SOC - Sociology and Social Sciences (WO)

Begin by selecting a topic.  Your initial topic can be broad (e.g., socialization, culture, class...).  You will narrow your topic later, so it is okay if you only have vague ideas now. Your professor or a librarian can help you explore topics, or you can see these lists of ideas:

Narrow your interest and decide what question your paper will answer.  It seems counterintuitive, but a narrow topic is actually easier to research than a broad one. 

X	Socialization
X	Class
	What socialization mechanisms help college students form a group identity?

To narrow your topic, try phrasing it as a question.

X	poverty
X	technology
	Would raising the minimum wage reduce the gender pay gap?

And answer the Five Ws:

• Who?
• What?
• When?
• Where?
• Why? / How?

Try with an Example!

Let's start with a very broad topic:  Technology

First, turn it into a question:  How does technology affect society?

This is a good start, but the question is very broad.  Try using the 5 Ws!

• Who?  Children, teens, toddlers, adults, low income families ...
• What?  Smartphones, Internet, social media, robots, online education ...
• When?  Today, five years in the future, in 1945 ...
• Where?  US, worldwide, Pakistan, rural areas, Virginia, Prince William County
• Why / How?  Causes and effects

By answering these questions, you can decide whether you want to write about:

1.  Does using smartphones and tablets hurt toddlers' brain development?
2.  How can the government prevent job loss due to the rise of AI and automation in the tech industry?
3.  How does limited internet access impact high school students in rural areas?

You won't always address all of the five Ws, but using a few will help narrow your focus.

Once you answer the 5 Ws, we can finally put together a great research question, but make sure that it passes this final test.

A good research question is...

• Specific

Only answer one main research question in your paper. It seems counterintuitive, but a narrow topic is actually easier to research than a broad one.  Instead of mentioning many ideas briefly, focus on just a few points and develop them well.

• Interesting

Consider the assignment an opportunity to learn more about something that interests you.  Research is easier and more enjoyable when you pick a topic that interests you.

• Unique

Good research tackles new, unusual topics. Instead of "marijuana legalization", try "How should states use tax revenue generated by legalized marijuana?"