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METHODOLOGY IN PRACTICE 5

Methodology in Practice

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Methodology in Practice

Research in sociology aims to study people and institutions using various research methodologies. It employs system and formal processes of collecting data in understanding the world around the researchers and the social behaviors of people. This research is designed to explain what people ting and feel about social issues and the variation of these thoughts and feelings in groups. The following is a discussion on sociology research concerning the selected individuals for profiling.

Identification and Introduction of the Individuals

The identified group for this study is composed of fifteen members. Five agreed to respond to the study openly while the rest opted to conceal their identities. The gang comprises immigrants that offer security to one another, especially from harassment and being bullied by others. The members are Williams Bond, Brown Johnson, Brandon James, Cameron Joe, and John Malik. These people live in the neighborhood, and we occasionally meet on the streets. I knew them physically but previously had scanty relationships. I was interested in choosing the group for this project because I have noted that most of the time, they do their things together. Examples include walking on the streets, going out for eateries, and even in social gatherings. I am driven by the need to identify their reasons for sticking together. Besides, they live in our neighborhood and, therefore, I have ideal opportunities for studying their behaviors.

Identification of Methodological Approach

The methodology of the study is the strategies that are implemented in the description, exploration, and explanation of different social phenomena in an ethical format (Lecture Notes, 2020). In sociology, every aspect of human behavior is a possible investigation. The researchers criticize the world that human creates and live and notice patterns of behaviors as people engage in their daily activities. For the purpose of this research, a qualitative method of data collection will be used to find answers. This study design involves collecting descriptive data that can later be converted into a numerical format for interpretations. This research is selected because it will help in understanding the social life of the profiled members. It focuses on the micro-level of social interaction that comprises the daily lives of the individuals. The type of qualitative research that will be used in this study is ethnography. It will be in the form of an in-depth study of the people over a relatively long period of time. This gives the researcher adequate time to observe and collect data from the group. Ethnography depends on the observation from participants as the major method of collecting data (Yanik, 2017). It may imply the researcher submerging in the culture of the group to learn the culture of the individuals. The goal of this study is to understand the practices within the group. It also aims at identifying the reason for the practice was making sense in the context of the daily lives of the individuals. This method is preferred because it will allow the use of other methods like interviews and focus groups co-currently to collect as much data as possible. Data from this method will be recorded in the form of field notes that are written as daily logs to describe the daily life and events that are observed. The field notes will be made as descriptive as possible and in a way that can be read by other people.

Social Factors that Influenced Individual

One of the social factors that influence the individuals in the group is race. This race and ethnicity in gang membership is a common observable feature. The relationship between this factor and gangs is complicated, and it forms the foundation for formation (Freng, 2018). The identified group for study in this research is African American young men. Most seems to be in the teenage and early twenties. Ethnicity is associated with different risk factors like immigration, discrimination, social isolation, limited education opportunities, and the possibility of low parental monitoring. The media paints gang membership as a subject for minorities and inner cities. Most of the gangs are minority youth. Environmental and community factors have been critical in the development of youth gang because these factors determine the access for opportunities. In American society, some minority races are likely to live in disadvantaged conditions as compared to the majority (Freng, 2018). These conditions expose them to the risks of joining the gang. The community around youth has significant implications for their likelihood to join gangs, and very few programs are available to change societal factors that increase the risks. The individuals may feel the need to be in a group to defend themselves against the dominant groups, especially the ones with competing values. The membership may be influenced by the need for social support due to marginalization heightened disadvantages.

Education is another social factor that will be examined in the research. It has varying implications in gang formation. Some minority groups have inadequate funding to support their education and, therefore, lack something to keep them busy (Sales, 2019). It limits their employability since they have inadequate skills that are competitive in the job market. Studies link knife crimes, serious youth violence, and a high number of school dropouts in young people. Children are restricted from attending their schools of choice and pursuing their preferred subjects because their parents cannot raise the required school fees. They even strain to facilitate the children in public schools due to lack of adequate family support like lack of food and necessary shelter. A school that has poor attendance, low achievement, disruptive classroom behaviors, and high rates of dropout creates a hostile community that is not desirable to live. On the other hand, schools that engage students to produce individuals that have high potentials for contributing positively to the community. Education has a crucial role to play on the prevention of gang formation. It prevents negative behavior through programs that are designed to promote emotional and social behaviors of learners, and help them understand the risks of making safe choices. Schools should be developed to address the challenges that youth experience especially the ones from minority groups. This can be achieved by designing possible supportive measures. Early interventions in school such as preventing bullying are integral in supporting young people to help them meet their full potential. This can minimize the risks of being forming a gang to address their welfares. Therefore, schools should strive to create a safe environment for students to prevent the tendencies of gang formation.

Many gangs are prevalent in poverty-stricken neighborhoods. This aspect is not only common in the U.S but across the world. A disproportional number of disadvantaged residents characterize some regions. Some are underemployed, unemployed, or even unemployable because of inadequate skills. These populations have scanty economic opportunities, constrained city services such as poor health care, and struggling school systems (Higginson et al., 2018). These regions are homes for city minorities as immigrant populations. When businesses develop in the suburbs and shift their operations from inner-cities, people are face reduced opportunities for employees to support their livelihood. The youth seek means for survival by forming gangs. Some mug people, while others act as a counter-attack to offer protection for the members. These are some of the common characteristics of gangs, especially in inner cities. There is a youthful population that resides in these areas and who do not have legitimate business skills. As a result, some of the youth form groups and indulge in illegal activities like gambling and the sale of illegal goods.

References

Freng, A. (2018). Race, ethnicity, and youth gangs. Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-1-4614-5690-2_124

Higginson, A, Benier, K, Shenderovich, Y, Bedford, L, Mazerolle, L & Murray, J. (2018). Factors associated with youth gang membership in low-and middle-income countries: A systemic review. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.4073/csr.2018.11

Lecture Notes. (2020). Methodology-part II

Sales, D. (2019). Crime lessons: Gangs are recruiting kids who can’t afford to go to school, shocking report finds. The Sun. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.4073/csr.2018.11

Yanik, B. (2017). An ethnographic approach to education: What are you doing in this village? Journal of education and Practice, Vol.8, No.26. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED577577.pdf