Assignment: Study Proposal – Is income inequality a social problem that needs to be addressed?
Explain why you think a sociologist might find it important to answer the question “Is income inequality a social problem that needs to be addressed?”
Identify one theoretical approach that you think would be appropriate for your study and justify your choice by explaining how you would connect it to the question “Is income inequality a social problem that needs to be addressed?” and topic.
Describe what theory or theories you think would be most applicable to thinking about the question “Is income inequality a social problem that needs to be addressed?”
What benefits or drawbacks do the major theories (Structural-Functionalism, Conflict theory, Symbolic Interactionism, and Social Constructionism) offer in terms of focusing your thoughts on the question?
Identify one research method that you think would be appropriate for your study and justify your choice by explaining how you would use it to answer the question “Is income inequality a social problem that needs to be addressed?”
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Describe what research method(s) you think would be most useful for answering the question “Is income inequality a social problem that needs to be addressed?”
If you think that more than one theory and/or method is appropriate, make sure you thoroughly explain why each of your choices is relevant.
Note: Do not simply review theories and methods; you must directly justify their usefulness in your proposed study.
Why might a sociologist choose one method over another to complete this research?