Writing a good sociology paper depends on the quality of your sociology research topics. Whether you want to focus on social relationships, the development of our society, human health, or socioeconomic issues, you need to pick the most relevant sociology research questions.
In this article, we will present some interesting sociology research paper topics, as well as provide you with a few examples of sociology research questions that will hopefully inspire your next paper.
What Makes a Strong Sociology Research Topic?
A strong sociology research topic needs to be current, relevant, and interesting for you. Society and its challenges are ever-changing so your topic needs to be up to date. You also need to make sure your sociology topic is relevant and interesting, especially to you. Writing about something you like always ensures better research and outcomes.
Tips for Choosing a Sociology Research Topic
- Brainstorm. The first step to finding the perfect sociology research paper topic is to brainstorm. Write down all of your ideas, check out topics from previous classes, and look for other ideas online.
- Write a list of keywords. If there are a few topics that interest you more than others, write down a list of keywords that relate to them. This might give you some ideas for an even more specific sociology topic and help you come up with relevant research questions.
- Choose the topic that inspires you most. If you choose a topic that interests and inspires you, chances are you’ll end up with deeper research, a high level of detail, and a paper that you’re proud of.
- Do bibliographical research. Bibliographical research is how you find out if your topic is current and relevant. You’ll want to know exactly what’s been said on your topic and what relevant questions have been previously addressed on the matter.
- Identify the main questions that need addressing. When choosing your sociological topic, make sure to think about different questions you would like to address with your research. This might help you determine whether or not the topic in question is right for you.
What’s the Difference Between a Research Topic and a Research Question?
A research topic constitutes a specific niche or area that’s part of a broader general theme. In sociology, there are several different research topics to explore. An example of a relevant and current sociological research topic could be the implementation of gender studies for children.
A research question stems out of the research topic as an issue or problem that needs to be addressed by research. In this case, an example of a sociology research question could be “Should children be exposed to gender studies from a young age?”.
How to Create Strong Sociology Research Questions
Strong sociological research questions take social issues and examine their social meaning and patterns. Once you pick a topic that you like, try narrowing it down to one or two manageable questions that you would like to explore and make sure they’re sociological in nature. The goal is to try and find patterns and meaning for social issues in groups.
Top 10 Sociology Research Paper Topics
1. The Role of Social Media in Today’s Social Movements
The widespread usage of social media has the potential to mobilize the masses and accelerate recruitment for social movements. Nearly everyone has access to social media. This means that the dissemination of important information occurs rather fast, reaching a very large audience.
2. The Effects of Divorce on Children
Children who have gone through the divorce of their parents may be prone to experience some issues regarding their behavior, social relationships, and mental health. Commonly, these children may display deviant behavior, anger issues, trouble communicating, anxiety, and other issues.
3. The Role of Religious Education in a Modern Society
In a world that’s becoming less religious with time, religious education might seem like a waste of time. However, these types of classes can still be helpful for personal development and provide insight into the different cultures and beliefs that surround us.
4. The Association Between Social Media Usage and Depression in Children
Social media platforms, such as Instagram, can be toxic to the mental health of children and teenagers. Having to grow up in this Internet era is causing children to have depression, anxiety, body image issues, and a lack of social skills. Interesting research questions regarding this topic might try to understand how to reduce social media’s negative effects on mental health.
5. The Phenomenon of Bullying and Aggression Among Teenagers
Acting out is a part of life for most growing teenagers, but recurrent violent behavior among teens might be caused by other external factors. Being victims of violence themselves, bullying, and substance abuse are only a few of the factors behind the aggressive behavior of teenagers today.
6. Factors That Contribute to Abusive Marriages
There are several factors that might contribute to abusive marriages, such as adhering to strict gender roles and family values, abusing substances, and witnessing violence at home. This topic makes way for many other interesting research topics like knowing what causes someone to be an abuser or what major signs indicate a relationship can turn violent.
7. Patterns of Human Behavior Online
The field of digital sociology focuses on the social implications of digital media use. This field of study tries to understand the patterns of human behavior behind new social networks, virtual communities, and cyber crime. It is also responsible for trying to predict people’s personalities through their pattern of online behavior.
8. The Association Between Social Class and Child Obesity
Social class, or socioeconomic status, is one of the many factors associated with childhood obesity. Exploring this sociology research topic could lead to interesting questions regarding ways to combat childhood obesity in low-income families, for example.
9. The Impact of Infertility on a Married Couple
Infertility is a medical condition that affects many couples and is surrounded by heavy social implications. It can negatively impact a couple’s life by causing emotional distress, frustration, low-self esteem, and feelings of worthlessness. Possible research questions might aim to understand why this still happens and what can be done.
10. The Impact of Bullying on Mental Health
We might think of bullying as something that happens during school years, but its repercussions may follow those who were afflicted for the rest of their lives. Bullying can affect mental health by causing anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, agoraphobia, and more.
Other Examples of Sociology Research Topics & Questions
Sociology Research Topics
- The history of food culture in different nations
- The impact of mainstream media on human behavior
- Cross-racial adoption effects on children and the society
- The challenges of health equity in rural areas
- The impact of social media on social relationships
Sociology Research Questions
- How can we overcome the stigma against mental disorders?
- Should children be exposed to gender studies from a young age?
- How did common gender stereotypes appear and how truthful are they?
- Should sexual education be a part of school programs?
- Should ethical values be reconsidered throughout the healthcare system?
Choosing the Right Sociology Research Topic
Coming up with strong ideas for sociology research doesn’t need to be hard. As long as you keep up with current and relevant trends and choose a focus that inspires you, you’ll have the right topic idea in no time.
You can choose your sociology research topics on social relationships, issues among teenagers, or deviant behavior. What matters is that you dig deep into the topic to extract answers to important questions.
Sociology Research Topics FAQ
There are several things you can do with a degree in sociology. Most sociology majors tend to pursue careers as sociologists, research analysts, human services educators, and social or community service managers.
Yes, a sociology career is worth it. Sociologists earn a mean annual wage of $93,420, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their occupational outlook is projected to grow by five percent, between 2020 and 2030, which is considered slower than the average career. These figures are likely to differ between sociology career paths.
A sociology associate degree is a short, general degree that covers the basics of sociology. While it isn’t as extensive as a four-year degree, it still covers the fundamental principles of sociology and various topics across the field.
The best universities to get a sociology degree include Rutgers University, California-Irvine University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. However, there are many other colleges that will provide you with an excellent education in sociology.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
