ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to bridge the gap between theory and research by formulating a research agenda for examining the neocolonial model. It discusses the some key issues that arise in developing a methodological design. It describes the sample, sampling procedures and operationalization of variables for a pilot study used to gather preliminary data to test several of the theoretical assumptions of the perspective. Two criteria for the sample are race and class variability. While the two independent samples have sufficient variability in regards to social class, racial variability is inadequate since Washington High School has few White youths in its student population. Finally, the measurement of the majority of the variables in the neocolonial model requires the collection of self-report data. Self-report data suffer from a number of limitations which include accurate reporting and lower levels of reliability and validity for minority, male, and lower-class subgroups.
