Winter 2023
ASOC310 Social Research Methods
Paper Length: 700-1000 words
Assignment 1: Research Questions, Propositions, and Major Concepts
At the beginning of a research project, a researcher makes a number of important decisions. Not only do researchers have to decide the subject of their analysis, they have to determine what specific aspect of the subject they would like to focus on, and learn about the research that already exists on the topic. This way a researcher can ensure that they will be making a unique contribution to existing knowledge. For this assignment, you will begin your research project. You will identify your research topic, generate three research questions, develop specific propositions related to your research questions, and identify a collection of journal articles related to your topic.
In the beginning of this paper, briefly state your research topic.
Your research topic must be related to student life at UAlbany.
Your research topic must connect with the three research areas agreed upon in class. The three research areas selected for this class are crime and deviance, health, and gender.
Now, generate 3 research questions related to one of the general topics specified above which can be addressed by asking questions of people. These research questions should all address the explanation of a single outcome (dependent variable).
Remember: All research questions must be able to be assessed by survey questions.
Note: We cannot ask about illegal activity or drug use in our survey questions. Opinions on these topics are fine, but actual illegal activity cannot be studied.
Note: All three research questions must have the same dependent variable (outcome variable). If you have an idea that involves multiple dependent variables, ask the instructor for permission to pursue this idea.
Note: At least one of your research questions must include one of the following base/demographic concepts, race, class, gender, and age, as an independent variable.
Examples of research questions: In this example, the dependent variable is recycling behavior, and the independent variables are gender, age, and political affiliation.
“Is there a relationship between gender and recycling behavior?”
“Is age related to recycling behavior?”
“Does political affiliation influence recycling behavior?”
3. For each of your research questions, develop a specific proposition, each of which states a specific
relationship between the 2 concepts in each of the research questions. (So, you will have 3 research questions and 3 corresponding propositions.)
Examples of Propositions (derived from the example research questions above)
“Females are more likely to recycle than males.”
“Younger people recycle more often than older people.”
“People who are more politically conservative tend to be less likely to recycle.”
4. In developing these research questions and propositions, you should refer to a minimum of 3 relevant
scholarly journal articles during your literature review. A literature review consists of citing other research articles in order to solidify your argument. For instance, you can cite a study that finds females are more likely to recycle than males to strengthen the validity of your proposition. The purpose of a literature review is to help build your argument; it is not a summary of other articles. Only cite other articles as they relate to your argument. You can read the beginning of academic articles for examples of literature reviews. You can also consult your instructor or look at the example assignment 1 posted on Carmen.
Finding Articles: There are two ways to identify relevant literature. First, you can seek out and cite other literature that has posed the same or similar research questions and/or propositions as your own. Or, you can identify literature that is useful for developing specific ideas and research questions. You may also refer to “gaps” in the existing literature. (However, do not try to argue that there is NO literature on your general topic; that is very unlikely to be the case). If you are having trouble finding articles, please contact your TA or Instructor for direction.
At least two of your sources must come from one of these journals: American Sociological Review, American Journal of Sociology, Social Forces, Social Problems, Criminal Justice and Behavior, Journal of Marriage and Family, Journal of Gender Studies, Gender and Society, Criminology, Demography, Sociology of Education, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Social Science and Medicine, The Sociological Quarterly, Sociological Perspectives, Crime and Public Policy, Work and Occupations, Crime and Delinquency, British Journal of Criminology, Journal of Quantitative Criminology, and Social Science Research.
5. When citing other sources, you must use the in-text citation style (ASA format) presented in class
and you must use the style discussed in class for your reference page. In addition, remember that for each source cited in your text, it must be included in your reference page; conversely, each source from your reference page must be cited in your paper.
-Note: the ASA Citation guide is available on Blackboard, and, as a reference, the citations in the syllabus are in proper ASA format.
6. You are allowed to use one quote per assignment. Research articles feature very few quotations as proper literature reviews consist of concise paraphrasing of other articles. Make sure to proofread all of your work as grammar will count for 10% of your grade on this assignment.
Recommended paper format: In the introductory paragraph, you should explain the topic you are studying, and why it is important to study this topic. You can also mention why it is important to study this topic with college students. You should start each of the next three paragraphs with a research question, then discuss why you think a particular concept may be related to/influence your outcome. Discuss other literature; similar research questions other studies have posed, and/or what they were looking for or found. Conclude each of these paragraphs with the proposition that corresponds with the research question. Because you will have three research questions and propositions, you should have three well-developed paragraphs in the middle of the assignment in addition to an introduction and conclusion paragraph.
Requirements:
Formatting: The paper will be 700 to 1000 words in Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced, and with 1 inch margins.
Submission: You will submit a hard copy at the beginning of class AND an electronic version to
the Blackboard by the beginning of class on the day the assignment is due. If you have printer problems or you cannot make it to class, you may submit a version to Blackboard and receive a 5% deduction. Please consult the syllabus in regard to the course policy on late papers.
Plagiarism: Your paper will not be plagiarized in any way. This means that your paper will be exclusively your work, it will not be fabricated in any way, and all work will be produced specifically for this assignment. Plagiarism includes making minor alterations to large chunks of text, and submitting it as your own work. A large portion of this assignment is to demonstrate that you understand the material, that you can apply the material in the real world, and that you are capable of thinking and writing about sociological concepts and processes. Plagiarizing the work of others does not do any of these things.