Overview
SOC 102. Introduction to Social Problems
Final Research Project: Understanding a Social Problem Today
Writing a Research Paper Outline: A Step-by-Step Guide | ResearchPal - Your AI-Powered Research AssistantWhat is this assignment about?
In this final project, you will choose a real social problem happening today—something that affects people in real life, like access to education, housing inequality, racism, mental health, or climate migration. You will explore how this issue is experienced by different groups, how it's talked about in the media and by experts, and finally, you’ll think about what could happen with this issue in the future.
You’ll write a short research paper (minimum 4–5 full pages) that brings together media stories, academic sources, and your own critical thinking.
What will I learn by doing this?
By the end of this project, you will be able to:
Choose and clearly define a real-world social issue
Use news media and academic research to understand that issue from different points of view
Apply ideas and theories from sociology to explain what’s happening
Think critically about possible future developments or solutions
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Choose a topic
Pick one general area and then narrow it down to a specific problem. Here are some examples:
General Area
Example Social Problem
Education
Racial inequality in school discipline
Health
Access to mental health care for young adults
Economy & Labor
Job insecurity for gig workers
Family & Relationships
Domestic violence and housing access
Technology & Media
Online harassment and gender
Tip: Pick something that matters to you personally or professionally—it will make your research more meaningful.
Step 2: Find your sources
You need to use at least 4 sources:
2 media/public sources, like news articles, podcasts, or reports from well-known organizations (e.g., The Guardian, NPR, CNN, UN Women)
2 academic sources, such as journal articles or book chapters by sociologists or other social scientists
Tip: Use the library or Google Scholar to find academic sources.
Step 3: Write your paper
Write a minimum 4–5 page paper. It must include the following sections:
What to include in your paper:
Introduction
What is the specific problem you are studying?
Why is it important right now?
Who is affected?
How is the problem experienced today?
Give a brief overview of how this issue affects people’s lives.
Use your media and academic sources to explain how different social groups are impacted.
How is the problem explained or debated?
What are people saying about this issue in the news? In research?
Are there disagreements or different interpretations?
Sociological analysis
Use one idea, concept, or theory from class to help explain the problem.
Examples: structural inequality, intersectionality, power, labeling, etc.
Show how this concept helps us understand the deeper causes or consequences of the issue.
What might happen in the future?
What are the possible outcomes in the next 10–20 years?
Could the problem get better, worse, or change form?
What solutions or interventions might help?
Conclusion
What did you learn about the issue?
Why is it important to keep studying or talking about this problem?
Bibliography / References
List your sources using APA or ASA style (see below)
Minimum: 4 sources (2 media + 2 academic)
Format and Submission
Minimum 4-5 full pages (double-spaced, 12 pt font, Times New Roman or similar)
Submit as a PDF
How will you be graded?
Criteria
Points
Clear topic and introduction
15
Use of required sources
20
Explanation of the issue today
15
Use of a sociological concept
20
Future outlook
15
Clarity, structure, writing
15
Total
100
📚 APA 7th Edition Citation Guidelines
In-text citations:Include the author's last name and the year of publication. For example: (Smith, 2020).
Reference list:At the end of your journal entry, include a reference list with at least three credible sources formatted according to APA 7th edition guidelines.
Examples:
Book:
Author, A. A. (Year).Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Publisher.
Journal Article:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article.Title of Periodical, volume number (issue number), pages. https://doi.org/xx.xxx/yyyy
Website:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of page.Site Name. URL
For more detailed guidance on APA 7th edition formatting, you can refer to the Purdue OWL APA Formatting and Style Guide.