Suits Associates International
A study to determine the feasibility of opium production in Southern Alberta,
for pharmaceutical use.
AgendaLiterature ReviewResearch QuestionHypothesisResearch ObjectivesResearch Methods
Strategy and PhilosophySetting and SampleData Collection
Research EthicsIssuesIncentives
Time Scale and ResourcesWhat Lies Ahead…?
Background: Literature SourcesDeductive Approach to
ResearchSecondary Literature
Sources: Magazines and News Reports
Business Week Alberta Venture CBC
Market for Medicinal Poppies
$7.4 of poppy-related pharmaceutical products imported last year
Canada imports $100 Million in opium annuallyFor use in
pharmaceutical drugs, ex. morphine and codeine
Canada is the largest per capita consumer of codeine in the world
Dollars and SensePoppies will pay more
than any other cropUp to $6000/hectareCompared to
$2000/hectare for Wheat
API Labs Inc.$40 million pharmaceutical
plant near Lethbridge150 new jobs$300 million injected
annually into the local economy
Political Issues: International
International Law:Twenty countries allowed to grow opium poppies
Canada: All parts of the poppy are illegal, except for the
seeds Only G8 country that can claim this
Political Issues: InfrastructureBob Tarlick:
“We don’t want bikers running this”Afghanistan:
92% of world opium supplyWarlords, corruption and illegal drugs
Canada: Has the infrastructure
Steven Harper’s $64 million stance Biggest hurdle: Health Canada
Political Issues…?Largely disappear if
there are no illegal uses for these poppies
Peter FacchiniScientist and
acclaimed U of C professorWorking on
genetically modified poppies
No illegal implications
Still useful for medicinal purposes
Research Question: Research Question: Will public opinion and legalities
permanently hinder bringing poppies to Southern Alberta?
Hypothesis:Hypothesis:Huge financial gains, a strong infrastructure
and genetically modified plants will make poppy-growing a reality.
Research Objectives1. Determine support or opposition at
various political levels2. Determine public opinion3. Determine the progress of scientific
advances relating to this topic
Research StrategyCompile Primary Data
for Canada
Mixed-Method Mixed-Method ApproachApproachQuantitative
Telephone SurveyQualitative
Personal Interviews
Research PhilosophyFunctional PositivismFunctional Positivism
Independent third-party research firm
Problem-orientated approachSeeking rational solutions through
operational recommendations
5P’s Principle5P’s PrincipleProper Planning Prevents
Poor Performance!
MethodologyQuantitative:
Telephone SurveyRandom and
RepresentativeKnowledge GapsObjectiveCATI Software Variable Testing
MethodologyData Collection
Test, Re-Test, Re-viewSurvey executionDemographicsResearcher ExperienceCross-sectional
Sample Size95% Confidence Level, 4.0% Sampling ErrorContact 1,250 phone numbers
How far-reaching are the impacts?
Greatest impact closest to production region
Influential power of this region
Regional Considerations
Qualitative: Personal InterviewsStakeholder Analysis - SWOT
Avoid duplicationExploratory ResearchOfficials & Influential
Persons Provincial Legislators, Local Government, University Professors, Law Enforcement Agencies, Other Stakeholder Groups
Methodology
Data CollectionEffectiveness depends on
QUALITY of questions asked!Utilize public opinion survey
data to formulate more questions
Full disclosureConvenience of intervieweeDigital recordingTranscribing service
SampleProvincial Legislators
Ed StelmachDave HancockRick Casson
Local LegislatorsBob TarlekAlderpersonsMunicipal Authorities
SampleUniversity Professors
Dr. Peter FachinniDr. Danny Le Roy
Law EnforcementRCMPD.A.R.E.
Other StakeholdersGlen MetzlerCarol Harrington
Leading questions, Attempts made to
persuade participants,
Misreporting of information,
Not disclosing your identity,
Manipulation during interviews
Ethical Issues
Ethical PracticesResearch-Board
ApprovalWill never be
deceivedConfidentiality is
assured Data used properlyInterviews and
survey questions are not stressful
Ethical PracticesPersonal
InterviewsThe intervieweesIn the public eye Consent form Participant Rights
Financial Inducements5 Calgary
Flames ticket packages 2 tickets, Accommodation, $100 certificate
Activity
January
Febuaruy
March
Apr i l
May
June
July
August
Week number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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1 Holiday
2 Read additional literature
3 Stakeholder analisis
4 Finalise objectives
5 Draft literature review
6 Confirm research methods
7 Draft research methods
8 Review telephone survey
9 Run piolet test for survey
10 Revise survey if needed
11 Administer telephone survey
12 Enter data into computer
13 Analise the data
14 Contact interview participants
15 Review intervew questions
16 Pilot test and revise questions
17 Conduct intervies
18 Enter data into computer
19 Analise data
20 Draft findings chapter
21 Read new opium developments
22 Complete remaining chapters
23 Make last minute changes
24 Print and bind report
25 Submit feasibility report
Total ranging from $65,000 to $100,000Preparation, Testing, AnalysisTelephone InterviewsPersonal Interviews
Possibilities for joint investment:Corporate farms, Investors, and Pharmaceuticals
Time Scale and Resources
Discussion