Record of Initial Ideas:
As a general area to pursue I am doing a dental related EPQ. As for my topic, I have chosen the
Fluoridation of Water due to the positive externality it creates and the largely debated issue of whether it is morally ethical to do this or not. At first, it seemed it could only be advantageous to us but then I realised after deeper reading that many are concerned with the side effects of fluorine as an element to our human body. For this purpose, I have posed an initial title of, ‘What are the main reasons for and against fluoridating domestic water?’ I reached this title after rumination over whether to choose fluoridation of water or the use of amalgam fillings; Amalgam fillings contain mercury which has over time created a cause for concern because of toxicity and poisoning. I refuted this idea, despite being a good topic, because I felt the fluoridation of water is more of an evaluative topic thus supplying me with an argument to create my own judgement on. This is key because my supervisor prompted us to find a title of debate which would allow for both sides of the argument to be expressed and a judgment made.
First ideas for research and development of your project:
As for research, I was informed about ‘Very Short Introduction’ books by the Oxford University Press from my supervisor. After investigating into them I found only one relevant but it was only mildly useful – “Teeth: a very short introduction” by Peter S Ungar, 2014 [Accessed 13/01/16]. However, after skim reading through the irrelevant chapters such as ‘Evolution of teeth in mammals’ I read in depth a small few sections regarding fluoride and its benefits. I am currently investigating other resources to read such as: ‘The Case Against Fluoride: How Hazardous Waste Ended Up in Our
Drinking Water and the Bad Science and Powerful Politics That Keep it There’ (Paul Connett, 2010),
‘Fluoride in Drinking Water, A Scientific Appraisal of EPA’s Standards’ (National Research Council of the National Academies, 2006), ‘The Fluoride Deception’ (Christopher Bryson, 2004) and ‘Fluoride:
Drinking Ourselves To Death’ (Barry Groves, 2001).
For the development of my project, I am planning to create objectives with the criteria: SMART. This acronym ensures that my weekly schedule will be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and
Timed. This way I can maintain time management and be very methodical about how I research the fluoridation of water which will be underlined by specific questions. These questions will help to focus my research and keep it relevant. Some examples I have conceived are: ‘what are the adverse side effects of fluorine in water to our bodies?’ ’How does fluorine prevent tooth decay?’ ‘How is the fluorine added and regulated in water safely?’…
These questions will eventually form the structure of my essay giving birth to sections such as: for and against (justified with explanations chemically which will lead me above and Beyond the A level spectrum and into university level intellect and comprehension) and experimental results including what they show.
I also plan to visit my local library and other university libraries in particular to attain some of these books or other resources which may prove useful to me and view reports and information online from reliable sources.