Carry out strategic research or policy research on a social change

carry out strategic research or policy research on a social change topic that is of interest to you, using methods and/or databases introduced in the class.

Topic statement:
Brief statement of topic, planned scope of research, data sources and methods
Written Report:
Written report of research and findings. Your analysis should be at 1500-2000 words in length. Typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, with 1” margins. .pdf, .docx, or .rtf file format. If your project contains significant non-writing elements such as mapping, numerical tabulations or mathematical calculations, consult with me to see whether the written length can be decreased accordingly.
Selection of Topic:
The topic is up to you. You can identify and research a social change issue of your choosing. You can choose between two general options of types of research as follows.

OPTION A: STRATEGIC RESEARCH

Strategic research is here defined according to Si Kahn: “getting the information necessary to make good decisions about strategy and tactics” in a campaign for social change.

Strategic Research examples:
-Work on segments of a corporate campaign research profile of the kind we did for TriMas/Monogram Aerospace in week 6 & 7

-Draw up a power map for a local social change issue

-Map a workplace or employer

-Examine health and safety violations by a major employer or industry

-Examine political contributions to a political candidate or issue

-Examine political contributions by a particular company or industry

-Examine property holdings of a major landlord

If you choose the strategic research option, you can choose your own subject, or one of the below topics that I have identified based on research needs of community partners, some of whom have spoken as guest lecturers in our class.

Filipino Migrant Center
Investigating Wage Theft Violations by caregiving agencies across the South Bay (Long Beach, Carson, Torrance, San Pedro, etc.)

California Faculty Association
Investigating financial aspects of the CSU such as: historical trends in faculty and administration pay and tuition; campus debt; contracts for food service and construction

Mask off Maersk
Investigating shipping company Maersk’s role in weapons transport to Israel.

OPTION B: POLICY RESEARCH

Policy research is a systematic inquiry into the existing or potential impacts of public policy options such as laws and regulations. If you choose this option, you will gather and assess existing research and arguments regarding policy solutions for a particular social issue.

Policy Research examples:
-Evaluate competing arguments as to the impacts of an affordable housing policy

-Evaluate competing arguments as to the impacts of an increase in the minimum wage

-Evaluate competing arguments about policy on workplace heat conditions

Full Answer Section

       
  • Power mapping: Analyzing the power dynamics within the caregiving industry, identifying key actors, and understanding their influence on the issue of wage theft.

Written Report:

1. Introduction:

Wage theft is a widespread issue in the caregiving industry, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like Filipino migrant workers. This research project aims to examine the prevalence and nature of wage theft violations by caregiving agencies in the South Bay region, focusing on its impact on Filipino migrant workers.

2. Literature Review:

  • Wage Theft: The literature highlights the pervasiveness of wage theft, its economic and social consequences, and the challenges faced by vulnerable workers in seeking justice.

  • Caregiving Industry: Research shows the caregiving industry's reliance on immigrant workers, often facing exploitative labor practices, including wage theft, poor working conditions, and lack of access to legal resources.

  • Filipino Migrant Workers: Research explores the unique vulnerabilities of Filipino migrant workers, including language barriers, cultural differences, and reliance on agencies for employment.

3. Data Collection and Analysis:

  • FMC Data Analysis: Examining FMC data will identify patterns of wage theft, including common types of violations, frequency of occurrence, and specific caregiving agencies implicated.

  • Public Data Analysis: Analyzing data on registered caregiving agencies, labor laws, and legal cases will provide context for the prevalence and nature of violations in the South Bay region.

  • Interviews: Interviews with Filipino migrant workers will provide firsthand accounts of their experiences with wage theft, revealing the impact on their lives and highlighting the specific challenges they face. Interviews with FMC representatives and labor law experts will provide insights into the legal framework and potential solutions.

  • Power Mapping: A power map will be created to identify key actors in the caregiving industry, including agencies, government agencies, unions, and advocacy groups, and their respective influence on the issue of wage theft. This map will help understand the challenges and opportunities for enacting change.

4. Findings:

  • Prevalence of Wage Theft: The research will quantify the extent of wage theft in the South Bay caregiving industry, highlighting the number of cases, types of violations, and the financial impact on workers.

  • Power Dynamics: The power map will reveal the imbalances in power within the caregiving industry, illustrating the influence of large agencies, potential complicity of government agencies, and the challenges faced by workers seeking redress.

  • Barriers to Justice: The research will identify the barriers faced by workers in reporting wage theft and accessing legal resources, including language barriers, fear of retaliation, and limited awareness of their rights.

5. Recommendations:

  • Increased Enforcement: Advocating for greater enforcement of labor laws and increasing fines for wage theft violations to deter agencies from engaging in this practice.

  • Legal Assistance: Providing legal aid and resources to Filipino migrant workers to help them navigate the legal system and understand their rights.

  • Worker Empowerment: Training workers about their labor rights, encouraging collective action, and fostering a culture of awareness regarding wage theft.

  • Collaboration with Government Agencies: Building partnerships with government agencies like the Department of Labor to improve oversight, investigation, and enforcement.

  • Community Organizing: Building community-based organizations to provide support, advocacy, and legal aid to Filipino migrant workers.

6. Conclusion:

Wage theft is a systemic issue that disproportionately affects vulnerable workers like Filipino migrant caregivers in the South Bay region. This strategic research aims to shed light on the complexities of this problem, identify key actors and their influence, and propose solutions to address this critical social injustice. By collaborating with stakeholders and advocating for systemic change, we can work towards a more equitable and just caregiving industry that protects the rights and well-being of all workers.

 

Sample Answer

       

Strategic Research: Investigating Wage Theft Violations by Caregiving Agencies in the South Bay

Topic Statement:

This strategic research project investigates wage theft violations by caregiving agencies operating across the South Bay region of California, specifically focusing on Filipino migrant workers. The research aims to identify patterns of violation, map the power dynamics within the industry, and uncover potential solutions to address this issue.

Data Sources and Methods:

  • Filipino Migrant Center (FMC) data: Data from the FMC on reported wage theft cases, including worker testimonies, documentation of violations, and employer information.

  • Publicly available data: Data on registered caregiving agencies in the South Bay region, labor laws, and relevant legal cases.

  • Online resources: News articles, reports, and academic research on wage theft in the caregiving industry.

  • Interviews: Conducting interviews with Filipino migrant workers, FMC representatives, and experts in labor law.