Methodology of the research of social cohesion in contamporary foreign scientific discourse

author: Maksym Kolesnichenko

Urgency of the research. Social cohesion is an important factor in the social development of сontemporary countries, especially ethnically diverse ones. In itself, social cohesion is a complex multidimensional phenomenon, therefore its influence on the development of societies is multivector. For the effectiveness of the study of the phenomenon itself and its effects on the social environment, it is important to choose an adequate methodology. Foreign scientists, studying social cohesion for a long time, formed the basic principles of platforms for its research, which makes it possible to understand the contents of the phenomenon, its dynamics and role in the social processes of certain countries. Based on the above, it is appropriate to get acquainted with the key points of this methodology and to determine the degree of its validity in assessing the current state of social cohesion and its application in the further study of the phenomenon, in particular, the prospects for the Ukrainian scientific space.

Target setting. In order to clarify the foundations of the methodology that is characteristic of foreign scientific discourse, we will focus on the methods used by Western researchers and determine, if possible, their effectiveness in determining the role of social cohesion in general or certain aspects of it for modern social development.

Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. We note that compared to the number of works dedicated to the phenomenon of “social cohesion” in general, their list, which is specifically related to research methodology, is not so impressive. This experience was formed by the works of such researchers as Caroline Beauvais, Jane Jenson ‑ they analyzed the state of research on the phenomenon of social cohesion in Canada and the possibilities of its measurement; as R. Berger-Schmidt, who singled out the principles of measuring social cohesion; like Leif Braaten, who proposed a multidimensional model for elucidating group cohesion; as a group of scientists ‑ Georgi Dragolov, Zsóáfia Ignácz, Jan Lorenz, Jan Delhey, Klaus Boehnke ‑ who, comparing the application of various methods of measuring social cohesion in different countries, derived several generalizing principles of this measurement; as experts in social cohesion research methodology Xavier Fonseca, Stephan Lukosch, Frances Brazier, who reviewed its most common concepts based on numerous international publications; as David Schiefer David and Yolanda van der Noll, who proposed measuring social cohesion based on three key indicators: social relations, identification with a geographical unit, orientation to the common good; as Fernando Rajulton, Zenaida Ravanera, and Beaujot Roderic presented models for measuring social cohesion based on summarizing data from the Canadian National Survey etc.

The research objective. Relying on the works of foreign scientists of the phenomenon of “social cohesion”, primarily from the USA and Western European countries, who have accumulated a sufficiently thorough experience in this area, reproduce the course of scientific discourse regarding the methodology of researching the phenomenon. Pay attention to certain methods that have proven to be productive in the study of social cohesion and the use of which opens up new opportunities in the study of various aspects of the phenomenon.

The statement of basic materials is grounded on the analysis of the key points of the social cohesion research methodology, which we highlight in the works of foreign scientists, partially listed above (see: Analysis of recent research and publications). Attention is focused on the clarification of the content of social cohesion, on the application of this or that technique to determine its main areas and indicators of its measurement. A special place is given to the structural approach to the study of the functioning of social cohesion in certain socio-economic and socio-cultural contexts. At the same time, emphasis is placed on: secondary data analysis, structural equation modeling, confirmatory approach, factor analysis, reflective measurement model, formative measurement model.

Conclusions. Our analysis provides grounds for the assertion that productive methodological approaches to studying the phenomenon of “social cohesion” are the following: 1) social cohesion is a complex multidimensional sociocultural construct; 2) methods used by philosophy, sociology, political science, and economics should be involved in its study and the formation of a holistic understanding of the phenomenon; 3) social cohesion is a construct that is applicable as a tool for developing effective policies in a particular area of public life; 4) standardization of measurements is necessary  adequately assess the degree of social cohesion in a particular society; 5) a comprehensive measurement of social cohesion is necessary to penetrate into its contents and establish general patterns and features of the functioning of social cohesion.

Keywords: social cohesion, research methodology, methodology parameters, structural approach, comprehensive measurement of social cohesion, sociocultural perspective.

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