What is your research question? This is the question you will be exploring in your research. What do you want to know or discover about the topic you have chosen? As you go through the research process your research question may change, and that is fine
- Write at least five “development questions.” These are questions that underlie your research question (must be answered in order to answer your research question) or arise from your research question. They can be simple or complex questions.
o Development questions are questions that underlie or arise from your research question. That is, they are questions that you need to answer to answer your research question, or that grow out of your research question.
o Development questions can help think of different directions to take your paper. Every paper will be different, depending on your interests, your topic, and what you discover in your sources.
o Some questions are more theoretical and abstract (such as how or why questions), while others are more concrete and practical (such as questions about policy implications).
o Some people like to structure their paper around their development questions (and their answers). You may find that you don’t use all of them, but only some of them. One of them may even become your new research question.
Full Answer Section
Understanding the Barriers
The first development question is about understanding the barriers that underserved populations face in accessing mental health care. These barriers can be complex and multifaceted, and they can vary depending on the specific population group.
Some common barriers include:
- Lack of insurance
- Lack of transportation
- Lack of culturally competent providers
- Stigma associated with mental illness
- Language barriers
- Geographic barriers
It is important to understand the specific barriers that different underserved populations face so that we can develop effective strategies to address those barriers.
Effective Strategies for Improvement
The second development question is about identifying the most effective strategies for improving access to mental health care for underserved populations. There are a variety of strategies that can be used, such as:
- Expanding insurance coverage for mental health care
- Increasing the number of mental health providers in underserved communities
- Providing culturally competent mental health care services
- Reducing stigma associated with mental illness
- Increasing access to transportation to mental health appointments
It is important to evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies in different settings.
Policy Changes
The third development question is about identifying the policy changes that are needed to improve access to mental health care for underserved populations. Some potential policy changes include:
- Requiring insurance companies to cover mental health care on par with physical health care
- Increasing funding for mental health services in underserved communities
- Expanding access to Medicaid and other public health insurance programs
- Reducing stigma associated with mental illness through public education campaigns
It is important to advocate for policy changes that will improve access to mental health care for underserved populations.
Increasing Awareness
The fourth development question is about how to increase awareness of the importance of mental health care for underserved populations. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it is important to educate the public about the importance of mental health care.
Some ways to increase awareness include:
- Public awareness campaigns
- Educational programs for schools and communities
- Training for healthcare providers
- Media coverage of mental health issues
It is important to increase awareness of the importance of mental health care so that people are more likely to seek help when they need it.
Reducing Stigma
The fifth development question is about how to reduce stigma associated with mental illness in underserved populations. Stigma can prevent people from seeking help for mental health problems, and it can also lead to discrimination and social isolation.
Some ways to reduce stigma include:
- Public education campaigns
- Mental health advocacy groups
- Training for healthcare providers
- Media coverage of mental health issues in a positive and accurate way
It is important to reduce stigma associated with mental illness so that people are more likely to seek help when they need it.
Conclusion
These five development questions are all important to answering my research question: How can we increase access to mental health care for underserved populations? By understanding the barriers that underserved populations face, identifying effective strategies for improvement, advocating for policy changes, increasing awareness, and reducing stigma, we can make progress in ensuring that everyone has access to the mental health care they need.
Additional Thoughts
I believe that my research question is important because mental illness is a major public health problem, and it is important to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need. Underserved populations are disproportionately affected by mental illness, but they are also less likely to have access to high-quality mental health care.
My research will provide valuable information that can be used to improve access to mental health care for underserved populations. The information I collect will be used to identify the specific needs of underserved populations, develop strategies to address those needs, and advocate for policy changes that will improve access to mental health care.
I am committed to working with the populations, communities, and groups listed in my capstone project and needs assessment to ensure that everyone has access to the mental health care they need.