Research Plan
Parameters:
The system: Various systems in Korea which result in the high suicide rate.
The strategy: The messages are a form of strategy to prevent people from jumping off the bridge.
- Key research questions:
- What are the reasons for the high suicide rate in South Korea?
- What is the purpose of these messages? What kind of messages are there?
- Are the motion-activated lights and messages on the Mapo Bridge effective on preventing suicide?
- What are the possible reasons for its success/failure?
- Are there any backfires to this strategy?
- Which organization was behind the implementation of these messages on the bridge?
- What does the bridge look like today?
- What does this tell us about the mental state of people who commit suicide? What would be a better way to help them?
- Resources to be used/bibliography:
Suicide Rate By Country 2020, worldpopulationreview.com/countries/suicide-rate-by-country/.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/suicide-rate-by-country/
Starr, Michelle. “’Bridge of Life’ Projects Messages to Prevent Suicides.” CNET, CNET, 25 June 2013, www.cnet.com/news/bridge-of-life-projects-messages-to-prevent-suicides/.
https://www.cnet.com/news/bridge-of-life-projects-messages-to-prevent-suicides/
“Seoul’s Mapo Bridge to Get Suicide Barriers.” Koreatimes, 9 Sept. 2016, www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/09/116_213806.html.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/09/116_213806.html
“Seoul Anti-Suicide Initiative Backfires, Deaths Increase by More than Six Times.” SoraNews24, 26 Feb. 2014, soranews24.com/2014/02/26/seoul-anti-suicide-initiative-backfires-deaths-increase-over-than-six-times/.
- Work timeline:
- 4.29 : Answer questions 1-3
- 4.30: Answer questions 4-6
- 4.31: Answer questions 7-8
Potential challenges:
- Being unable to use articles written in Korean
- Being unable to visit the ‘Bridge of Life’ at Mapo Bridge in person as it has been taken down
