major theoretical paradigms

The structural-functional paradigm, symbolic-interaction paradigm, social-conflict paradigm, and postmodern views paradigm are the four main theoretical paradigms in sociology.

This paradigm aids in identifying and explaining how various social structures function together. The social structures of the community have an impact on how people behave. In order to be stable and have a well-organized system, society adopts structural-functionalism as its guiding philosophy. As an illustration, the family, educational, and economic systems influence how people behave.

This is done to draw attention to the method that members of the community employ to build their reality. It shows how people connect with one another and with one another in groups. As such, it aims at the sociological study of the interactions of people on daily basis as they exist in the society.

Social-conflict paradigm

The paradigm is widely used by researchers as the key means of identifying the key social inequalities. Conflict depicts the struggle to control and have power over the resources. In the society, gender, race, and class are the main factors, which lead towards the lack of equality and social change. As such, they contribute significantly towards conflict development in society.

Postmodern perspectives paradigm

This paradigm claims that the other three have not been successful in giving a clear explanation of modern life in the society. There is no truth, which is overarching. Further, generalization of social functions is not enough to explain the behavior of an individual.

Selected paradigm

The paradigm that I relate to is the social-conflict. I focus on attending college so that I can gain education and skills, which will improve my financial power in addressing different facets of social activities in the community. Further, college education is the basic foundation to have financial power and strength in addressing social issues and problems being experienced in the community.

Research method

The research method I would use to examine why adult students return to college is the interview questions. Using both unstructured and structured interview questions will help in gathering sufficient data from this population on their college perspectives.

The benefit is that it would help in understanding the social pattern and perspectives of college education while the flaw is that the participants could provide information, which is based on the influence from other people in society.