STA1507 2023 Project A
Research Proposal
STA1507 Project A
Assignment 4
Name: Sipho Mabuza
Student number: 18567363
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STA1507 2023 Project A
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Youth unemployment remains a pressing issue in South Africa, as it is in many countries around
the world. The challenges associated with youth unemployment are diverse and affect not only
individuals, but also society and the economy as a whole. As South Africa grapples with the
complexity of this issue, a deeper understanding of the youth population's experiences,
perspectives and concerns regarding unemployment is necessary. To this end, our research
focuses on a specific area of youth unemployment: the different levels of anxiety experienced by
young men and women.
1.2 Motivation
High levels of youth unemployment can have many consequences that affect not only the financial
well-being of individuals, but also their mental and emotional health. The emotional toll of
unemployment is an aspect that has received limited attention in the South African context. As
such, this research aims to address this gap by examining whether gender plays a role in the level
of anxiety experienced by unemployed youth.
1.4 Literature Review
Youth in South Africa continue to face difficulties in finding employment due to a greater rate of
joblessness than the country as a whole. As reported by the Quarterly Labour Force Survey
(QLFS) for the first quarter of 2022, the official national unemployment rate is now 34.5%, while
the rates for those aged 15 to 24 and those aged 25 to 34 recorded 63.9% and 42.1%,
respectively. Despite the fact that South Africa's graduate unemployment rate is still relatively low
compared to that of other educational levels, young unemployment persists as a problem,
regardless of educational achievement. In Q1: 2022, the unemployment rate for young graduates
(aged 15 to 24) decreased from 40,3% to 32,6% compared to the preceding year while rising by
6,9 percentage points to 22,4% for those between the ages of 25 and 34.[1]
According to reports, South Africa's structural inequality and slow economic development are two
economic factors that have a hand in the high rates of unemployment among youths. The fact that
many new graduates lack the skills required to meet employers' needs is also cited as a
contributing factor. This is because there is a mismatch between acquired capabilities and labour
market expectations. Furthermore, it is claimed that certain populations are particularly vulnerable
to unemployment as a result of the nation's historical heritage of racial injustice and discrimination,
aggravating the issue.[2]
The psychological impact of unemployment is largely ignored in favour of its economic impact.
However, it is crucial to comprehend how being jobless affects people psychologically since it has
a detrimental, even catastrophic effect on their general health. Without a question, being jobless
puts one's mental health at danger since, especially if they are out of work for an extended length
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of time, most unemployed persons experience a steady decline in their overall life satisfaction,
overall health, and sense of self-worth. Additional mental effects of stress include heightened
anxiety, low self-esteem, negativity, passive acceptance, intoxication, detachment, and self-harm,
as well as psychosomatic illnesses such as headaches, gastric ulcers, dermatitis, bronchitis, and
heart conditions.[3]
While these studies provide valuable insights into the broader context of youth unemployment,
there is a notable gap regarding the emotional experiences of male and female youth. Few studies
have specifically examined whether there is a gender-related discrepancy in the levels of worry
associated with unemployment. This research seeks to fill that gap and contribute to a more
comprehensive understanding of the issue.
1.5 Research Methodology
To answer the research question, a survey using a structured questionnaire will be conducted.
This questionnaire will be designed to measure the levels of worry among unemployed male and
female youth in South Africa. The questionnaire will include both closed-ended questions, utilizing
Likert scales, and open-ended questions to gather qualitative insights into the factors contributing
to worry.
The research problem is: Youth unemployment in South Africa
2. RESEARCH QUESTION
The research question under investigation is: "Are final year male students more worried than final
year female students about being unemployed at UNISA?"
This research question is motivated by the need to uncover potential gender-based disparities in
the emotional impact of unemployment. By understanding whether male and female students vary
in their degrees of anxiety, policymakers and support organizations and more effectively design
interventions and offer targeted help to individuals who may be more sensitive to the to the
emotional challenges of unemployment.
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3. METHODOLOGY
3.1 Population
The population under investigation consists of final year students at the University of South Africa
(UNISA) aged 18 to 35 years old, who are currently enrolled at any of the 6 different regional centres
or campuses in South Africa. To ensure a comprehensive yet representative sample, the following
considerations have been made:
3.2. Sample Frame
The sampling frame will comprise the following from UNISA's registrar's office:
A comprehensive list of the 6 different regional centres or campuses of UNISA where final year
students are enrolled will be listed and it will specify the names and locations of each centre/campus.
In addition, An exhaustive list of all final year students at UNISA, categorized by their respective
regional centres or campuses. This list will include the names and unique identifiers such as the
student number and ID’s of each final year student. Moreover, Information on the gender of each final
year student will be obtained, as this information is necessary for stratifying the sample by gender.
The list will specify whether each student is male or female.
Furthermore, Information on the age of each final year student will be obtained, as this information
will be required to ensure that the sample includes students aged between 18 and 35. Thereafter,
Contact details, such as email addresses or phone numbers, for each final year student will be
obtained, as this information is essential because the survey questionnaire will be delivered
electronically. Finally, Information indicating the registration status of final year students will be
obtained, because it confirms their eligibility for inclusion in the study.
3.1.2 Sampling Method
A stratified random sampling method will be employed to select respondents. Stratification will be
based on UNISA's six regional centres/campuses. Two main strata will be used, namely; 6 regional
centres/campuses (stratum 1) and gender (stratum 2). Systematic sampling will be applied to select
75 male and 75 female youth students from each campus to ensure a balanced representation when
selecting potential respondents.
3.1.3 Sample Size
The sample size for this research will be determined through a systematic approach to ensure
statistical validity and meaningful insights while also considering practical constraints. A sample size
of 150 final year students, of which 75 male and 75 female students aged between 18 to 35 years old,
will be selected from each of the 6 different regional centres or campuses of the University of South
Africa (UNISA), resulting in a total sample size of 900 final year students.
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3.1.4 Motivation for Sampling Choices
The stratified sampling method offers a structured and statistically robust approach to collecting data
from diverse strata within the population. It ensures that the sample is representative, balanced, and
capable of providing meaningful insights into youth unemployment perceptions among final year
students across various regional centres/campuses at UNISA. This method aligns with the goal of
producing credible and generalizable research findings.
Systematic sampling within each stratum will ensure an equal representation of male and female
students, as well as an equal distribution of students across age groups. This can help achieve
balance and reduce bias. Systematic sampling will be relatively easy to implement, and It will provide
a structured and systematic approach to selecting participants.
3.2 Data Collection Process
3.2.1 Identification of Respondents
The final year students within each regional centre/campus will be identified using an up-to-date and
comprehensive list, including all eligible students.
3.2.2 Invitation to Participate
. The Selected participants will receive an invitation to participate in the online survey through their
UNISA email addresses invitation will include a brief explanation of the research, the importance of
their participation, and a link to access the survey. Contact information will be provided for any
questions or concerns.
3.2.3 Informed Consent
Before beginning the survey, respondents will be presented with an informed consent statement
outlining the purpose of the research, their rights as participants, potential risks and benefits, data
confidentiality, and the voluntary nature of participation. They will be required to provide electronic
consent to proceed.
3.2.4 Survey Administration
Respondents will complete the survey online at their convenience. The survey platform will ensure
anonymity, and no personally identifiable information will be collected.
3.2.5 Avoidance of Bias
Strategies will be implemented to minimize bias during the data collection process, such as
randomizing the order of questions in the survey to avoid question order bias; clear and unbiased
language in survey questions will be used; and ensuring that the survey platform or method is
accessible to all participants, regardless of their technological capabilities.
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STA1507 2023 Project A
Key Variable Definition
 Gender: This variable identifies the gender of each respondent.
o
Measurement Scale: Nominal
o
Possible Values: Male/Female.
 Worry about unemployment: This variable measures the count for being concerned about
unemployment and not being concerned about unemployment according to the gender of the
students.
o
Measurement Scale: Nominal
o
Possible Values: Yes/No
 Worry about unemployment: This variable measures respondents' level of worry regarding
unemployment.
o
Measurement Scale: Ordinal (Likert Scale)
o
Possible Values: Not worried at all; little worried; Neutral; Worried; Extremly worried.
Answering the research question:
Descriptive data analysis methods will be employed to answer the research question. The analysis
will involve the following steps:

Frequency distributions will be used to summarize and analyse respondents' levels of worry
about unemployment, disaggregated by gender.

A stacked bar chart will be used to show the distribution of concern about unemployment for
each gender, where each bar is divided into segments representing concerned and not
concerned.
These data analysis methods will be applied to answer the research question, providing a clear and
comprehensive understanding of the concerns about unemployment among final year students at
UNISA.
A clear and definitive conclusion will be drawn based on the analysis results. This conclusion will
provide insights into whether male final year UNISA students exhibit a significantly higher level of
concern about unemployment compared to their female counterparts.
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4.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Ethical considerations, including informed consent and data privacy, will be upheld throughout the
research process. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants electronically, and their
identities will remain confidential. In addition, secure survey platforms and encryption methods will
be utilized when collecting and storing data to ensure data security. Furthermore, transparency
about the research process, including the data collection, analysis, and reporting phases will be
upheld. Information about any potential conflicts of interest will be shared.
Ethical approval for conducting the survey will be sought from UNISA's institutional review board.
By adhering to these data collection processes and ethical considerations, the research will be
conducted ethically, respects participants' rights, and maintains the integrity of the findings.
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5.
REFERENCES
[1] https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=15407
[2] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/youth-unemployment-south-africa-brian-zaca/
[3] https://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0256-95072015000300016
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STA1507 2023 Project A
APPENDIX A: THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Questionnaire: Perceptions of Youth Unemployment in South Africa
We appreciate your participation in our study. We greatly appreciate your insight into how unemployment
affects young people in South Africa. The following questions should be answered as honestly and
competently as possible. Your replies will remain confidential.
Demographic Information
1. Gender: (Tick the appropriate answer)
[ ] Male
[ ] Female
2. Region/Campus: (Tick the appropriate answer)
[ ] Eastern Cape Region
[ ] KwaZulu-Natal Region
[ ] Western Cape Region
[ ] Midlands Region
[ ] Gauteng Region
[ ] North Eastern Region
Worry about Unemployment
3. Are you worried about unemployment after completing your course?: (Tick the appropriate answer)
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
4. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 indicates "Not Worried at All" and 5 indicates "Extremely Worried,"
how worried are you about being unemployed?: (Tick the appropriate answer)
[ ] 1 Not Worried at all
[ ] 2 Little Worried
[ ] 3 Neutral
[ ] 4 Worried
[ ] 5 Extremely Worried
Perceptions of Unemployment
5. How would you rate the current job market conditions in South Africa?: (Tick the appropriate
answer)
[ ] Very favorable
[ ] Favorable
[ ] Neutral
[ ] Unfavorable
[ ] Very unfavourable
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STA1507 2023 Project A
6. What do you believe are the main factors contributing to youth unemployment in South Africa?
(Please provide your answer in the space provided)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Closing Remarks (Optional)
7. Do you have any additional comments or insights you would like to share regarding your
employment concerns or expectations after graduation? (Please provide your answer in the space
provided)
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your participation! Your input is valuable in our research efforts to address youth
unemployment in South Africa.
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