Why Do Bursik and Sampson and Groves Stress the Need

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The Answer is Bursik and Sampson and Groves stress the need to measure social disorganization in a direct rather than an indirect manner because they believe that direct measures provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the concept. Direct measures involve directly observing and assessing the characteristics of a community, such as poverty levels, unemployment rates, and residential instability, which are believed to contribute to social disorganization. On the other hand, indirect measures rely on proxy indicators, such as crime rates or school dropout rates, to infer the level of social disorganization in a community.

Studies using direct versus indirect means of measuring social disorganization can indeed turn out differently. Jang and Johnson's study on adolescent substance abuse used direct measures of social disorganization, such as poverty rates and residential instability, and found a significant association between these factors and substance abuse among adolescents. On the other hand, Silver's study in Chicago used indirect measures, such as crime rates and school dropout rates, and found a weaker or inconsistent relationship between these indicators and social disorganization.

Overall, Bursik and Sampson and Groves argue that direct measures provide a more nuanced and accurate understanding of social disorganization, as they capture the underlying structural factors that contribute to the breakdown of social control in a community. In contrast, indirect measures may oversimplify or misrepresent the complex dynamics at play. Therefore, they advocate for the use of direct measures in research and policy efforts aimed at addressing social disorganization and its consequences.

Why Do Bursik and Sampson and Groves Stress the Need

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