METHODOLOGY OF THE RESEARCH OF SOCIAL COHESION IN CONTAMPORARY FOREIGN SCIENTIFIC DISCOURSE

Abstract

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.