Assignment:
Respond by clarifying or expanding your understanding of the role of a theoretical or conceptual framework in qualitative research. Search and locate a relevant article that uses a similar lens or an article that takes a different approach to support your response. Use proper APA format and citations.
Looking from a Theoretical Lens Perspective
Theory and research are interrelated in many ways: Theory frames what we look at, how we think and look at it. It provides basic concepts and directs us to the important questions. It suggests ways for us to make sense of research data. Theory enables us to connect a single study to the immense base of knowledge to which other researchers contribute. It helps a researcher see the forest instead of just a single tree. Theory increases a researcher's awareness of interconnections and of the broader significance of data (Neuman, 1997).
Theories are, by their nature, abstract and provide a selective and one-sided account of the many-sided concrete social world. The theory allows the researcher to make links between the abstract and the concrete, the theoretical and the empirical, thought statements and observational statements etc.
Social theory informs our understanding of issues, which, in turn, assists us in making research decisions and making sense of the world. Theories play an important role in the development of the research questions and the goals of the study as well as throughout the entire process designing and engaging the research (Ravitch & Riggan, 2012).
We can examine issues of race and ethnicity, which is my point of interest through three major sociological perspectives: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. For this discussion, I will only develop the Conflict theory as an example of a theory in Race and ethnicity.
Under conflict theory, in order to hold onto their distinctive social status, power, and possessions, privileged groups are invested in seeing that no competition for resources arises from minority groups. The powerful may even be ready to resort to extreme acts of violence against others to protect their interests. Thus, members of underprivileged groups may retaliate with violence in an attempt to improve their circumstances.
Conflict theories are often applied to inequalities of gender, social class, education, race, and ethnicity. A conflict theory perspective of U.S. history would examine the numerous past and current struggles between the white ruling class and racial and ethnic minorities, noting specific conflicts that have arisen when the dominant group perceived a threat from the minority group. In the late nineteenth century, the rising power of black Americans after the Civil War resulted in draconian Jim Crow laws that severely limited black political and social.
For example, Vivien Thomas (1910-1985), the black surgical technician who helped develop the groundbreaking surgical technique that saves the lives of "blue babies" was classified as a janitor for many years, and paid as such, despite the fact that he was conducting complicated surgical experiments (Allen & Jewell,2002).
The best way of reducing and eliminating conflicts and prejudices between groups is through cooperation. Conflicting groups need to cooperate by laying aside their individual interests and learning to work together for shared goals.
References
Allen, W.R & Jewell, J.O(2002). A backward glance forward: Past, present, and future perspectives on historically Black colleges and universities - The Review of Higher Education, Retrieved from: http//:www. muse.jhu.edu.
Neuman, W.L .(1997). Social Research methods. Qualitative and quantitative approaches.Boston, London Toronto: Allyn & Bacon.
Ravitch, S.M.,& Riggan, M.(2012).Reason and rigor: how conceptual framework guides research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.