Are Sociology papers different from papers you will be writing in other courses? Of course not! All
papers require the same basic steps. Perhaps the biggest challenge in writing a paper for your Sociology
class is in identifying the evidence (evidence based research) and understanding the arguments that
result from reading research results based on the structure of human society.
Sociologists look for answers in human interaction. For example, you might be interested in learning
why so many women are delaying having children. If you are a sociologist, you'll want to observe and
record the behaviors of women that have delayed childbirth. You'll want to survey them regarding the
reasons that caused them to delay having children. You‘ll want to gather quantitive (numerical)
data, as opposed to qualitative (feelings; good, bad, nice) data. You'll want to understand their
childbearing behavior in the context of their lives and their society. Your arguments will be formed
after you examine the evidence you have uncovered, and checked to make sure your evidence
meets the standards of scientific research.
Before You Write (Research)
It is always a good idea to pick a topic that interests you. Educators say that students write better
papers when they can choose a topic that excites them. Often you will be able to choose your own topic,
but, many times your topic will be assigned to you by a professor. After you have a general idea
for your paper, do preliminary research. First search the Internet for information that might lead
you to definitions or to leads on the best researchers in your field, read articles from peer reviewed
journals that you have found using the library’s online data bases. Find some books on the subject
in the library catalog and scan the tables of contents for information you will want to use.
You will probably discover that you need to narrow your topic. This step is tough for most
students. Remember: you're not alone! A Librarian or your Professor may be the best resource for
you to contact about narrowing your topic. A Librarian can show you how to narrow your search and
give you pointers to sources you may have overlooked. The Librarian will also tell you talk to your
professor before you start writing so that you are both “on the same page.”
A Survey?
If you are going to perform a survey as part of your research put a lot, repeat, a lot, of thought
into the survey design. Be sure you have good question(s). Forming a question is tricky,
because your question can't be too broad or too vague. Remember, you are looking for quantative
data, data that can be manipulated mathematically. For example, the question: "What makes the
time right for you to have a child?" will draw a wide variety of responses that you may not have
thought of. These unexpected responses will be impossible to quantify.
How do you focus a question? First, consider your hypothesis. What assumptions do you have
about child bearing age? Perhaps you hope to argue that women equate happiness with raising
children in their 20s rather than with their career based achievements at that time in their lives.
Once you're clear about your hypothesis, you can begin to design the specific questions you need
to prove it.
Don't ask too many questions! A few focused questions are better than many generalized ones.
Be sure you choose a sample size that's large enough to give you a good quantity of responses
(remember not everyone will answer your survey). Give quite a bit of thought to the composition
of your sample group. Is it racially balanced? Be sure to make note of how you randomized the
sample. You did remember to randomize your sample. Didn’t you?
Remember you will be using human subjects in your research (survey): if you are conducting
research where "human subjects" are involved, you must get approval from the IRB, before you
start to collect data. For more information on this process, consult your professor.
Writing Advice
Review the Literature! To "review" literature just means that you must read it carefully, summarize
it, and evaluate it according to sociological criteria.
- Discover the author's thesis.
- How the thesis might be placed in the context of sociological discussions.
Evaluating materials can actually be fun! You'll want to develop answers to the following questions
for each article you review:
- How thorough is the research presented?
- Is the methodology sound?
- Is an argument presented that is clear and convincing?
- List the specific strengths of the argument.
- Does the author fail to prove his/her argument? List specific points!
- Does this work make a significant contribution to the field?
After you have reviewed all the articles you want to use ask yourself the following questions:
- Do these articles agree on basic points?
- What areas do they disagree on?
- Which article has the best methodology, makes the most convincing argument, and made you feel interested in the subject?
- Which work or works seem to make the most significant contributions to the field, and why?
If you consider these questions carefully, you'll have more than adequate material for your review
of the literature.
Once you have written your literature review you can start to write your own Summary (Conclusions).
Now you can analyze the arguments presented by the author put them into your own words (remembering
to cite when required). Use all the tools at your disposal. Ask yourself if the writer's arguments, and
methods used, serve to prove or disprove his/her theses. Critique the theoretical models used by the
writer, show their strengths and weaknesses. Ask pointed (not general) questions of the materials
you have read. These questions will lead you to a position of your own – with which you will end your paper.
Remember to “Spell Check” and “Grammar Check” your paper! Also remember to have someone else
read it before you submit it because many grammar and spelling errors will get by your computer.
Good Luck,
Gary
