Posted: November 13th, 2015

PART 4: FINAL RESEARCH PAPER.

PART 4: FINAL RESEARCH PAPER.

Introduction:

Provide general background on your social problem. Explain why you consider it to be a social rather personal problem. Use one citation that highlights the nature of your social problem, and explain how it will be used as a connecting thread between the remaining sections of your paper. Define the terms “sociology” and “sociological imagination” and apply them to your social problem. Explain the value of using sociology and your sociological imagination to understand social life as it relates to your social problem. Cite any sources you use (direct quotes or paraphrases) in APA format. The last sentence of your introduction will be your research question.

Research Question:

Your research question will be a concise and narrow (one sentence, in the general form of IV->DV) explanation of the relationship that you will be exploring in the rest of your paper. Remember, your research question will be included in your paper as the last sentence of your introduction.

Literature Review: Conduct a review of relevant academic literature pertaining to your social problem. Compare and contrast key arguments and theories from similar sources, and analyze and explain key differences/conflicts between dissimilar sources. Cite any sources you use (direct quotes or paraphrases) in APA format.

Data and Methods: Show how relevant, widespread or significant your selected social problem is by reviewing the data and method of data collection in your academically relevant sources. Include information about, and your analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of, each of the following from all of your relevant sources: sample size, choice of methodological approach, and important findings. Cite any sources you use (direct quotes or paraphrases) in APA format.

Theory: Consider your social problem through the lenses of the three central sociological theoretical paradigms – functionalism, social conflict, and symbolic interactionism. Which one best explains your social problem? Discuss the best fit, then compare and contrast this perspective to the other two paradigms. Remember that a well-argued theory section not only advances one position, it also argues against the other core theoretical perspectives.

Conclusion: Restate your thesis statement, and express any conclusions you have reached throughout the course of preparing your research paper. This is the section in which you can express your opinions about the subject. Include ideas for how future research into this social problem may be conducted. Discuss potential applications to policy that may impact the social problem of focus (e.g. changes in law, institutional procedures).

Final research papers will be 4-5 pages of content in length (not counting the cover or references pages), and will include seven (7) academic peer-reviewed sources.

MECHANICS: In constructing your project, be sure to follow these instructions:

1. Use APA format. That means proper punctuation and style for in-text citations, and appropriately formatted references pages noting all sources of information contained in your project (text, books, the internet, class notes, or other sources), whether directly quoted or indirectly paraphrased. Running headers and abstract pages are encouraged, but not required, for this project.
2. Cover page. You MUST always include a cover page with the following items: a creative/informative title, your name, instructor name, course name and section number (SOC2000-xx), and project due date.
3. This project is to be typewritten, with one inch margins, page numbering (except the cover page), font size 12, and double line spacing. Appropriate spelling, punctuation, and grammar are considered in the grading of this project.

ASSISTANCE: The instructor and graduate teaching assistant are available to students for a general review of assignments for completeness and satisfying project requirements prior to the due date of the project. HOWEVER… Questions about the use of APA format and other technical writing issues are to be directed to the WSU Writing Center (775-4186), WSU Writers Hotline (775-2158), and/or style manuals (available on-line on the WSU library homepage, and available in hard copy in the reference area of the WSU library). THIS PROJECT REQUIRES APA FORMATTING AND CITATION STYLE. A link to the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University, one of the most up-to-date APA style guides available, can be found in Pilot.