Term Project Report - Quantitative Research Methods

Background

Over the years, studies have shown a rapid decline in Teen pregnancy rates across the United States. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, birth rates for woman between the ages of 15-19 dropped 10% from 2012. Looking further into the research, they have dropped 13% for woman between the ages of 15-17 and 8% for those aged 18 and 19. This study will determine if the correlation between Teen Pregnancy, Sexual Activity, and Age. It will also look into the impact on Teen Pregnancy when there is increased Sexual Education and access to Contraceptives.

The primary independent variable in this relationship is age because it has the most weight in the calculation between two variables.

Definition of Variables

The model is:

Y = X1 + X2 + X3 + X4

Where:

Y = TEEN PREGNANCY

X1 = AGE

X2 = SEXUAL ACTIVITY

X3 = SEXUAL EDUCATION

X4 = USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES

Teen_Preg = Age + Sexual_Act + Sex_Ed + Contraceptive_Use

Y: The dependent variable is teen pregnancy. Teen Pregnancy is a pregnancy that takes places during a human’s teenage years. This study is looking into the reasoning for the declining pregnancy rates in the United States. I will be looking at the correlation and the relationship between the independent variables and the effect each one has on the dropping rates of teenage pregnancy over the years.

X1: The primary independent variable is age. Looking at age as an independent variable will involve finding the relationship between teen pregnancy and the age/maturity level of the teenager. It will also give insight to the grade level of the individual.

X2: Sexual Activity includes any activities that are associated with sexual intercourse. Sexual activity is a broad term that includes more than just sexual intercourse.

X3: Sexual Education “is the process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, relationships, and identity” (Sex Education that Works). This is an...