The decision to abort a child brings the prospective mother/parents always into a morally and ethically conflict. Anneli Kero conducted a case study examining this assumption in 2002.
My task for the present paper was to create an own research design with a different focus in the range of the same topic. I chose the questionning if the decision-making process of aborting a child would be different if the soon-to-be child would be handicapped. The aim of the research design was to find out if the inhibition treshold of the abortion of a handicapped child would be lower than with a physically healthy child.
My second task within this paper was to relate the research design to Poppers falsification principle and Chalmers´ thoughts about science in general.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Chapter 1: The Research Design
- 1.1 A case study
- 1.2 Introducing the problem
- 1.3 How to find an answer- the research design
- Chapter 2: Answering The Questions
- 2.1 In which ways has your reserach design been influenced by CHALMERS and/or POPPER?
- 2.2 Discuss criticaly what characterizes your own discipline/subject concerning theories and methods.
- 2.3 When and during which conditions is it possible to start a scientific revolution?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The main objective of this research is to examine the inhibition threshold for abortion of handicapped children compared to healthy children. It explores whether knowing the fetus is handicapped would influence the decision-making process and potential motivations for abortion.
- Factors influencing the decision to abort a handicapped child.
- Ethical and moral considerations surrounding abortion of handicapped children.
- The role of personal beliefs and values in decision-making.
- The impact of societal norms and legal frameworks on abortion practices.
- The psychological and emotional consequences of abortion.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1: The Research Design
This chapter introduces a case study involving interviews with 250 Swedish-speaking women in Umeå who applied for pregnancy termination. The study aimed to examine various aspects related to abortion, including psychological background, decision-making processes, and long-term psychological consequences. The chapter also details the methodology employed, including questionnaire design and interviews conducted at different stages post-abortion.
Chapter 2: Answering The Questions
This chapter delves into the research design's influence by philosophical perspectives such as those of Chalmers and Popper. It explores the characteristics of the discipline/subject in terms of theories and methods. The chapter also investigates the conditions under which a scientific revolution might occur.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research focuses on the key concepts of abortion, handicapped children, inhibition threshold, ethical considerations, moral dilemmas, decision-making, psychological impact, and societal norms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this research design on abortion?
The research examines whether the decision-making process for an abortion changes if the fetus is known to be handicapped compared to a healthy child.
What is an "inhibition threshold" in this context?
It refers to the moral or psychological barrier a person faces when considering an abortion. The study asks if this threshold is lower for handicapped children.
How does Popper's falsification principle relate to the study?
The research design is evaluated based on whether its hypotheses can be scientifically tested and potentially disproven, following Karl Popper's principles.
What methodology was used in the referenced case study?
The study involved questionnaires and interviews with 250 women in Umeå, Sweden, focusing on psychological consequences and decision-making.
What ethical considerations are addressed?
The research explores the moral conflict faced by parents, the impact of societal norms, and the role of personal values in the decision to terminate a pregnancy.
- Quote paper
- Sandra Schindlauer (Author), 2008, Breaking the Limit !?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/174343
