Poverty in Social Sciences Research

Introduction

According to certain sources, poverty is a state of mind that limits progressive thinking when faced by problems. However, social scientists use a unique approach that identifies the causes of poverty, its implication on human existence, and how people can resolve the issue. Policymakers should view poverty from the point of illiteracy, malnutrition, and lack of basic amenities that hinder individuals from pursuing their desired objectives in their immediate environment. Hence, poverty manifests itself as situational, generation, and absolute forms that affect people’s ability to interact with other individuals in their surroundings.

The Link Between Methodology and Epistemology

In research, scholars are supposed to develop research questions and objectives that guide them in the execution of different activities that provide solutions to modern-day problems. Research methodology offers the guidelines on the approaches researchers can use to execute various scholarly functions that respond to different queries held by individuals. On its part, epistemology highlights the knowledge people have regarding different topical issues affecting people in their immediate environment. Identifying the right sources of information enables scholars to gather participants who can take part in research methods such as answering questionnaires and responding to questions. Even though there are different techniques people can use to accomplish their desired objectives, highlighting the issues researchers can address such as poverty yields positive outcomes in the society.

In Knowledge Organization (KO), researchers formulate certain pointers that guide them in their approach towards various topical issues such as poverty. In their approaches, scholars focus on representation and the role of system in influencing people’s perspectives towards life. Different epistemic stances dictate the perspectives people have towards certain issues that affect individual lifestyles. For instance, poverty is perceived differently by individuals around the world, compelling scholars to dig deeper to develop a standard definition that rules out bias when promoting the understanding of the issue at hand (Jindra & Jindra, 2018). Considering the different aspects of information that people can access, the understanding of societal problems is significantly influenced by the epistemic stances that exist in the contemporary society. Therefore, when designing a research methodology, scholars must acknowledge the different perspectives held by individuals towards the study topic.

The Positivist Approach to Methodology

Positivism thrives in the application of scientific methods to generate accurate data that highlights the impact of an existing problem on the lifestyles of individuals in the world today. Conducting experiments and surveys is a perfect example of positivism, which influences the methodology embraced by researchers to develop solutions for problems affecting people in the community (MN, 2018). Many scientists and scholars believe there was one unwritten rule that dictated the operational activities in the society. However, the evolving community has exposed individuals to complex belief and value systems governing people’s lifestyles. These systems present additional problems that require a singular approach towards the resolution of issues when they occur in the contemporary society. Acknowledging the influence of aspects such as technology in the world today enables scholars to make informed decisions concerning their ability to resolve issues taking place in their surroundings.

Many scholars believe that positivism is guided by distinct principles that define the nature of approaches researchers can use to respond to queries on topical issues. Depending on the tactics embraced by researchers on demystifying problems in the world today, individuals must understand the origin of certain ideals that inspire the standard way of viewing problems. For instance, positivism requires researchers to focus on explaining and predicting the outcomes by developing a hypothesis that acts as a guide in the scholarly work. Observing the behavior of participants during the interview sessions provides an opportunity to scholars where they can develop findings that highlight the impact of certain approaches in the contemporary society. Despite the desire to accomplish the research objectives, the research approach should majorly rely on the ability of the scholars to use standard measures across different disciplines.

The Intepretivist Approach to Methodology

When collecting data for a research activity, researchers are entitled to use certain methods that enable them to understand the causes of topical issues and their impact on selected population groups. When exploring poverty and its implication on the human race, scholars focus on developing a broad perspective that widens their scope on the social problem (Lister, 2004). Using tactics such as observation and interpretation of participant feedback enables individuals to formulate informed opinions regarding the impact of the chosen issue on people’s perspectives. Interviews and observation play a significant role in aiding researchers to gain knowledge on poverty as a scholarly topic and develop credible findings that enable them to provide viable solutions to the public.

The interpretivist approach integrates human interests in a research study where scholars can develop credible findings by engaging a sample population that represents the views of a larger group in the community. Idealism provokes the thought process of individuals by exposing them to practical situations that enhance reflection and the ability of the public to relate with different issues, which influence their perspectives on poverty. Researchers under the interpretivist approach should acknowledge the differences that define individuals and their ability to overcome numerous challenges that shape the identity of different population groups in their surroundings. Therefore, symbolic interactionism and hermeneutics define the approaches researchers can use when demystifying poverty and analyzing its impact on the general public.

Factors that Influence a Researcher’s Choice of Methodology

When studying a specified issue affecting the public, researchers approach the problem from a point of information that acts as a guide towards the execution of various methodologies. Developing a hypothesis defines the researcher’s angle and his or her ability to identify the causes of the topical issue. However, the scholars must maintain an open mind when interacting with different individuals and acknowledge the differences that define the actual identity of the distinct population groups. Recognizing these differences creates an enabling environment where researchers can pursue the common understanding of poverty and match it with existing literature on the study issue.

Large surveys and observations are time consuming and expensive to conduct because of the consistent interaction with people and the tedious process of collecting information. Scholars review the cost of conducting a research study because of its impact on the nature of findings that are retrieved from the research exercise. Besides, the cost of conducting the project and the time taken to review the findings is a key determinant of the choice of methodology embraced by scholars (Giddens, 2001). However, the aims of the entire research activity might overlook the aspects of cost because of the desired expectations that must be measured to develop accurate and credible results that inform the public on poverty. Since the problem is broad, deploying specific methodologies might be key in the realization of issues affecting the public.

Conclusion

Poverty manifests itself as situational, generation, and absolute forms that affect people’s ability to interact with other individuals in their surroundings. Different theorists have explored the concept of poverty and how it influences outcomes in the modern world. Depending on the understanding of individuals concerning poverty, many arguments that describe the outcome focus on its impact on people’s lifestyles and how it influences their perspectives towards life. For instance, social stratification highlights the consequences of poverty and how low-income earners encounter social discrimination, racism, and sexism. Therefore, acknowledge the influence of positivism and interpretivism in research enables researchers to develop credible findings that influence their focus towards the study topic.

 

 

References

Giddens, A. (Ed.). (2001). The global third way debate (pp. 1-24). Cambridge: Polity Press.

Jindra, I. W., & Jindra, M. (2018). Connecting poverty, culture, and cognition: The bridges out of poverty process. Journal of Poverty, 22(1), 42-64.

Lister, R. (2004). A politics of recognition and respect: involving people with experience of poverty in decision-making that affects their lives. In The politics of inclusion and empowerment (pp. 116-138). Palgrave Macmillan, London.

MN, K. (2018). ‘Policing the poor’and ‘poor policing’in a global city. Journal of Poverty, 22(3), 209-227.