorists after conducting a research to establish their knowledge about the functions of various parts of a motor vehicle.
The table shows that motorists that had attended driving schools understood the functions of various parts of a car engine. On the other hand, those that did not attend this training did not know how the engines of most vehicles operate. This means that the former had knowledge about controlling their vehicles if something happens when they are driving. Therefore, this became an important issue that emphasized the need for all motorists to attend driving schools (Ham 2011). This explains why most uneducated drivers were most likely to be involved in car accidents compared to those that had attended some form of training.
The second variable is awareness about road signs and how they should be used by all road users. The data obtained and presented in Figure 1B shows shocking results about the level of illiteracy among non educated motorists. It is necessary to explain that even though road signs are very important in promoting road safety most motorists do not understand them or their meaning (Victor 2011). The data was obtained from 100 motorists operating in a busy town. Road signs have been used for decades to ensure there is order and safety and that all road users enjoy their rights. However, it is very shocking to discover that most uneducated motorists do not understand some road signs and how to use them.
This graph shows that driving schools offer training on road signs and this helps motorists to maintain order and use roads without inconveniencing other road users. It is evident that most motorists that did not attend driving schools were at risks of causing road accidents because they do not understand some road signs. It is necessary to explain that road signs are helpful in directing motorists to know about the conditions of various roads, the rights of other users and how to drive when in different locations. The arrow marked ‘A’ shows the level of comprehension of different road signs by motorists that attend driving schools. The one marked ‘B’ shows the ability of motorists to use road signs according to how they have been taught in driving schools (Rutledge 2011). Therefore, it is easy to predict that an educated motorist stands high chances of driving safely compared to one that did not attend a driving school.
The last variable in this research is the right of other road users and how a motorist can exercise caution and avoid becoming a victim of their mistakes. It is necessary to explain that road safety starts with the realization that all other road users are careless. Therefore, it is the responsibility of a motorist to ensure that the mistakes of careless drivers and pedestrians do not interfere with him (Ham 2011). The data presented in Table 1C shows how important it is to understand that other road users may also contribute to road accidents. Most people assume that accidents are caused by careless drivers but this is not the case because sometimes it is impossible to predict what other people will do. This means that motorists must always be careful and avoid doing things that may put them at risk because of the mistakes of pedestrians or motorists. Therefore, it is necessary to explain that driving schools are important in educating motorists how to avoid becoming victims of careless driving.
Descriptive Data Analysis: Measures of Central Tendencies and Dispersion
Table 1A shows that an average of 78 educated motorists cannot be stranded due to simple mechanical faults. This means that almost 80% of them could identify whether a vehicle is road worthy or not. The second set of data shows that an average of 44 uneducated motorists did not understand various issues about vehicles. This means that almost 50% of them could not figure out what to do if their vehicles broke down. Table 1B shows the median mark of this data to be 79 and this means that most educated drivers are likely to be responsible motorists. On the other hand, the median mark for uneducated drivers is 45 and this means that almost 50% of them do not understand motor vehicles and how their engines operate. Lastly, Figure 2A shows the modal range of the data collected and indicates that educated drivers are better placed in understanding various issues about driving and car safety.
ANOVA Analysis
The data presented in the table and graphs below represent the actual findings of what happens before and after attending driving schools. It is necessary to explain that there is a very close relationship between drivers’ education and observation of road safety measures (Victor 2011). Table 1A shows that most motorists that attended driving schools had adequate knowledge about vehicles. This explains why most educated drivers hardly cause accidents or inconvenience other drivers. However, it is necessary to explain that road safety is the preserve of all users and not motorists alone. This means that even if a motorist is educated and observes all road signs this is not a guarantee that he will not be involved in a road accident.
An analysis conducted on the importance of drivers’ awareness about motor vehicles shows that most accidents are caused by simple mechanical errors like faulty brake lights, indicators and brakes. These aspects require minor mechanical services to correct them and this is offered in most driving schools. The data shows that more than 50 % of uneducated drivers do not understand the functions of most parts in a motor vehicle. This is a sad discovery that shows the risks that face uneducated drivers and other road users (Rutledge 2011). On the other hand, more than 70% of educated drivers know how to manage simple mechanical breakdowns that motorists experience. Figure 1B shows the data collected about awareness of road signs in different locations. It is necessary to explain that all road signs are supposed to guide motorists and pedestrians to ensure they do not inconvenience others. In addition, the department in charge of road safety ensures it erects road signs at places where they are needed; therefore, they are not meant for aesthetic purposes (Victor 2011). The presence of a road sign shows that road users must be careful when approaching some sections of the road. For instance, a road sign showing that there is a sharp bend ahead warns motorists that they should not over speed because they may have difficulties controlling their vehicles (Puttergill 2011). Therefore, a motorist who fails to observe this warning may easily cause an accident and inconvenience others.
This figure shows that educated drivers cannot cause accidents as a result of failing to follow the directions shown by road signs. Motorists that are not well educated about road signs can easily cause accidents because they do not understand various issues in a particular road. It is necessary to explain that roads differ depending with the topography of a region, its location and the nature of other road users. A road that is located in a busy urban center will have many signs because there are many users and other issues that must be observed to ensure there is order (Puttergill 2011). On the other hand, roads in rural areas usually have very few signs because they are less busy compared with those located in towns. It is necessary to explain that when people attend driving schools they are taught all road signs that exist within and outside their surroundings.
Justifications for using One-Way ANOVA Analysis
One-Way ANOVA analysis is an effective way of interpreting data that compares two groups of subjects under study (Worrall 2011). This research paper examines the importance of attending driving schools by motorists and thus it is necessary to use a statistical method that will show the similarities and differences without complicating the objectives of this project (Rutledge 2011). Therefore, it is easy to compare the behavior and weaknesses of inadequate education about road signs, safety and other requirements that prevent road accidents.
In addition, the data obtained did not require complicated ways of recording them because it is a simple research. There are no huge gaps between the characteristics of the subjects that belong to the same category; therefore, there was no need of using complicated methods of analyzing this information (Worrall 2011). The need to use this analysis is to show the differences between motorists that attended driving schools and those that did not. These differences are shown in how they understand road signs, motor vehicles and the rights of other road users.
Conclusion
The research findings and data discussed in this essay show that attending driving schools helps motorists to understand road signs and their meanings. In addition, it ensures motorists know the functions of various parts of their vehicles and enables all road users to be careful and respect the rights of others. Therefore, this research proves that is it important to attend driving schools to promote road safety.
References
Ham. K (2011). Evaluation of Road Safety Promotion Program offered in Korea. Boston: Wiley-Blackwell.
Puttergill, C. (2011). Group Dynamics. Study Guide for Social Movements. Pretoria: University of South Africa.
Rutledge, T. (2011). Relationships between Road Carnage and Drivers’ Education. London: Routledge.
Victor, L. (2011). A Literature Review of Depression, Anxiety and Road Accidents. Boston: Wiley-Blackwell.
Worrall, L. (2011). Introduction to Data Analysis: Principles of Research and Data Analysis. Boston: Wiley-Blackwell.
Appendix
Table 1A.
Table 1B
Table 1C.
