Document Type
Research Article
Academic Discipline
Sociology
Abstract
Access to academic resources is influenced by socioeconomic status. Based on Bourdieu’s concept of economic and cultural capital and Lareau’s theory of social inequality, it is hypothesized that students from high socioeconomic status would access academic resources at a significantly higher rate. This hypothesis was evaluated in a survey of 120 college students. Basic hypothesis testing showed no significant differences. Advanced hypothesis testing, however, found a significant difference for males and undergraduate seniors. The results suggest a trend that students from lower socioeconomic families access academic resources at a higher rate than students from higher socioeconomic families. A more diverse and sufficient sample would be needed to further test the hypothesis. Further studies should focus on students with the same GPA in different socioeconomic classes and take into consideration other factors contributing to the rate at which students access academic resources.
Recommended Citation
Zimmerman, Kristin. "Use of Academic Resources Among Different Socioeconomic Classes." Sacred Heart University Scholar 1, no. 1 (Fall 2017): 11-23. Available at: http://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/shuscholar/vol1/iss1/3/