Theoretical Perspective Assignment

This section is devoted to the description of an appropriate theoretical framework for your project.

You may use any of the theories we discussed in class (ex. Functionalist, conflict, interactionist, etc) or you may use a theory/framework that you find on your own (such as those found when doing your research paper table) or that you found within your research studies in your literature review.

IMPORTANT: A theory is not the same as a hypothesis you have on why variables in your research are related. A theory is something that has been tested extensively and provides a framework to viewing your research question and the results of your research. It provides a lens from which we can make sense of relationships between variables and helps to explain why certain phenomenon occur or happy as they do. It is not something that you make up on your own, but something that has been supported by past research and used in past research.

In 1 -2  pages, describe the theoretical perspective that will guide yourproject, and why it is appropriate. The theory you use must match your sociological question as well as the methods and conceptualizations you use. This alignment is more important than the theory itself – in other words, you can select any theory,as long as it corresponds to your work.

For example, an interactionist approach (micro level) would be suited to a study about identity development among teen fathers (individual unit of analysis). A functionalist approach (macro level) would be better suited to a study of a specific program developed to foster parenting behaviors among teen fathers (organizational unit of analysis). You are not restricted to using the perspectives and theories outlined in lecture. If you have taken any theory course in previous semesters, I encourage you to reflect back to them for guidance. It might also be useful to look at the articles you used in the literature review, any of those might have used a theory you can apply to your study.

Remember: the reason we use theory in research is to help us better understand what we are looking at and studying (events, behavior, situations, etc.).

Your grade will be based on:

1. Describing the theoretical framework that will guide your project. (Theory is a set of principles based on extensive empirical research evidence. Make sure you distinguish between a theory and your own hypotheses)
   1. Include information about:
      1. how the theory was developed, its focus, and the level of measurement (micro, macro, etc.).
   1. Explain the theory as if you are writing to an audience that has never heard about it before.
2. Explaining why this theoretical framework is appropriate for your study.
   1. How will this theory help you understand your study and research question?