Submitted To: Maam Tabinda

Submitted By: Sami Ullah

Subject: Research Methodology

Topic: Research Proplosal

 Submitted On: 24thDec, 2021

Abstract
“Pandemics are large-scale outbreaks of infectious disease. They have a long history associated
with them. This present study explores the literature for the concept and history of pandemics,
providing a summary of key features with discussion on the negative impacts on health,
economy, society, environment and global security and their aftermaths on human society,
caused by pandemics and disease outbreaks.

Objectives: It utilizes the methods of analyzing archival data and figures, and makes use of an
online survey, to understand the impacts of these disease outbreaks, ranging from pandemics that
occurred in the 18th century to the recent pandemics like the COVID-19, on human history and
human life. Various pandemics that have occurred throughout the course of human history have
been seen to cause instability in our society. However, these effects have been reduced in recent
times due to the understanding of some key points; including but not limited, to geographic
extension, disease movement, novelty, severity, attack rates, explosiveness, population
immunity, infectiousness and contagiousness. By conducting this study, we come to understand
how pandemics have acted as a recurring phenomenon prevalent in human society since almost
the beginning, and how it leaves human society and its various aspects in ruins. But, as human
civilization grew, people became more cautious and have better understood how to control these
pandemics, and have understood how to recover from the devastation left on society in the wake
of these pandemic.

1.Introduction:

Pandemics are large-scale disease outbreaks made significantly widespread due to human
to human infection. History has witnessed many significant disease outbreaks and
pandemics, the most significant being Cholera, Influenza, Typhus, Smallpox, Measles,
Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Malaria, Yellow fever, Spanish flu, Hong Kong flu, SARS, H7N9,
Ebola, Zika, HIV/AIDS and the current COVID-19. The term “pandemic” has not been
accurately defined in any medical texts, however there are certain characteristics of a
pandemic which include spreading over a large region, severity, high attack rate, high spread
rate, explosive growth, disease movement, infectiousness and contagiousness. These
characteristics help us better identify pandemics with respect to similarities or differences
between them. Throughout history pandemics have caused massive impacts on health,
economy, society, environment, security along with disruptions in political and social circles.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pandemics in the world since the
18th century by observing and collecting statistics from articles and books related to earlier
pandemics and conducting online survey regarding the COVID-19 epidemic from the general
public.

1.3. Research Questions

• What were the global effects induced by the pandemics during 18th -20th century?

• What are the social and economic changes that are being caused by the current COVID-
19 pandemic?

1.4. Objective of Study

• To inform governing bodies about the pandemics of the past and their diverse effects on
the economy of the country so that they may establish new and improved policies during
the current epidemic.

• To receive information from the general public regarding the economic and social
changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• To receive knowledge about the extent of general public’s obedience regarding the new
laws and SOPs established by the government during the pandemic

• To educate the public and authorities about dangers caused by a pandemic and prepare
them for a better, secure and healthy future.
 1.5. Methodology
The date was this research was collected by utilizing the method of secondary data
analysis/archival studies, where previously available information, data and graphs were
analyzed and by utilizing an online survey conducted with the help of Google Docs, to
understand the view of the people regarding the current pandemic, COVID-19.

1.6. Limitations
• The scope of this study was limited because to ensure the data was accurate and up to
date, the pandemics researched ranged from the pandemics in the 18 th century to the more
recent one in the 21st century. Furthermore, the reports and data obtained for these
pandemics were still not very up to date due to the fact that some of the pandemics
researched were still relatively old and the basis for data collection was purely archival
studies and historical records.

• The survey was conducted online, therefore, it could only reach the educated population
and failed to capture the perspective of the poor people who could not use any online
device to fill the survey. In contrast to an ideal case study, the survey could only be
spread on a moderate level, where even though the number of responses were around
240, they were not nearly enough to capture the collective point of views of all the people
regarding this recent pandemic, COVID-19.

• Owing to the current condition and some time and budget constraints several important
data records such as hospital reports and government statistics could not be accessed.

• This study may be limited through the use of a questionnaire as a data collection
instrument. Because questionnaires must generally be brief, areas that may have been
affected by the pandemic may not have been included in the questionnaire.

All attempts possible have been made to minimize the effects of these limitations on the
study.

2. Literature Review:
The report deals with the various impacts of pandemics on humans, economically, socially,
environmentally and security and health wise. Evidence suggests that the likelihood of
pandemics has increased over the past century because of increased global travels (Jones and
others 2008; Morse 1995). But since the likeliness has recently increased, the preparedness
for these pandemics has also increased. International donors also have begun to invest in
improving preparedness by funding for building health capacity (Wolicki and others 2016).

According to previous literature recordings we know that among the impacts, pandemics
cause significant, widespread increase in morbidity and mortality. Pandemics have also
caused economic damage through multiple channels, including short term fiscal shocks and
longer-term negative shocks to economic growth. Individual behavioral changes, such as
fear-induced aversions to workplaces and public gatherings. Some pandemic prevention had
caused some significant social and economic disruption. In countries with weak political
systems, pandemics have caused an increase in political stresses and tensions.

This study gives a rather comprehensive outlook on the various impacts of pandemics and
adds onto the impacts already discussed before by various recordings. Unlike most reports
which are based on a limited number of impacts, this study discusses all the various possible
impacts of pandemics on the human race, ranging from pandemics in the 18 th century up till
the most recent COVID-19 of the 21st century.

3. Methodology:
3.1. Source of Data:

Data for this research report was collected by utilizing the following two methods:

• Secondary Data Analysis/Archival Studies.

• Online Survey.

For the pandemics spanning from 18th century up till the recent 21st century pandemics not
accounting for the COVID-19 pandemic, information recorded about the pandemics that took
place recently, in the form of other research reports, data tables, figures and graphs were
analyzed and the data was collected for our research report.

To collect relevant data for the recent COVID-19 pandemic, an online survey was conducted
through questionnaires made using Google Documents to capture how people were being
impacted economically, socially and in other aspects of their lives. The questionnaire was so
designed that it captured the people’s views about this pandemic and how it has affected
them. The questionnaire was divided into four parts. The first part recorded the people’s
name, gender and age to classify them into their respective demographics. The second part
dealt with people’s thoughts and views regarding this recent pandemic. Respondents were
asked about their opinion regarding the reality of the situation and the duration of the
pandemic. The third part asked people about effects of the pandemic on their current social
life, and how they were adapting to these recent circumstances. Respondents were asked
about their outdoor visits to relatives and friends and the rate at which they left indoor
premises. They were also asked about their opinion related social issues such as
unemployment and shortage of food and their participation in food distribution schemes
(government or private) during this outbreak. The fourth and final part asked the people what
they were doing practically to prevent the spread of this pandemic so that it did not reach
them or their loved ones. Respondents were asked about their obedience to precautionary
measures set by government such as wearing masks, gloves while outside and washing hands
thoroughly and regularly. They were also asked about isolation and their view on lockdown.
A detailed copy of this questionnaire can be found on Appendix A.

3.2. Sample Selection:

The respondents involved in this survey conducted online belonged to various age groups
and geographical regions, with the dominant age group being around 15-29, and belonging to
Pakistan. However, the survey managed to capture almost all age groups, from teenagers and
young adults to the elderly and it managed to reach countries such as United States, Canada,
New Zealand and Dubai. Hence, the survey essentially reached and captured the views of
people around the globe regarding this pandemic.

3.3. Statistical Methods:

For the archival studies, the data was obtained through data figures and graphs, so the
information was obtained in a well tabulated form, in the shape of bar graphs, tables and pie
charts.
For the online survey, the built-in function of the google doc allowed all the results to be
tabulated in the form of pie charts, where the record of the responses of the people were
tabulated percentage wise.

• References:

• “The Islamic Worldto 1600: The Mongol Invasions (The Black Death)”,archived from the
original on January 31, 2009.

• Byrne, J. P., 2008, Encyclopedia of Pestilence, Pandemics, and Plagues: A-M, ABC-
CLIO.

• Shally-Jensen, M., 2010, Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues, ABC-

CLIO, pp. 1510.

• Hilleman, M. R., 2002, “Realities and Enigmas of Human Viral Influenza: Pathogenesis,
Epidemiology and Control”, 20, pp. 3068-3087.