1) Select a topic –
2) Define the problem (operational definitions- precise ways to measure the variables)-
3) Review of the Literature
4) Formulate a hypothesis
5) Choose a research method (interviewing)
6) Collect data
7) Analyze the results
8) Share the results
- How to Prepare to Write a Sociology Research Paper
- Choose your Topic
When choosing your topic, choose a topic that interests you, that sparks your interest and that you are curious about.
Some Examples:
You can choose to interview your grandmother, for example, and find out about her experiences in different eras or if she is not from the U.S., her initial experience as an immigrant. (This is called an ethnographic study).
You can study about the relationships between your employers and the employees at your workplace and analyze and the social structure that takes place within this structure.
You can interview someone that is a member of the “Sandwich Generation” and the struggles they encounter as a caregiver for both their older parents and their own families.
Pseudonym (alternative name)-
You should also during this time review the literature to assist you in narrowing your topic. You should go on to the Library website in order to assist you. JStor is a good sociology journal but you can use any sources which you like. Please remember that you MUST cite throughout your paper and you MUST submit your own original work. Plagiarism is taken very seriously.
Although sociologists engage in a variety of different methods, since we are an intro course-for the methodology for this paper, let’s use interviewing. Remember, to obtain permission from your respondent (inform them of your study), and your respondent must be 18 or over (so they can legally provide consent).
- Writing the Paper
This paper should be 5 pages in length. This does not include the cover page or the Works Cited.
The contents of the paper should be headed as follows: