In this course, we are interested in how sociologists study a broad range of top Leave a reply In this course, we are interested in how sociologists study a broad range of topics using different methods to collect and analyze their data. Each of you will write a research paper based on your own analysis of empirical data. You have the choice of writing a: a.) QUANTITATIVE PAPER based on existing data from the General Social Survey (GSS) Paper Formatting a.) minimum 7- to 9-pages, however feel free to go over this limit I am less concerned about students going over the page length and will evaluate you on how well you address each of the guidelines for each section of your paper (see below for evaluation rubric). b.) double-spaced (unless otherwise noted) c.) one-inch margins d.) 12-point Times New Roman font e.) page numbers f.) headings for different sections (i.e. Introduction, Data, Conclusions and Implications, etc.) g.) [optional] formal reference page following exact ASA style (not included in the page count) guidelines for a QUANTITATIVE Paper (GSS Data) Introduction You should introduce your paper topic to your reader by outlining the following information: a.) What is your topic? b.) What are your research question(s)? (Suggestion: What is the relationship between variable X and variable Y? or Does X vary by Y?) c.) What are your hypotheses to each of your research questions? You should have three one for each independent variable. d.) Why does the topic merit study? Generally, it is easier to compose an introduction after you have completed your Results and Discussion section. Data This section provides background information about your dataset. You should discuss the following: a.) Briefly describe your data, the General Social Survey (GSS) (include the unit of analysis, the time dimension, and the sample). b.) Identify your dependent and independent variables and explain why you selected each of these variables. How do these variables operationalize your topic? c.) For each variable, provide the following description: the variable name, the exact wording of the survey question, the variable attributes, and the level of measurement (i.e. nominal, ordinal, etc.). d.) Describe the limitations of your variables (e.g. small sample size, limited attributes). e.) Describe how you conducted your analysis (e.g., cross-tabulation bivariate analysis). f.) If applicable, describe collapsing the variable attributes, a justification for why you collapsed the attributes, and the level of measurement of the modified variable (if different from the original). Results and Discussion This is the heart of your paper, the section in which you clarify your topic and answer your research questions using evidence. Include at least three cross-tabulations using three different independent variables and the same dependent variable. For each cross-tabulation make sure to: a.) feature a cleaned-up table (not the GSS-website table). Tables must fit on the page, be easy to read, logical, and follow formatting specifications. Refer to lecture notes and Babbies Chapter 14. b.) specify which of your own research question(s) the table helps to answer and address if your hypothesis was correct or incorrect. c.) provide an analysis of the table. You must explain the trends in the table as if the reader does not have the access to it. Identify similarities as well as differences (small differences in percentages should be interpreted as similarities and not as differences). If table cells have fewer than 30 respondents, you do not have enough data to generalize about that group, and you should state this in your analysis. Conclusion and Implications You close the paper in this final section by doing the following: a.) Restate your research question. b.) Briefly review the results to your research question. In other words, synthesize how all three cross-tabulations inform your research question. c.) What new knowledge did you gain from this project? d.) Discuss limitations of your research method. In particular, address the issue of validity. e.) Suggest directions for future scholarship. This entry was posted in Sociology on December 7, 2021 by .
