Introduction
The article discussed in this paper presents a logical balance between youth and driving. The article under review in this section is titled “The illogic of youth driving culture” by K. Tilleczek published in the Journal of Youth Studies in 2004. The objective of the paper was to build and analyze a probable model of driving-related accidents in youths. A wide amount of research approach was used in this article to carry out the research, which was well coded and analyzed statistically to arrive at conclusions. Thus the paper looks into the possibilities and logical transition of youth and driving and indicates the possibilities of fatal results.
The research problem
The study identifies the research problem and it develops around the illogic of youth driving culture through various research facilities rather than a single unit mode. Then the research develops in logical consistency following the steps of the research process in a logical manner. These steps are backed by a Literature review is the review and it is logically organized and offers a balanced critical analysis of the literature. However, all of the literature included is of recent origin and revolves within the time frame of 10 years (the oldest being from 1993) and it presents a thorough outline of the problem and the possible solution. The literature is mainly primary sources but there are few secondary sources too. However, the secondary sources are well-reviewed and empirical. It should be noted that most of the 70 references used are scholarly journal articles. However, few books and a website are also used. However, the authors never included literature focused on administration costs and there was no indication where the costs could be found.
It should be noted that the research question was properly formulated and the methods followed were adequate. This ethnographic study is subjected to the fundamentals of regulations and logic of young drivers mainly in the community of northern Ontario. For this purpose, 88 novice drivers were used for the survey and the result yielded that graduate licensing is an important aspect for these drivers with proper driving educations.
Study methods
However, it should be noted that the methods used during the study were chiefly based upon surveys and self-evaluation techniques. Thus, it can be safely stated that the methods used in the study were predominantly qualitative. A quantitative research method may be defined as the process of collecting numeric data and using that data to show what those, observations reflect. One of the important factors of quantitative research methodology is data collection which is done through various processes such as interviews, questionnaire surveys, tests/measures, and observations as in this case. The quantitative method is widely used for its objectiveness. Quantitative methods are systematic and are based on a positive perspective. Further, quantitative research is replicable as it is possible to collect the same data in another situation or place and get some other outcome that can be compared. But quantitative research methodology has been criticized for its positivism. Further, there is a question of internal and external validity which was thought to be not present in the quantitative method by some psychologists. Additionally, the quantitative method has been criticized for being limited to hypothesis testing. Further, it is also called a simplistic process wherein data related to the research question are gathered which are then analyzed with little concern for the historical background of the situation. This shows that the quantitative method is not a full-proof method for acceptance and logically the author relied more on qualitative methods.
For the study, the author relied on the more dynamic and suitable studies which are occurring and are still in the process of change. They are useful to understand the reason for the development of the theory from the present understanding or studying prior historical data. But the advantages of the method are that they fail to be objective and are difficult to be replicated. So generalization is difficult in a qualitative research method. Qualitative researches are also known as the constructivist approach refuses positivism. Further, these researches are value bounded and it is very difficult to differentiate between cause and effect.
Study tools
The author used different tools for the study. A questionnaire is a way of bringing out the thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, experiences, or viewpoints of some section of individuals. As a data-gathering tool, it could be either structured or unstructured, and in this case, it was both. This questionnaire is most commonly an extremely brief, predetermined assortment of questions created to procure detailed information to correspond to a specific requirement for the research information concerning a relevant subject. The research information is procured from the respondents usually from an associated and correlated interest sphere. There are several advantages as well as disadvantages to the use of questionnaires as a data collection tool.
The author used this method because the costs and time associated with providing training to interviewers and sending them to an interview site are done away with by the use of questionnaires. Alongside, all responders are provided with the same set of questions written in the precisely same way. Thus, questionnaires are capable of producing more comparable data as compared to the information procured using an interview. Further, the queries are structured properly and the circumstances under which they are responded to be controlled, then the questionnaire is standardized.
Study issue
In the context of the study issue, it should be noted that it has been reported by US Road Safety Ltd that since 1st January 2008 there have been about 270,000 road causalities in the US alone amounting to a total cost of millions of dollars. Thus, it is obvious that anybody on the wheel should be more cautious while driving. This is more applicable for young drivers. The best possible element of a young driver is the fact of driving a car or motorbike. This includes the vicinity of the younger generation that is a logical condition for any youth. The freshness of the youth makes a person more energized. This makes young drivers more energetic at the wheel. This energy is reflected in the skill of the driver and but it also adds an element of show off and that is not responsible at any point in time. This ultimately makes the driving more insecure and road dangerous. The total accumulation of traffic thus is influenced by the presence of the youth. The other drivers of the road are hardly aware of the presence of youth on the wheel on road and that lack of consciousness makes them unaware of the reason to drive with extra safety.
Sure, it is a very difficult job for a young driver and the worst aspect of this job. To make the situation worse, there are the presences of drivers on the road who possess little or no respect for traffic or road laws. These drivers take on the road with speed limits in mind. They disobey the general traffic rules and are often found driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Even if a driver is maintaining all other laws and statutory measures while driving, the number of mobile phone users while driving is quite high. There can be a lapse of concentration due to these facts and can easily result in accidents with fatal consequences. These people should be restrained from using these means and a school bus driver must be aware of such intentional or unintentional threats on road for the safety of the youth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be stated that the report is well written and is quite concise. It is grammatically correct and quite close attention has been given to avoid the use of jargon. In the context of organizing the paper, it can be stated that the report is well formulated and organized and the fundamental plan has been well laid out. The study shows that the researcher is well qualified and holds appropriate knowledge and position in the particular field of the study and thus it can be stated that the issue has been well negotiated throughout the paper. One indication of the study is well organized is the title of the study itself. The title, The illogic of youth driving culture, clearly indicates the approach and the basics of the study. The title can thus be stated as clear, accurate, and unambiguous. Similarly, the abstract offers a clear overview of the study including the research problem, sample. Alongside, the methodology, findings, and recommendations are clear and concise. However, the sample size of 88 participants is quite low. It would have been better if the sample size was over 300 participants to yield a more accurate result.
References
Tilleczek, K. (2004). The illogic of youth driving culture. Journal of Youth Studies, 7(4), 475-491.