suppose your instuctor has asked you to do a study of homessness
OK. How do you plan to undertake a study of homelessness?
observations
Observations is a start and a way to get personally involved. These observations can be in the form of volunteering at a meal site and a homeless shelter.
You'd also need to read studies analyzing homeless people. How many are drug addicts or mentally challenged? How many lost their homes because of being laid off? What are other reasons that people are homeless?