sociology dissertation proposal

How to write a Research Proposal: Explained with Examples

At some time in your student phase, you will have to do a Thesis or Dissertation, and for that, you will have to submit a research proposal. A Research Proposal in its most basic definition is a formally structured document that explains what, why, and how of your research. This document explains What you plan to research (your topic or theme of research), Why you are doing this research (justifying your research topic), and How you will do (your approach to complete the research). The purpose of a proposal is to convince other people apart from yourself that the work you’re doing is suitable and feasible for your academic position.

The process of writing a research proposal is lengthy and time-consuming. Your proposal will need constant edits as you keep taking your work forward and continue receiving feedback. Although, there is a structure or a template that needs to be followed. This article will guide you through this strenuous task. So, let’s get to work!

Research Proposal: Example

[ Let us take a running example throughout the article so that we cover all the points. Let us assume that we are working on a dissertation that needs to study the relationship between Gender and Money. ]

The Title is one of the first things the reader comes across. Your title should be crisp yet communicate all that you are trying to convey to the reader. In academia, a title gets even more weightage because in a sea of resources, sometimes your research project can get ignored because the title didn’t speak for itself. Therefore, make sure that you brainstorm multiple title options and see which fits the best. Many times in academic writing we use two forms of titles: the Main Title and the Subtitle. If you think that you cannot justify your research using just a Title, you can add a subtitle which will then convey the rest of your explanation.

[ Explanation through an example: Our theme is “Gender and Money”.

Insider’s Info: If you are not confident about your title in your research proposal, then write “Tentative Title” in brackets and italic below your Title. In this way, your superiors (professor or supervisor) will know that you are still working on fixing the title.

Overview / Abstract

The overview, also known as abstract and/or introduction, is the first section that you write for your proposal. Your overview should be a single paragraph that explains to the reader what your whole research will be about. In a nutshell, you will use your abstract to present all the arguments that you will be taking in detail in your thesis or research. What you can do is introduce your theme a little along with your topic and the aim of your research. But beware and do not reveal all that you have in your pocket. Make sure to spend plenty of time writing your overview because it will be used to determine if your research is worth taking forward or reading.

Existing Literature

Difference between “literature review” and “existing literature”.

A literature review is a detailed essay that discusses all the material which is already out there regarding your topic. For a literature review, you will have to mention all the literature you have read and then explain how they benefit you in your field of research.

[ Explanation through an example: Now we know that our topic is: Our theme is “A study of “Gendered Money” in the Rural households of Delhi.”

To find the existing literature on this topic you should find academic articles relating to the themes of money, gender, economy, income, etc. ]

Research Gap

Insider’s Info : If you are unable to find a research gap for your dissertation, the best hack to fall back on is to say that all the research done up to this point have been based on western notions and social facts, but you will conduct research which holds in your localized reality.

Research Question / Hypothesis

Some of the research questions you can state can be,

Research Methodology / Research Design

This part of the research proposal is about how you will conduct and complete your research. To understand better what research methodology is, we should first clarify the difference between methodology and method. Research Method is the technique used by you to conduct your research. A method includes the sources of collecting your data such as case studies, interviews, surveys, etc. On the other hand, Methodology is how you plan to apply your method . Your methodology determines how you execute various methods during the course of your dissertation.

Therefore, a research methodology, which is also known as research design, is where you tell your reader how you plan to do your research. You tell the step-by-step plan and then justify it. Your research methodology will inform your supervisor how you plan to use your research tools and methods.

Your methodology should explain where you are conducting the research and how. So for this research, your field will be rural Delhi. Explain why you chose to study rural households and not urban ones. Then comes the how, some of the methods you might want to opt for can be Interviews, Questionnaires, and/or Focused Group Discussions. Do not forget to mention your sample size, i.e., the number of people you plan to talk to. ]

Insider’s Info: Make sure that you justify all the methods you plan to use. The more you provide your supervisor with a justification; the more serious and formal you come out to be in front of them. Also, when you write your why down, it is hard to forget the track and get derailed from the goal.

For this project, you can mention that you will be allocated 4 months, out of which 1 month will be utilized for fieldwork and the rest would be used for secondary research, compilation, and completion of the thesis. ]

Aim of the Research

You can present that through your research you will aim to find if the money which enters the household belongs equally to everyone, or does it get stratified and gendered in this realm. Through this research, you aim to present a fresh new perspective in the field of studies of gendered money. ]

Bibliography

Insider’s Info: You do not number or bullet your bibliography. They should be arranged alphabetically based on the surname of the author.

Learn: Citation with Examples

https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/

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The goal of a research proposal is to present and justify the need to study a research problem and to present the practical ways in which the proposed study should be conducted. The design elements and procedures for conducting the research are governed by standards within the predominant discipline in which the problem resides, so guidelines for research proposals are more exacting and less formal than a general project proposal. Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews. They must provide persuasive evidence that a need exists for the proposed study. In addition to providing a rationale, a proposal describes detailed methodology for conducting the research consistent with requirements of the professional or academic field and a statement on anticipated outcomes and/or benefits derived from the study's completion.

Krathwohl, David R. How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005.

"Document that is typically written by a scientist or academic which describes the ideas for an investigation on a certain topic. The research proposal outlines the process from beginning to end and may be used to request financing for the project, certification for performing certain parts of research of the experiment, or as a required task before beginning a college dissertation."

Web Finance Inc. (c. 2019). What is research proposal? definition and meaning. Retrieved July 1, 2019, from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/research-proposal.html

Your professor may assign the task of writing a research proposal for the following reasons:

• Develop your skills in thinking about and designing a comprehensive research study;
• Learn how to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature to ensure a research problem has not already been answered [or you may determine the problem has been answered ineffectively] and, in so doing, become better at locating scholarship related to your topic;
• Improve your general research and writing skills;
• Practice identifying the logical steps that must be taken to accomplish one's research goals;
• Critically review, examine, and consider the use of different methods for gathering and analyzing data related to the research problem; and,
• Nurture a sense of inquisitiveness within yourself and to help see yourself as an active participant in  the process of  doing scholarly research.

A proposal should contain all the key elements involved in designing a completed research study, with sufficient information that allows readers to assess the validity and usefulness of your proposed study. The only elements missing from a research proposal are the findings of the study and your analysis of those results. Finally, an effective proposal is judged on the quality of your writing and, therefore, it is important that your writing is coherent, clear, and compelling.

Regardless of the research problem you are investigating and the methodology you choose, all research proposals must address the following questions:

• What do you plan to accomplish?  Be clear and succinct in defining the research problem and what it is you are proposing to research.
• Why do you want to do it?  In addition to detailing your research design, you also must conduct a thorough review of the literature and provide convincing evidence that it is a topic worthy of study. Be sure to answer the "So What?" question.
• How are you going to do it?  Be sure that what you propose is doable. If you're having trouble formulating a research problem to propose investigating,  go here .

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failure to be concise; being "all over the map" without a clear sense of purpose.
• Failure to cite landmark works in your literature review.
• Failure to delimit the contextual boundaries of your research [e.g., time, place, people, etc.].
• Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive argument for the proposed research.
• Failure to stay focused on the research problem; going off on unrelated tangents.
• Sloppy or imprecise writing, or poor grammar.
• Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues.

Procter, Margaret. The Academic Proposal.  The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Sanford, Keith. Information for Students: Writing a Research Proposal. Baylor University; Wong, Paul T. P. How to Write a Research Proposal. International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University; Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles, and Books. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing a Research Proposal. University Library. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Beginning the Proposal Process

As with writing a regular academic paper, research proposals are generally organized the same way throughout most social science disciplines. Proposals vary between ten and twenty-five pages in length. However, before you begin, read the assignment carefully and, if anything seems unclear, ask your professor whether there are any specific requirements for organizing and writing the proposal.

A good place to begin is to ask yourself a series of questions:

• What do I want to study?
• Why is the topic important?
• How is it significant within the subject areas covered in my class?
• What problems will it help solve?
• How does it build upon [and hopefully go beyond] research already conducted on the topic?
• What exactly should I plan to do, and can I get it done in the time available?

In general, a compelling research proposal should document your knowledge of the topic and demonstrate your enthusiasm for conducting the study. Approach it with the intention of leaving your readers feeling like--"Wow, that's an exciting idea and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!"

In general your proposal should include the following sections:

I.  Introduction

In the real world of higher education, a research proposal is most often written by scholars seeking grant funding for a research project or it's the first step in getting approval to write a doctoral dissertation. Even if this is just a course assignment, treat your introduction as the initial pitch of an idea or a thorough examination of the significance of a research problem. After reading the introduction, your readers should not only have an understanding of what you want to do, but they should also be able to gain a sense of your passion for the topic and be excited about the study's possible outcomes. Note that most proposals do not include an abstract [summary] before the introduction.

Think about your introduction as a narrative written in one to three paragraphs that succinctly answers the following four questions :

• What is the central research problem?
• What is the topic of study related to that problem?
• What methods should be used to analyze the research problem?
• Why is this important research, what is its significance, and why should someone reading the proposal care about the outcomes of the proposed study?

II.  Background and Significance

This section can be melded into your introduction or you can create a separate section to help with the organization and narrative flow of your proposal. This is where you explain the context of your proposal and describe in detail why it's important. Approach writing this section with the thought that you can’t assume your readers will know as much about the research problem as you do. Note that this section is not an essay going over everything you have learned about the topic; instead, you must choose what is relevant to help explain the goals for your study.

To that end, while there are no hard and fast rules, you should attempt to address some or all of the following key points:

• State the research problem and give a more detailed explanation about the purpose of the study than what you stated in the introduction. This is particularly important if the problem is complex or  multifaceted .
• Present the rationale of your proposed study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing. Answer the "So What? question [i.e., why should anyone care].
• Describe the major issues or problems to be addressed by your research. Be sure to note how your proposed study builds on previous assumptions about the research problem.
• Explain how you plan to go about conducting your research. Clearly identify the key sources you intend to use and explain how they will contribute to your analysis of the topic.
• Set the boundaries of your proposed research in order to provide a clear focus. Where appropriate, state not only what you will study, but what is excluded from the study.
• If necessary, provide definitions of key concepts or terms.

III.  Literature Review

Connected to the background and significance of your study is a section of your proposal devoted to a more deliberate review and synthesis of prior studies related to the research problem under investigation . The purpose here is to place your project within the larger whole of what is currently being explored, while demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. Think about  what questions other researchers have asked, what methods they have used, and what is your understanding of their findings and, where stated, their recommendations. Do not be afraid to challenge the conclusions of prior research. Assess what you believe is missing and state how previous research has failed to adequately examine the issue that your study addresses. For more information on writing literature reviews,  GO HERE .

Since a literature review is information dense, it is crucial that this section is intelligently structured to enable a reader to grasp the key arguments underpinning your study in relation to that of other researchers. A good strategy is to break the literature into "conceptual categories" [themes] rather than systematically describing groups of materials one at a time. Note that conceptual categories generally reveal themselves after you have read most of the pertinent literature on your topic so adding new categories is an on-going process of discovery as you read more studies. How do you know you've covered the key  conceptual categories  underlying the research literature? Generally, you can have confidence that  all of the significant conceptual categories  have been identified if you start to see repetition in the conclusions or recommendations that are being made.

To help frame your proposal's literature review, here are the "five C’s" of writing a literature review:

• Cite , so as to keep the primary focus on the literature pertinent to your research problem.
• Compare  the various arguments, theories, methodologies, and findings expressed in the literature: what do the authors agree on? Who applies similar approaches to analyzing the research problem?
• Contrast  the various arguments, themes, methodologies, approaches, and controversies expressed in the literature: what are the major areas of disagreement, controversy, or debate?
• Critique  the literature: Which arguments are more persuasive, and why? Which approaches, findings, methodologies seem most reliable, valid, or appropriate, and why? Pay attention to the verbs you use to describe what an author says/does [e.g., asserts, demonstrates, argues, etc.] .
• Connect  the literature to your own area of research and investigation: how does your own work draw upon, depart from, synthesize, or add a new perspective to what has been said in the literature?

IV.  Research Design and Methods

This section  must  be well-written and logically organized because you are not actually doing the research, yet, your reader must have confidence that it is worth pursuing . The reader will never have a study outcome from which to evaluate whether your methodological choices were the correct ones. Thus, the objective here is to convince the reader that your overall research design and methods of analysis will correctly address the problem and that the methods will provide the means to effectively interpret the potential results. Your design and methods should be unmistakably tied to the specific aims of your study.

Describe the overall research design by building upon and drawing examples from your review of the literature. Consider not only methods that other researchers have used but methods of data gathering that have not been used but perhaps could be. Be specific about the methodological approaches you plan to undertake to obtain information, the techniques you would use to analyze the data, and the tests of external validity to which you commit yourself [i.e., the trustworthiness by which you can generalize from your study to other people, places, events, and/or periods of time].

When describing the methods you will use, be sure to cover the following:

• Specify the research operations you will undertake and the way you will interpret the results of these operations in relation to the research problem. Don't just describe what you intend to achieve from applying the methods you choose, but state how you will spend your time while applying these methods [e.g., coding text from interviews to find statements about the need to change school curriculum;  running a regression to  determine if there is a relationship between  campaign advertising on social media sites and election outcomes in Europe ].
• Keep in mind that a methodology is not just a list of tasks; it is an argument as to why these tasks add up to the best way to investigate the research problem. This is an important point because the mere listing of tasks to be performed does not demonstrate that, collectively, they effectively address the research problem. Be sure you explain this.
• Anticipate and acknowledge any potential barriers and pitfalls in carrying out your research design and explain how you plan to address them. No method is perfect so you need to describe where you believe challenges may exist in obtaining data or accessing information. It's always better to acknowledge this than to have it brought up by your reader.

V.  Preliminary Suppositions and Implications

Just because you don't have to actually conduct the study and analyze the results, doesn't mean you can skip talking about the analytical process and potential implications . The purpose of this section is to argue how and in what ways you believe your research will refine, revise, or extend existing knowledge in the subject area under investigation. Depending on the aims and objectives of your study, describe how the anticipated results will impact future scholarly research, theory, practice, forms of interventions, or policymaking. Note that such discussions may have either substantive [a potential new policy], theoretical [a potential new understanding], or methodological [a potential new way of analyzing] significance.   When thinking about the potential implications of your study, ask the following questions:

• What might the results mean in regards to the theoretical framework that underpins the study?
• What suggestions for subsequent research could arise from the potential outcomes of the study?
• What will the results mean to practitioners in the natural settings of their workplace?
• Will the results influence programs, methods, and/or forms of intervention?
• How might the results contribute to the solution of social, economic, or other types of problems?
• Will the results influence policy decisions?
• In what way do individuals or groups benefit should your study be pursued?
• What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed research?
• How will the results of the study be implemented, and what innovations will come about?

NOTE :  This section should not delve into idle speculation, opinion,  or be formulated on the basis of unclear evidence . The purpose is to reflect upon gaps or understudied areas of the current literature and describe how your proposed research contributes to a new understanding of the research problem should the study be implemented as designed.

VI.  Conclusion

The conclusion reiterates the importance or significance of your proposal and provides a brief summary of the entire study . This section should be only one or two paragraphs long, emphasizing why the research problem is worth investigating, why your research study is unique, and how it should advance existing knowledge.

Someone reading this section should come away with an understanding of:

• Why the study should be done,
• The specific purpose of the study and the research questions it attempts to answer,
• The decision to why the research design and methods used where chosen over other options,
• The potential implications emerging from your proposed study of the research problem, and
• A sense of how your study fits within the broader scholarship about the research problem.

VII.   Citations

As with any scholarly research paper, you must cite the sources you used in composing your proposal. In a standard research proposal, this section can take two forms, so consult with your professor about which one is preferred.

• References --  lists only the literature that you actually used or cited in your proposal.
• Bibliography --  lists everything you used or cited in your proposal, with additional citations to any key sources relevant to understanding the research problem.

In either case, this section should testify to the fact that you did enough preparatory work to make sure the project will complement and not duplicate the efforts of other researchers. Start a new page and use the heading "References" or "Bibliography" centered at the top of the page. Cited works should always use a standard format that follows the writing style advised by the discipline of your course [i.e., education=APA; history=Chicago, etc] or that is preferred by your professor. This section normally does not count towards the total page length of your research proposal.

Develop  a Research Proposal: Writing the Proposal . Office of Library Information Services. Baltimore County Public Schools;  Heath, M. Teresa Pereira and Caroline Tynan. “Crafting a Research Proposal.”  The Marketing Review  10 (Summer 2010): 147-168; Jones, Mark. “Writing a Research Proposal.” In  MasterClass in Geography Education: Transforming Teaching and Learning . Graham Butt, editor. (New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2015), pp. 113-127; Juni, Muhamad Hanafiah. “Writing a Research Proposal.” International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences  1 (September/October 2014): 229-240; Krathwohl, David R.  How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005; Procter, Margaret.  The Academic Proposal . The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Punch, Keith and Wayne McGowan. "Developing and Writing a Research Proposal." In  From Postgraduate to Social Scientist: A Guide to Key Skills . Nigel Gilbert, ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2006), 59-81; Wong, Paul T. P.  How to Write a Research Proposal . International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University;  Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles, and Books . The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University;  Writing a Research Proposal . University Library. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Proposal Writing

The advice given in this section is geared towards the proposals you will be required to submit when applying for OUR programs and funding opportunities. Though much of this information will be useful when writing proposals or personal statements for non-OUR applications, we recommend you refer to the guidelines in the application you are working on and the advice provided by the  UConn Writing Center  to guide the development of your proposal. If you are applying for OUR Programs you should also review the criteria specific to the program to which you are applying to ensure your proposal is appropriately tailored.

Where to Begin

Start by brainstorming answers to the following questions:

• Why am I doing this project? What issues, problems, or questions will I explore and answer?
• What am I hoping to gain or learn from this experience? Why is this project important to me?
• What are my goals for the project and how will I accomplish those goals? What do I hope to realize as a result of my efforts?
• Is my topic too broad or too narrow? Is it feasible?

Use your answers, in conjunction with the guidelines below, to develop the first draft of your proposal. Once you have a draft, plan to seek feedback from trusted sources. You should also plan to attend a workshop at the Writing Center and review their  resources on writing personal statements .

Guidelines for a Successful Proposal

While there is no magic formula to follow for a successful proposal, following these general guidelines will help you develop a thorough, well-developed proposal.

Guideline 1: Review the prompts

The applications for OUR programs will ask you to answer specific questions relating to your project, including some combination of the following:

• the purpose of the work
• the steps you intend to take to complete the project
• why the work is meaningful to you
• how participating in this project will contribute to your educational and career goals

A good proposal clearly outlines the project or research question and convinces others of its merits. The proposal should demonstrate why the project is worthy of support, and why the topic is of interest to you, the applicant. Avoid simply writing a summary of what you’ve done (unless specifically asked to do so); rather, focus on your project or research, and what you’re hoping to accomplish.

Each application is a different, and you need to carefully read and understand all the questions being asked to assure your proposal addresses them. Stay focused on your topic and make sure to fully answer the questions that are asked. Neglecting to answer or not focusing on the questions at hand will hurt your proposal.

Guideline 2: Follow directions

Word and character limits, as well as format requirements, are given for a reason. Stay within the guidelines and parameters. Though you may think it won’t matter if you are 10 words over the limit, or your font size is .5 smaller than instructed, it does matter. Not following the guidelines indicates to the reviewers that you are either unable to follow directions or that you did not read the directions carefully. This is not the impression you want to make.

Guideline 3: Consider your audience

At UConn, the review committees are composed of faculty and professional staff from across the University. They are not experts in every field of study and may not be familiar with the topic of study or type of project you are proposing. Therefore, your aim should be to write your proposal for a well-educated audience that does not have the in-depth technical knowledge associated with your field.

Do not assume the reader will know what you’re talking about or what contribution your project may make to your field of study.  Give the reader enough background information to understand the importance of the research or project without overwhelming them with technical details.

Guideline 4: Be specific

You can have a well-developed idea or solid research question, but if you fail to clearly articulate how you plan to execute your idea or answer your research question, the feasibility of your proposal will be questioned. Be as specific as possible. If you intend to bring speakers to campus, indicate who you hope to bring and why you chose those individuals. If you propose to travel to archives to conduct research, describe why you chose those archives and what special collections you plan to access at the archives. If you intend to conduct focus groups, indicate why you chose to do focus groups and how you plan to recruit participants.

It’s not enough to only state what you intend to do, you need to indicate why and how. Explain the thought process behind the steps you will take to execute your project or answer your research question.

Guideline 5: Allow time for revisions and rewrites

Plan ahead; a well-written proposal doesn’t emerge overnight. Perfunctory proposals rarely excite anyone, and if your proposal comes across as a last-minute endeavor it may signal a lack of sincere investment in your project.

Starting early will also give you time to seek feedback, which is a necessary part of proposal writing. Ask for a critique from faculty mentors, advisors, and writing tutors to assure your intended message is clear and that your proposal addresses the key points. Take feedback into consideration, but make sure that you don’t lose your voice in the process. Your proposal needs to be genuine and sincere, accurately representing your interests, goals, and intentions, and not those of well-meaning reviewers.

Proofread your proposal. Spell check does not catch all errors. Read your proposal aloud; this will help you catch spelling, grammatical, and word use errors. Spelling errors, grammatical errors, and poor word choice are the quickest ways to undermine the effectiveness of your proposal.

Thank you to the University of Southern California Libraries  for a great resource!

Additional resources

• The Research Proposal - video
• Writing a research proposal video
• Example from Psychology Today
• Writing for psychology

This is a video produced at Massey University in New Zealand for GRADUATE STUDENTS. It is the model which your assignment is based. It is a useful introduction to proposals as one type of undergraduate paper. 

The opening discusses doing graduate work.  You can start the video at 2:40.

Yes, this is a long video (1 hour). However, the presenter makes good points. There is a link to the documents he uses in the presentation.

How to Write a Psychology Research Proposal : Writing a brief research proposal cultivates all kinds of intellectual skills.

A PDF of the document is available at the end of the article.

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Writing a research proposal

Guidelines on preparing a thesis proposal to support your application.

These guidelines are intended to assist you in developing and writing a thesis proposal. Applications for admission to a research degree cannot be dealt with unless they contain a proposal.

Your proposal will help us to make sure that:

• The topic is viable
• That the department can provide appropriate supervision and other necessary support
• You have thought through your interest in and commitment to a piece of research
• You are a suitable candidate for admission

The process of producing a proposal is usually also essential if you need to apply for funding to pay your fees or support yourself whilst doing your research. Funding bodies will often need to be reassured that you are committed to a viable project at a suitable university.

The research proposal – an outline

Your proposal should be typed double-spaced, if possible, and be between 1,000 and 2,000 words. Your PhD proposal can be added under the 'Supporting Documents' section of the Postgraduate Applications Online System .

Your proposal should contain at least the following elements:

• A provisional title
• A key question, hypothesis or the broad topic for investigation
• An outline of the key aims of the research
• A brief outline of key literature in the area [what we already know]
• A description of the topic and an explanation of why further research in the area is important [the gap in the literature - what we need to know]
• Details of how the research will be carried out, including any special facilities / resources etc. which would be required and any necessary skills which you either have already or would need to acquire [the tools that will enable us to fill the gap you have identified]
• A plan and timetable of the work you will carry out

For more detailed information on each element of your research proposal, see our extended guidance document .

Three additional points:

• Try to be concise. Do not write too much – be as specific as you can but not wordy. It is a difficult balance to strike.
• Bear in mind that the proposal is a starting point. If you are registered to read for a PhD you will be able to work the proposal through with your supervisor in more detail in the early months.
• Take a look at the Department’s staff profiles, research centres, and research clusters. Can you identify possible supervisors and intellectual support networks within the Department?

Examples of Successful PhD Proposals

• PhD sample proposal 1
• PhD sample proposal 2
• PhD sample proposal 3
• PhD sample proposal 4
• PhD sample proposal 5
• PhD sample proposal 6
• PhD sample proposal 7
• PhD sample proposal 8

Related information

Applying for a PhD

Our Research Themes

Our Research Areas

Search for PhD opportunities at Sheffield and be part of our world-leading research.

College of Social & Applied Human Sciences

Dissertation Proposal

The dissertation proposal should be formulated as soon as possible following the completion of the qualifying examination and presented to the student’s advisory committee. The dissertation proposal must be formally approved by the advisory committee before the dissertation research can begin, normally by the end of the fifth semester and not later than the end of the sixth semester in the program. A copy of the approved proposal together with a completed Dissertation Proposal Approval form must be submitted to the Graduate Program Assistant.

Writing a proposal is an important and valuable step to researching and writing the dissertation. It will therefore likely require several weeks and many drafts before it is approved by the advisory committee. During this time, the student should consult regularly with the advisor and other committee members.

The dissertation proposal should not exceed 5,000 words (about 20 double-spaced pages of text), excluding the bibliography and appendices.

Purpose and Components of the Proposal

The dissertation proposal is a roadmap for the research project, and therefore should clearly outline the steps that will be taken to complete the project. The proposal helps students clarify their thoughts, arguments, and approach to a topic. It also serves to persuade the advisory committee that the dissertation will pursue an interesting and worthwhile question, that the study is unique and feasible, and that the student is capable of moving forward with the project.

A good proposal will demonstrate:

• The ability to clearly articulate a research program, including a theoretical orientation, research questions, and an appropriate methodological plan;
• Knowledge of the relevant scholarly literature;
• An awareness of the scope and limitations of the project, both conceptually and methodologically;
• A plan for moving from the proposal stage to final submission of the dissertation.

A well-written and well-structured proposal links all sections and provides a complete story of the dissertation project. The proposal should include the following components, though the order in which they are presented may vary, both within and between the sections described below.

Introducing the Study

Early in the proposal, the student should provide the background to and context of the study, state the problem to be addressed, and outline the purpose/objective/aim/rationale. In addition, the research questions should be clearly articulated. These elements are critical to providing the advisory committee with a sense of the overall focus, scope and direction of the study.

Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

The proposal must include a review of the literature as well as the theoretical framework that will inform the research and data analysis.

An extensive literature review is not required for the proposal, but the review should aim to demonstrate that the student has a good grasp of the relevant literature. The student should not merely summarize the literature as the goal is to demonstrate an ability to thematically organize and critically assess extant literature. The literature review should situate the student’s study within the wider conversation in their field of specialization and identify gaps in the literature

It is important to discuss the theoretical framework that will guide the overall project, inform the methodology and analysis, and help answer the research questions. Theory is critical to a PhD dissertation and students need to demonstrate their ability to understand theory and integrate theoretical considerations in their proposal.

Methodology

The methodology section should clearly demonstrate how the project will be carried out to ensure that it is feasible. This section should:

• Discuss the key methodological approach and considerations;
• Describe and justify the data collection method(s);
• Discuss the data sources and data access;
• Provide the context for the research sites and periodization, where applicable;
• Discuss the type of analysis that will be used to interpret the data;
• Address potential limitations of the methodology;
• Reflect on the key ethical issues.

Significance, Contributions and Limitations of the Study

The concluding section should include a discussion of the significance and anticipated contributions of the study in terms of the substantive literature, theory, policy and methodology. It should make note of the limitations.

Timeline / Plan of Work

The proposal should include a schedule with anticipated completion dates for specific parts of the dissertation. This timeline helps the advisory committee determine if the project is realistic. Establishing a schedule can also help students manage their time more effectively by setting specific goals.

Bibliography

A bibliography of the sources used in the proposal must be included. The student may also include additional sources that are relevant to the project.

Research Involving Human Participants

Research involving human participants must be approved by the University of Guelph Research Ethics Board before the research work commences. The Research Ethics Board administers the Tri-Council Policy Statement.

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School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies

How to write a phd research proposal.

In order to help you with your application, the information below aims to give some guidance on how a typical research proposal might look.

Your research proposal is a concise statement (up to 3,000 words) of the rationale for your research proposal, the research questions to be answered and how you propose to address them. We know that during the early stages of your PhD you are likely to refine your thinking and methodology in discussion with your supervisors.

However, we want to see that you can construct a fairly rigorous, high quality research proposal.

We use your research proposal to help us decide whether you would be a suitable candidate to study at PhD level. We therefore assess your proposal on its quality, originality, and coherence. It also helps us to decide if your research interests match those of academics in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies (SPAIS) and whether they would be able to provide suitably qualified supervision for your proposed research.

Format of the research proposal

Your proposal should include the following:

Title. A short, indicative title is best.

Abstract. This is a succinct summary of your research proposal (approximately 200-300 words) that will present a condensed outline, enabling the reader to get a very quick overview of your proposed project, lines of inquiry and possible outcomes. An abstract is often written last, after you have written the proposal and are able to summarise it effectively.

Rationale for the research project. This might include a description of the question/debate/phenomenon of interest; an explanation of why the topic is of interest to you; and an outline of the reasons why the topic should be of interest to research and/ or practice (the 'so what?' question).

Aims and initial research question. What are the aims and objectives of the research? State clearly the puzzle you are addressing, and the research question that you intend to pursue. It is acceptable to have multiple research questions, but it is a good idea to clarify which is the main research question. If you have hypotheses, discuss them here. A research proposal can and should make a positive and persuasive first impression and demonstrate your potential to become a good researcher. In particular, you need to demonstrate that you can think critically and analytically as well as communicate your ideas clearly.

Research context for your proposed project. Provide a short introduction to your area of interest with a succinct, selective and critical review of the relevant literature. Demonstrate that you understand the theoretical underpinnings and main debates and issues in your research area and how your proposed research will make an original and necessary contribution to this. You need to demonstrate how your proposed research will fill a gap in existing knowledge.

Intended methodology. Outline how you plan to conduct the research and the data sources that you will use. We do not expect you to have planned a very detailed methodology at this stage, but you need to provide an overview of how you will conduct your research (qualitative and/or quantitative methods) and why this methodology is suited for your proposed study. You need to be convincing about the appropriateness and feasibility of the approaches you are suggesting, and reflective about problems you might encounter (including ethical and data protection issues) in collecting and analysing your data.

Expected outcomes and impact. How do you think the research might add to existing knowledge; what might it enable organisations or interested parties to do differently? Increasingly in academia (and this is particularly so for ESRC-funded studentships), PhD students are being asked to consider how their research might contribute to both academic impact and/or economic and societal impact. (This is well explained on the ESRC website if you would like to find out more.) Please consider broader collaborations and partnerships (academic and non-academic) that will support your research. Collaborative activity can lead to a better understanding of the ways in which academic research can translate into practice and it can help to inform and improve the quality of your research and its impact.

Timetable. What is your initial estimation of the timetable of the dissertation? When will each of the key stages start and finish (refining proposal; literature review; developing research methods; fieldwork; analysis; writing the draft; final submission). There are likely to overlaps between the stages.

Why Bristol? Why – specifically – do you want to study for your PhD at Bristol ? How would you fit into the School's  research themes and research culture . You do not need to identify supervisors at the application stage although it can be helpful if you do.

Bibliography. Do make sure that you cite what you see as the key readings in the field. This does not have to be comprehensive but you are illustrating the range of sources you might use in your research.

We expect your research proposal to be clear, concise and grammatically correct. Prior to submitting your research proposal, please make sure that you have addressed the following issues:

• Have you included a clear summary of what the proposed research is about and why it is significant?
• Have you clearly identified what your proposed research will add to our understanding of theory, knowledge or research design?
• Does it state what contributions it will make to policy and/or practice?
• Does the proposal clearly explain how you will do the research?
• Is the language clear and easy to understand by someone who is not an expert in the field?
• Is the grammar and spelling correct?

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An honors thesis proposal is a document written by a student in consultation with his/her honors thesis advisor. It identifies the problem or question that the student will address in the thesis and explains how the student will go about investigating it. The proposal is a blue print that guides the thesis project. It often constitutes a rough version of the first chapter of the thesis itself. Most proposals contain the following parts.

What Should a Thesis Proposal Contain?

• Statement of the problem : This section identifies the specific problem or question that the student will investigate and briefly explains why it is of sociological interest. This section often includes a preliminary review of the sociological literature that explains why the student's research problem or question is important and how it relates to other sociological work that has been done.
• Hypothesis : The proposal should identify one or more specific hypotheses that the student will test empirically. The hypothesis is often derived from literature that has already been published. The proposal also often identifies key dependent and independent variables and explains how they will be operationalized.
• Data : The proposal should identify the data that the student will use in the thesis and where it will come from. Data may come from a variety of sources and take a variety of forms, such as archival documents (e.g., government documents, newspapers, memoirs, etc.) or surveys (e.g., U.S. Census, General Social Survey, etc.). If the student plans to collect his/her own data, such as through a survey, experiment, participant observation, interviews, etc., he/she should explain how the data will be collected. Issues of sampling, case study selection, etc. should be discussed.
• Analysis : The student should explain how the data will be analyzed once it is located and/or collected. It is especially important to outline a research design that explains the sorts of empirical comparisons that will be involved and how this will shed light on the student's hypothesis. If quantitative data will be analyzed, what statistical techniques will likely be involved?
• Human subjects approval : If the student plans to conduct interviews, administer a survey, or observe human subjects he/she must obtain approval for the study from Dartmouth's Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (phone: 646-3053/1598) before data are collected. This is mandatory Dartmouth College policy.
• Timetable : The student should establish a timetable for each step of the thesis process. Dates should be set by which the literature review, development of data collection tools, data collection, analysis, production of draft chapters and other critical parts of the thesis project will be completed.
• Thesis outline : An outline of the thesis should be provided indicating its overall organization, i.e., a preliminary "Table of Contents."

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Arts and Sciences > Sociology > Theses and Dissertations

Sociology Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Empowering Populist Politics: Social Media Use in the US and UK , James M. Howley

Exploring Educational Equity: An Ethnographic Case Study of Non-Profit Initiatives in Early Childhood Education , Jovana Jovanovic

Disability, Blackness, and Online Community: Black Twitter as Self-Narrative , Morgan S. Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

“You don’t seek help, You are just thankful for the things the country provides for you.” The Emotional Burden of Growing up Undocumented in the United States , Melanie Anne Escue

Deconstructing and Decolonizing Identities of “Gender” and “Sex” When Viewed as Anti-Black: Black Narratives Outside of the Binary , Didier Salgado

“We Need to Figure Out Who We Are”: Reframing Manhood in an Online Discussion Forum , Tomas Sanjuan Jr.

Musicking Higher Education: An Analysis of the Effects of Music Pedagogy On College Classroom Atmospheres , April Smith

Framing, Emotion, and Contradiction in the Tampa Bay Times’ Climate Change Coverage , Madison Veeneman

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

"Are We Done?": The Minimization of Covid-19 and the Individualization of Health in the United States , Cassidy R. Boe

A Tale of Two Art Programs: Art & Identity for People with Disabilities , Melinda Leigh Maconi

Revisiting ‘Our’ Place on Campus: A Queer(ed) and In-depth Interview Study of QT Resource Professionals in Higher Education , Kristopher Andrew Oliveira

Health and Friendships of LGBTQIA+ College Students , Komal Asim Qidwai

Organizing for Here and There: Exploring the Grassroots Organizing of the Puerto Rican Diaspora in the Tampa Bay Area , Dominique Rivera

Stitched Together: What We Learn from Secret Stories in Public Media , Sara D. Rocks

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

"Duck Wars": Examining the Narrative Construction of a "Problem" Species , Jenna A. Bateman

The Debate on Physician-Assisted Death in the United States: A Narrative Analysis of Formula Stories , Rebecca Blackwell

The Social Correlates of War: Conflict Correlations Within Belief Systems. , Richard R. N. Decampa

Narrative Meaning Productions of Compassionate Healthcare: An Examination of Cultural Codes, Organizational Practices, and Everyday Realities , Carley Geiss

Racialized Morality: The Logic of Anti-Trafficking Advocacy , Sophie Elizabeth James

Green Business and the Culture of Capitalism: Constructing Narratives of Environmentalism , Julia S. Jester

Presenting Selves and Interpreting Culture: An Ethnography of Chinese International Tourism in the United States , Fangheyue Ma

Making A Home Away from Home: A Qualitative Study of African Students’ Practices of Integration in the United States , Alphonse O. Opoku

"They Say We're Expendable:" Race, Nation, and Citizenship in the Dominican Republic. , Edlin Veras

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

A social network analysis of online gamers' friendship networks: Structural attributes of Steam friendships, and comparison of offline-online social ties of MMO gamers , Juan G. Arroyo-Flores

Family Response to a Diagnosis of Serious Mental Illness in Teens and Young Adults: A Multi-Voiced Narrative Analysis , Douglas J. Engelman

GoFundTransitions: Narratives of Transnormativity and the Limits of Crowdfunding Livable Futures , Hayden J. Fulton

"Courage Drives Us": Narrative Construction of Organizational Identity in a Cancer-Specific Health Non-Profit Organization , Katie J. Hilderbrand

“I woke up to the world”: Politicizing Blackness and Multiracial Identity Through Activism , Angelica Celeste Loblack

The Athletics Behind the Academics: The Academic Advisor’s Role in the Lives of Student Athletes , Max J.R. Murray

Red-Green Rows: Exploring the Conflict between Labor and Environmental Movements in Kerala, India , Silpa Satheesh

Winning “Americans” for Jesus?: Second-Generation, Racial Ideology, and the Future of the Brazilian Evangelical Church in the U.S. , Rodrigo Otavio Serrao Santana De Jesus

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Palatable Shades of Gender: Status Processes at the Intersections of Race, Gender, and Team Formation , Jasmón L. Bailey

American Converts to Islam: Identity, Racialization, and Authenticity , Patrick M. Casey

Meaning and Monuments: Morality, Racial Ideology, and Nationalism in Confederate Monument Removal Storytelling , Kathryn A. DelGenio

"Keep it in the Closet and Welcome to the Movement": Storying Gay Men Among the Alt-Right , Shelby Statham

Selling White Masculinity: An Analysis of Cultural Intermediaries in the Craft Beverage Industry , Erik Tyler Withers

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Role of the Soldier in Civilian Life: Personal and Social Concerns that Influence Reintegration Processes , Matthew J. Ahlfs

“I Want to Be Who I Am”: Stories of Rejecting Binary Gender , Ana Balius

Breaking the Crass Ceiling? Exploring Narratives, Performances, and Audience Reception of Women's Stand-Up Comedy , Sarah Katherine Cooper

An Intersectional Examination of Disability and LGBTQ+ Identities In Virtual Spaces , Justine E. Egner

"I've never had that": An Exploration of how Children Construct Belonging and Inclusion Within a Foodscape , Olivia M. Fleming

Hybridizers and the Hybridized: Orchid Growing as Hybrid "Nature?" , Kellie Petersen

Coloring in the Margins: Understanding the Experiences of Racial/Ethnic and Sexual/Gender Minority Undergraduates in STEM , Jonathan D. Ware

Decreased Visibility: A Narrative Analysis of Episodic Disability and Contested Illness , Melissa Jane Welch

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

“Have a Seat at our Table: Uncovering the Experiences of Black Students Attending a ‘Racially Diverse’ University” , Diamond Briggs

TERF Wars: Narrative Productions of Gender and Essentialism in Radical-Feminist (Cyber)spaces , Jennifer Earles

“Can You Believe They Think I’m Intimidating?” An Exploration of Identity in Tall Women , Elizabeth Joy Fuller

Black Girl Magic?: Negotiating Emotions and Success in College Bridge Programs , Olivia Ann Johnson

"What Are We Doing Here? This Is Not Us": A Critical Discourse Analysis of The Last Of Us Remastered , Toria Kwan

Behind the Curtain: Cultural Cultivation, Immigrant Outsiderness, and Normalized Racism against Indian Families , Pangri G. Mehta

From the Panels to the Margins: Identity, Marginalization, and Subversion in Cosplay , Manuel Andres Ramirez

Examining Forty Years of the Social Organization of Feminisms: Ethnography of Two Women’s Bookstores in the US South , Mary Catherine Whitlock

"There is No Planet B": Frame Disputes within the Environmental Movement over Geoengineering , David Russell Zeller Jr.

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

“You Can Fight Logic…But You Can’t Fight God”: The Duality of Religious Text and Church as Community for White Lesbians in Appalachian and Rural Places , Jessica Mae Altice

Songwriting as Inquiry and Action: Emotion, Narrative Identity, and Authenticity in Folk Music Culture , Maggie Colleen Cobb

Unraveling the Wild: A Cultural Logic of Animal Stories in Contemporary Social Life , Damien Contessa

“It’s Not Like a Movie. It’s Not Hollywood:” Competing Narratives of a Youth Mentoring Organization , Carley Geiss

An Examination of Perspectives on Community Poverty: A Case Study of a Junior Civic Association , Monica Heimos Heimos

"I'm Not Broken": Perspectives of Students with Disabilities on Identity-making and Social Inclusion on a College Campus , Melinda Leigh Maconi

People and Pride: A Qualitative Study of Place Attachment and Professional Placemakers , Wenonah Machdelena Venter

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Mediated Relationships: An Ethnography of Family Law Mediation , Elaina Behounek

The Continuum of Ethno-Racial Socialization: Learning About Culture and Race in Middle-Class Latina/o Families , Maria D. Duenas

Getting Ahead: Socio-economic Mobility, Perceptions of Opportunity for Socio-economic Mobility, and Attitudes Towards Public Assistance in the United States , Alissa Klein

Beauty is Precious, Knowledge is Power, and Innovation is Progress: Widely Held Beliefs in Policy Narratives about Oil Spills , Brenda Gale Mason

Looking at Levels of Medicalization in the Institutional Narrative of Substance Use Disorders in the Military , Chase Landes Mccain

The Experience of Chronic Pain Management: A Multi-Voiced Narrative Analysis , Loren Wilbers

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Resources Matter: The Role of Social Capital and Collective Efficacy in Mediating Gun Violence , Jennifer Lynne Dean

More to Love: Obesity Histories and Romantic Relationships in the Transition to Adulthood , Hilary Morgan Dotson

Dieting, Discrimination, and Bullying: A Contextual Case Study of Framing in the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance , Veronica Kay Doughman

Negotiating Muslim Womanhood: The Adaptation Strategies of International Students at Two American Public Colleges , Amber Michelle Gregory

Checking Out: A Qualitative Study of Supermarket Cashiers' Emotional Response to Customer Mistreatment , Michael E. Lawless

Managing Family Food Consumption: Going Beyond Gender in the Kitchen , Blake Janice Martin

Motherhood Bound by State Supervision: An Exploratory Study of the Experiences of Mothers on Parole and Probation , Kaitlyn Robison

In Search of the Artist: The Influences of Commercial Interest on an Art School - A Narrative Analysis , Michael Leonard Sette

"They're Our Bosses": Representations of Clients, Guardians, and Providers in Caregivers' Narratives , Dina Vdovichenko

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Constructing Legal Meaning in the Supreme Court Oral Arguments: Cultural Codes and Border Disputes , Jeffrey Forest Hilbert

"All Blacks Vote the Same?": Assessing Predictors of Black American Political Participation and Partisanship , Antoine Lennell Jackson

Expectations of Nursing Home Use, Psychosocial Characteristics and Race/Ethnicity: The Latino/a Case , Heidi Ross

Beyond the Door: Disability and the Sibling Experience , Morgan Violeta Sanchez Taylor

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

A Mother's Love: A Narrative Analysis of Food Advertisements in an African American Targeted Women's Magazine , Janine Danielle Beahm

It's a Support Club, Not a Sex Club: Narration Strategies and Discourse Coalitions in High School Gay-Straight Alliance Club Controversies , Skyler Lauderdale

Beyond the Backlash: Muslim and Middle Eastern Immigrants' Experiences in America, Ten Years Post-9/11 , Gregory J. Mills

Competing Narratives: Hero and PTSD Stories Told by Male Veterans Returning Home , Adam Gregory Woolf

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

"Can't Buy Me Wealth": Racial Segregation and Housing Wealth in Hillsborough County, Florida , Natalie Marie Delia Deckard

Friendship Networks, Perceived Reciprocity of Support, and Depression , Ryan Francis Huff

That is Bad! This is Good: Morality as Constructed by Viewers of Television Reality Programs , Joseph Charles Losasso

American Muslim Identities: A Qualitative Study of Two Mosques in South Florida , Azka Mahmood Mahmood

Ethnic Identities among Second-Generation Haitian Young Adults in Tampa Bay, Florida: An Analysis of the Reported Influence of Ethnic Organizational Involvement on Disaster Response after the Earthquake of 2010 , Herrica Telus

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Feral Cats and the People Who Care for Them , Loretta Sue Humphrey

Utilizing Facebook Application for Disaster Relief: Social Network Analysis of American Red Cross Cause Joiners , Jennie Wan Man Lai

Comparative Study of Intentional Communities , Jessica Merrick

More Than Bows and Arrows: Subversion and Double-Consciousness in Native American Storytelling , Anastacia M. Schulhoff

Between Agency and Accountability: An Ethnographic Study of Volunteers Participating in a Juvenile Diversion Program , Marc R. Settembrino

Predictors of Academic Achievement among Students at Hillsborough Community College: Can School Engagement Close the Racial Gap of Achievement? , Warren T. Smith

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Latent Newspaper Functions During the Impact Phase of Hurricane Katrina , Christina A. Brown

The Subjective Experience of PMS: A Sociological Analysis of Women’s Narratives , Christiana B. Chekoudjian

Sacred Selves: An Ethnographic Study of Narratives and Community Practices at a Spiritual Center , Sean E. Currie

Digging It: A Participatory Ethnography of the Experiences at a School Garden , Branimir Cvetkovic

Constructions of Narrative Identities of Women Political Candidates , Amy E. Daniels

“The Best We Can With What We Got”: Mediating Social and Cultural Capital in a Title I School , Jarin Rachel Eisenberg

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The Best Sociology Dissertation Topics

Published by Alvin Nicolas at January 10th, 2023 , Revised On June 10, 2024

Sociology is the study of society, social patterns, social relationships, etc. Essentially, it studies how human society functions and operates. Sociology also examines the process of human interaction, how it is preserved, and what causes it to evolve. As a sociology student, you will gain in-depth knowledge and understanding regarding human interactions and social relationships. Still, you will also learn about crime, social classes, religions, cultures, and more.

As part of your degree programme, you may have to submit a dissertation. The topic that you choose for your sociology dissertation should be trending and relevant. It should discuss an issue that is prevailing in society.

To help you get started with brainstorming for sociology topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your history dissertation.

These topics have been developed by PhD qualified writers on our team , so you can trust to use them for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the topic,  research question ,  aim and objectives , a literature review  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know if you need any help getting started.

Check our  dissertation examples  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

Review the full list of  dissertation topics here.

List of Top Sociology Dissertation Topics

• Current Social Perceptions of the Affirmative Action and Its Effect on Diversity
• The Impact of Socioeconomic Background on Access to Technology 
• An Analysis of Confirmatory Biases on Fake News
• How Changing Demographics Are Reshaping Social Structures
• A Sociological Analysis of the Impact of the Sharing Economy on Consumerism and Social Interaction
• An Analysis of the Changing Face of Work-Life Balance
• The Impact of Applying Sorokin’s Sociology Theory and Religious Activism 
• The Link Between a Teacher’s Motivation and the Academic Performance of Students in Public Schools.
• How the Rise of Social Media Influencers Has Reshaped Social Identity 
• The Role of Marketisation in Reshaping Higher Learning 
• The Evolving Relationship Between Humans and Pets
• The Impact of Education Policy on Social Stratification and Inequality

Sociology Dissertation Topics For Your Research

Topic 1: the sociology of new work from home employment model- an exploratory analysis determining the sociological effects of work from home during covid-19 in the uk.

Research Aim: This research aims to determine the sociological effects of the new work from home (WFH) employment model adopted by organisations during COVID-19 in the UK. It will identify how WFH affected the social and personal lives of employees. Moreover, it will see how these sociological effects translated into their work efficacy. And whether organisations are aware of these effects and what were their human resource (HR) policies to improve their employees’ social lives?

Topic 2: What are the Sociological Determinants of the Gender Pay Gap in Western Society? A Case Study of Multinational Corporations in the USA, UK, Canada, and Germany

Research Aim: This study will find the sociological determinants of the gender pay gap in Western society. It will assess the individuals working in multinational organisations in the USA, UK, Canada, and Germany to see whether their cultures, norms, and traditions impact gender pay in these countries. Furthermore, how do these organisations address the issue of the gender pay gap and their findings on this issue?

Topic 3: Is it Bad to be a Transgender in South Asia? Impact of Transgender Stigmatisation on the Transgender Suicide Rate in the India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

Research Aim: This research will analyse the impact of transgender stigmatisation on the transgender suicide rate in South Asia. It will assess India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as case studies to find out how being a transgender person there and how does it affect their lives and what social factors force them to commit suicide. Moreover, it will identify the steps taken by their local governments to make society more transgender-inclusive and what difference these policies made in the lives of transgender people.

Topic 4: Does Religion Act Differently in Rural and Urban Settings? A Study to Find the Differential Effects of Islam on the Social Fabric of Rural and Urban Societies in Pakistan

Research Aim: This study will find the differential effects of Islam on the social fabric of rural and urban societies in Pakistan. It will determine the factors such as education level, general awareness, usage of technology, etc., that make a difference in how individuals follow religion in Pakistan’s rural and urban settings. Moreover, it will show how these factors play a mediating role between religion and the social fabric of rural and urban societies in Pakistan.

Topic 5: A Critical Examination of Religious Institutions in the UK and their Influence on Social Structure

Research Aim: This research intends to critically examine the role of religious institutions in shaping social structures in the UK. It will identify the channels through which these religious institutions affect individuals, transforming their social networks through changes in their family structures, parenting, religious beliefs, etc. Moreover, it will identify which religion has more effect on the lives of individuals in the UK and whether it is affecting their social and professional lives as well

COVID-19 Sociology Research Topics

Topic 1: the effects of coronavirus on sociology.

Research Aim: The sociological aspects of societies the during coronavirus pandemic. The study will highlight all elements thoroughly.

Topic 2: Sociological opportunities and resources during COVID-19

Research Aim: This study will review the sociological opportunities and resources during COVID-19

Topic 3: Global Sociology and COVID-19

Research Aim: This study will highlight the challenges faced by global sociologist and their contribution to combatting COVID-19.

Topic 4: COVID-19 and the future of society

Research Aim: This study will assess the current situations and damages caused due to COVID-19 and predict society’s future after COVID-19 associating it with social distancing and fears created by the pandemic.

More Sociology Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: impacts of ethnic discrimination.

Research Aim: This research aims to study the impacts of ethnic discrimination on society

Topic 2: Types of discrimination in workplaces

Research Aim: This research aims to study discrimination in workplaces and suggest possible ways to solve it.

Topic 3: Dress codes and their impact on equality

Research Aim: This research aims to address the issues relevant to the imposition of dress codes in workplaces and institutions. It will also identify how far the dress code ensures equality among the staff and what issues and challenges people face due to their religious and cultural backgrounds.

Topic 4: Old-age homes Vs. orphanages

Research Aim: This study will conduct a comparative study on old age homes and orphanages, suggest innovative solutions to improve their conditions and introduce various activities to provide them with a healthy and productive environment.

Trending Sociology Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the impact of race, real estate markets, and neighbourhood dynamics on evictions..

Research Aim: Using quantitative research techniques, the research looks to examine social stratification and inequality in neighbourhoods of the United States with the highest crime rates. The research will examine how various factors may impact social segregation and social mobility.

Topic 2: Is terrorism a social construct?

Research Aim: The research paper will use document analysis as the research technique to identify the extent to which terrorism is socially constructed. The paper will analyse the varying definitions of terrorism and the difficulties that surround them. It will examine events that are labelled terrorist acts based on traditional, legal, and academic definitions.

Topic 3: Analysing the perceptions and responses to female child sex offenders

Research Aim: The research will use qualitative research techniques to understand and explain the perceptions of female child sex offenders and responses to such in the criminal justice system, the media, the public, and social welfare professionals. The purpose of the research will be to bring to the forefront a different perspective from which to analyse expectations towards gender and its effect on gender’s criminological representations.

Topic 4: Stratification in labour markets of the UK after the Great Recession 2007-2009

Research Aim: Using quantitative techniques as a research method, the study will use theories and techniques used for understanding patterns and sources of income inequality to investigate employment inequality. The Great Recession’s consequences of employment inequality will be analysed using race, ethnicity, and gender.

Topic 5: Athletic Privilege & Lack of Conviction

Research Aim: This research will analyse the arrest and conviction of athletes in sexual assault cases between athletes and non-athletes from 200 to 2017. There is a great lack of study on sexual assault arrest and conviction rates among male collegiate and professional athletes. The study will determine if and why athletes receive privileged treatment by the criminal justice system, specifically when accused of felony sexual assault against women.

Topic 6: Predisposition of America’s law enforcement towards racial stereotyping, discrimination, and profiling.

Research Aim: The study will examine law enforcement officers in the United States and the reasons why there is rampant racial bias against African Americans. There has been a surge of police brutality against African American citizens, making it imperative to examine the reasons behind the surge to improve police and community relationships.

Topic 7: The religious perspective of the role and importance of women in modern society: Islam versus Christianity

Research Aim: The main purpose of this study is to identify the roles and importance of women in the modern world while taking a religious perspective. In this study, the researcher will identify the role of women while focusing on the role of women in Islam and how it differs from the role of women in Christianity.

Topic 8: Assessing the impact of cultural differences on organisational communication in MNC’s: a preaching academic and religious knowledge case study of developed countries.

Research Aim: This study will identify the importance of communication in MNCs and the influence of cultural differences that may hinder or increase the level of effective communication within multinational organisations. The researcher will identify major cultural barriers and their relationship with communication within multinational organisations of developed countries.

Topic 9: To explore the significance of having a strong association between religious teaching and academic teaching

Research Aim: The main purpose of the research will be to identify the importance of preaching academic and religious knowledge to students while focusing on the major challenges that teachers can face when combining these two approaches.

Sociology of Gender Dissertation Topics

This has become one of the most prominent areas of sociology in recent times. Over the past five to six decades, an increasing part of public discourse and academic literature has been dedicated to gender equality. However, most of the work in this area of sociology has been done with reference to underdeveloped countries where complex gender issues prevail in societies. Some interesting topics in this area of sociology are suggested below for you to base your dissertation on.

Topic 1: Investigating changing gender roles in society and the effect of media

Research Aim: This research will talk about the changing gender roles in society and evaluate the role of media.

Topic 2: To study the reasons as to why women have been historically excluded from education

Research Aim: This study will talk about the various reasons why women have been excluded from education over the past years.

Topic 3: Studying gender policies in large and diversified multinational companies in the UK with a focus on the role of those policies in eliminating gender discrimination in the workplace

Research Aim: This research will help understand the gender issues in MNCs and will also evaluate the role of gender discrimination policies in workplaces.

Topic 4: To investigate the possible social aspects that could affect societal gender relationships

Research Aim: This research will help evaluate the role of social aspects that impact societal gender relationships.

Topic 5: To study the possible reasons why the role of females in society is influenced by the power politics of a society

Research Aim: This research will help in understanding the reasons why power politics influence females in society.

Topic 6: Do women in developing countries have a greater role to play in income-generating business activities?

Research Aim: This research will focus on women’s work in developing countries. It will evaluate whether they have a more significant role in generating income through different business activities.

Topic 7: The impact of religion in determining the optimum role of females in a society

Research Aim: This research will help evaluate the impact of religion in determining females’ best role in society.

Topic 8: Investigating possible reasons as to why women are discriminated against at work

Research Aim: This research will help investigate the various reasons why women are discriminated against at different workplaces.

Topic 9: To study societal behaviour that shapes gender relations

Research Aim: This research will help study social behaviour, which helps develop gender relations.

Topic 10: Analysing the increasing participation of women in politics and its impact on society

Research Aim: This research will help analyse the increasing participation of women in politics and its impact on society.

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Industrial Sociology Dissertation Topics

Industrial Sociology can be defined as the study of behaviours and motivations of employees in a work environment. Most descriptions in this sociology area are anthropological as if an external observer is commenting on the office’s social environment. Some topics are suggested below if you intend to base your dissertation on this sub-field of sociology .

Topic 1: Studying the most critical aspect of modern industrial societies in the UK

Research Aim: This research will focus on the most essential and critical aspects of modern industrial societies in the UK.

Topic 2: Do societal beliefs and values really influence the role of corporate social responsibility?

Research Aim: This study will talk about various beliefs and values that impact corporate social responsibility.

Topic 3: The sociology of work: From industrial sociology to work, employment and the economy

Research Aim: This research will aim to investigate the sociology of work, i.e. industrial sociology, employment, an+d economy,

Topic 4: Organisational goals or social requirements – what should a worker-supervisor relationship bias be based on?

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand organisational goals or social requirements. The focus of the study will be to study the worker-supervisor relationship.

Topic 5: To investigate the social dimensions of communication in a large and diversified business organisation

Research Aim: This study will investigate the social dimensions of communication in a large and diversified business organisation.

Topic 6: To establish and critically analyse the relationship between work productivity and motivation

Research Aim: This research will talk about the relationship between productivity and motivation. The ties will be critically analysed.

Topic 7: How is society responding to automation in workplaces on workers?

Research Aim: This research will study the impact automation at workplaces has on employees.

Topic 8: To study strategies to ensure the management of cultural diversity and cultural harmony in an organisation

Research Aim: This research will study strategies implemented to manage cultural diversity and harmony in workplaces.

Topic 9: How can fluctuating trends influence employees' social well-being in the role of trade unions?

Research Aim: This research will investigate how employees’ social well-being is impacted by fluctuating trends in the role of trade unions.

Topic 10: To critically analyse the social structure of a multinational firm operating in the UK

Research Aim: This research will analyse the social structure of a multinational operating in the UK.

Economic Sociology Dissertation Topics

Economic sociology can precisely be described as studying the social cause and effect of various economic phenomena. This sub-field of sociology is further divided into a “contemporary” period and a “classical” one.

Economic sociology views the economy as a social institute that deals with the consumption, production, and distribution of products and services. Below are suggested some intriguing economic sociology dissertation topics for you to base your dissertation on:

Topic 1: To investigate the intra-household economic relationships of UK families with a particular focus on ethnic groups

Research Aim: This research will investigate UK families’ intra-household economic relationships. The study will focus on ethnic groups in these families.

Topic 2: To investigate the potentially detrimental effects of the recent economic slump in the social status of members from the secondary labour market

Research Aim: This study will aim to understand the detrimental impacts of the recent economic slump on secondary labourers’ social status.

Topic 3: To identify and study the most prominent sociological dimensions of socio-economic development

Research Aim: This research will identify and study the most prominent sociological dimensions of socio-economic development.

Topic 4: Can socio-economic development be ensured through an informal economy?

Research Aim: This study will explore whether socio-economic development is ensured through the informal economy

Topic 5: To determine whether the communism model can succeed in the UK society

Research Aim: This study will find out whether the communist model in the UK can succeed or not.

Topic 6: To critically review communism and capitalism economic models

Research Aim: This study will critically examine and review the economic models of communism and capitalism.

Topic 7: To study the extent to which international labour migration is affecting the UK’s society

Research Aim: This study will analyse the extent to which international labour migration impacts UK society.

Topic 8: To investigate the economy of the UK in terms of Marx’s criticism of capitalism

Research Aim: This study will investigate the UK economy to view Marx’s capitalism criticism.

Topic 9: Exploring the fundamental principles of economic sociology

Research Aim: This research will explore and examine economic sociology’s fundamental principles.

Topic 10: A critical analysis on the role of gender in the economy of the UK

Research Aim: This research will critically analyse gender roles in the UK economy.

Political Sociology Dissertation Topics

Political sociology primarily deals with the relationship between states and societies. This sub-field of sociology further considers power politics, political conflicts, and micro and macro components of sociology and political science. Here are some intriguing topics about political sociology.

Topic 1: A critical review of the concept of political sociology related to direct democracy

Research Aim: This research will deal with the concept of political sociology concerning direct democracy.

Topic 2: E-governance and the politics of identification: Unique identities, citizenship, and state in contemporary India

Research Aim: This research will discuss a relatively new concept, i.e. e-governance for politics of identification. The main focus of this dissertation will be exploring unique identities, states, and citizenship in India.

Topic 3: Analysing elite theory in political sociology

Research Aim: Elite theory explores power relationships in contemporary society. This research will analyse this critical theory of political sociology.

Topic 4: Evaluating the role of social forces in power politics in the UK

Research Aim: This research will discuss and evaluate social forces’ role in power politics in the United Kingdom.

Topic 5: To determine the extent to which the democratic political model can influence a capitalist society

Research Aim: This research will aim to determine the extent to which a democratic political model can impact a capitalist society.

Topic 6: To study and compare rational-legal and leadership models with respect to the British society

Research Aim: This research will compare relational-legal and various leadership models of British society.

Topic 7: The importance and influence of ethnic minorities in British power politics Ethnic minorities hold huge power in British politics.

Research Aim: This research will explore the importance and influence of all such ethnic minorities in Britain.

Topic 8: Assessing modern politics and the role of globalisation

Research Aim: This research will talk about globalisation and how it impacts and influences modern politics.

Topic 9: Examining the British welfare state system: How does it impact individuals

Research Aim: This research will study and examine the British welfare state system. Furthermore, the study will also learn how this system impacts individuals.

Topic 10: A critical analysis of the Islamic welfare state system

Research Aim: This research will explore the Islamic welfare state system, how it operates, and its impact on society.

Also Read: Psychology Dissertation Topics

Sociology of Culture Dissertation Topics

Cultural sociology is an exciting area of sociology. The cultural norms, beliefs, values, and material and non-material aspects of culture are discussed in detail under this sociology sub-field. Here are some interesting cultural sociology dissertation topics you can choose from:

Topic 1: To study the validity and application of Marx’s conflict theory in British society

Research Aim: This research will discuss the conflict theory presented by Marx and examine its validity and application in British Society.

Topic 2: Investigating how the British native beliefs, norms and values have been influenced by cultural invasion from immigrants

Research Aim: This research will understand how immigrants influence British native beliefs, norms, and values.

Topic 3: Identifying and analysing the scope and dimensions of cultural shock an Asian foreigner can expect to face in the UK

Research Aim: This research will assess and examine how an Asian foreigner can sustain a cultural shock in the UK.

Topic 4: Are there any cultural lags in British society – A literature review from the past 10 years?

Research Aim: This will be an exciting study as it will explore cultural lags in British society—all the evidence from the past ten years assessed under this topic.

Topic 5: Importance of social interactions among cultures – Exploring the good and bad aspects of social interaction among sub-cultures in British society

Research Aim: This research will discuss the various social interactions among different cultures and explore the good and bad social interaction factors among subcultures in British society.

Topic 6: To critically analyse various subcultures in the UK with reference to geography

Research Aim: This research will analyse the different subcultures operating and living in the US regarding geography.

Topic 7: Evaluating the fluctuating principles of counterculture in Britain

Research Aim: This research will help us understand the principles of counterculture in the United States.

Topic 8: Comparing norms and values of modern British society to the culture 20 years ago

Research Aim: This will be a comparative study. The dissertation will compare and contrast the norms and values of modern British society with that of the culture prevalent 20 years ago.

Topic 9: To what extent has the popular culture of the UK transformed over the last few decades?

Research Aim: This research will understand how popular UK culture has changed over the past few years.

Topic 10: Examining culture and globalisation from the perspective of sociology

Research Aim: This research will assess and examine culture and globalisation from the perspective of sociology.

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Education Sociology Dissertation Topics

The sociology of education can be described as how individual experiences and educational institutions can affect education and its outcomes. This sociology area primarily deals with the schooling systems with a focus on adult, higher, and continuing education. Some interesting topics in this field of sociology are suggested below:

Topic 1: Examining the causes of education restriction of females in developing countries

Research Aim: This research will assess and evaluate the underlying causes that restrict females from gaining an education in developing countries.

Topic 2: To investigate the relationship between student performance and teacher behaviour – A study of the hurdles while acquiring education

Research Aim: This research will understand the relationship between student performance and teacher behaviour. The study’s primary focus will be to understand the hurdles that students come across while acquiring education.

Topic 3: A comparison of the facilities provided in private and public sector schools

Research Aim: This research will compare and contrast the facilities provided by private schools to public schools.

Topic 4: A historical review of sociology policies employed by the UK following the Second World War

Research Aim: This research will be a historical review that will study the UK’s policies following the Second World War.

Topic 5: Assessing the extent to which the education structure in the UK has changed due to the social exclusion of youth in educational institutes

Research Aim: This research will study the extent to which the UK’s education structure has changed due to the social exclusion of youth in educational institutes.

Topic 6: Evaluating the importance of social supervision and support in British elementary schools

Research Aim: This research will assess and evaluate the importance of social supervision and support in British elementary schools.

Topic 7: The impact of school background on how children perceive the society

Research Aim: This research will focus on a critical issue, i.e. the impact of school education and background and how it shapes a child’s perception of their society.

Topic 8: The role of British education curriculum in terms of economic and sociological result

Research Aim: This research will understand the British curriculum’s role concerning economic and sociological results.

Topic 9: Investigating the extent to which the UK’s public schools and colleges have been able to establish inter-faith associations among pupils

Research Aim: This research will evaluate the extent to which UK public schools and colleges establish inter-faith associations among students.

Topic 10: Examining the UK’s public school system to identify probable opportunities through which the education gap can be reduced for neglected groups

Research Aim: This research will investigate an important issue, i.e. identify gaps that can be worked on and reduced to include and provide education to neglected groups.

Sociology of Religion Dissertation Topics

The sociology of religion considers religious values and practices concerning sociological theories and methods. Issues covered by this area of sociology include but are not limited to the effect of religion on society and the impact of various social elements such as politics, media, and social interaction on religion.

Contemporary issues such as the role of stereotyping, inequality, and gender in religion will be discussed under the sociology of religion. Here are some interesting topics in this subfield of sociology

Topic 1: To establish the relationship between UK’s educational institutes and religion

Research Aim: This research will discuss the relationship between religion and educational institutes operating in the UK.

Topic 2: The role of religions in marriages in the UK

Research Aim: This research will discuss various religions and their relationship with marriages in the UK.

Topic 3: To determine whether religion plays a role in UK power politics

Research Aim: This research will aim to determine whether religion plays a role in UK power politics or not.

Topic 4: Exploring religious guidelines to help counsel social aspects

Research Aim: This research will outline religious guidelines and regulations that help counsel and direct social aspects in the right direction. Social aspects that will be explored include education, economics and gender.

Topic 5: Limitations that influence society as a single individual or as a whole

Research Aim: This research will aim to discuss the limitations that impact society as a whole as well as individuals.

Topic 6: Assessing the extent to which religious beliefs influence political behaviour in the UK

Research Aim: This research will examine how religious beliefs influence political behaviour in the UK.

Topic 7: Assessing the impact of religious organisations on British social culture

Research Aim: This research will understand how religious organisations impact the British social culture and how culture and religion are interrelated.

Topic 8: Examining the relationship between social change and religion

Research Aim: This research will study the relationship between religion and social change.

Topic 9: Religious diffusion results from social interaction between people from different religions – The case of the UK

Research Aim: This research will assess the various religious diffusion results from social interaction between people belonging to various religions in the UK

Topic 10: Comparing cross-religious values and theories in British society

Research Aim: This will be comparative research based on cross-religious values and theories in British society.

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Comparative Sociology Dissertation Topics

This area of sociology mainly deals with different models of civilisation, including state capitalism, welfare capitalism, socialism, capitalism, and communism. It further incorporates comparisons of social problems such as gender, ethnicity, and race and the comparisons of social institutions such as economy, religion, health, family, and education. Some interesting dissertation topics are suggested below.

Topic 1: Similarities and differences between a welfare state and a capitalist state

Research Aim: This research will explore the differences and similarities between a capitalist and a welfare state.

Topic 2: A comparison of the totalitarian system vs democracy in terms of social progress

Research Aim: This will be a comparative study between the totalitarian system and democracy concerning social progress.

Topic 3: To compare the education systems of America and Britain – How are these systems playing a key role in influencing societal standards?

Research Aim: This research will compare Britain’s and America’s educational systems and assess how they are influencing societal standards.

Topic 4: To identify and discuss the similarities and differences between the British and American labour markets

Research Aim: This research will assess the similarities and differences between the American and British labour markets.

Topic 5: Cultural diffusion and immigration – Has the UK been able to preserve its culture over the last few decades?

Research Aim: This research will discuss whether or not the UK has preserved its culture despite immigration and cultural diffusion.

Topic 6: A Comparison of the family structure in Indian and UK societies

Research Aim: This research will compare the family structure of India with that of the UK.

Topic 7: Comparison of the effect of religion in determining Muslim society and Jewish society in the UK

Research Aim: This research will compare religion’s impact to help determine the Muslim and Jewish society in the UK.

Topic 8: Social inequalities associated with communism and capitalism

Research Aim: This research will examine the social inequalities that are associated with capitalism and communism.

Topic 9: To identify and critically analyse the pivotal gender issues in Chinese society and Russian society

Research Aim: This research will assess the various religious diffusion results from social interaction between people belonging to different religions in the UK

Topic 10: To compare marriage as a social institution in Britain and India

Research Aim: This study will compare marriage as a social institution in the UK and India

Also Read: Science Dissertation Topics

Sociology of Family and Marriage Dissertation Topics

Family and marriage systems of society are significant aspects of this type of sociology. The most prominent topics of discussion within the field of sociology of family and marriage systems include post-marriage social interactions, classes, and dynamics of marriage and associated rituals, marriage system, the impact of social change on families, external and internal social interaction of family, gender dynamics within a family and parent-child relationships. Here are some interesting dissertation topics related to this area:

Topic 1: Analysing the basic structure and size of the UK family from a historical perspective

Research Aim: This research will understand the basic size and structure of a UK family.

Topic 2: The Evolution of UK family structure over the years – A study of the periodic social change

Research Aim: This research will study the evolution of the UK family structure and examine periodic social change.

Topic 3: Examining the extent to which domestic violence in Britain has affected children

Research Aim: This study will assess the extent to which domestic violence in Britain has impacted children.

Topic 4: To determine the causes of increasing domestic violence in UK’s society

Research Aim: This research will help determine the underlying reasons for increasing domestic violence in the UK.

Topic 5: The impact of changing UK’s residential trends on the practices and beliefs of society

Research Aim: This study will examine the impact of changing UK residential trends based on society’s beliefs and practices.

Topic 6: Examining the causes of the increasing divorce rate in the UK

Research Aim: This research will understand the reasons for the increasing divorce rate in the UK.

Topic 7: Assessing the different parenting types and the impact it has on children

Research Aim : This research will discuss and understand the different types of parenting and the impact it has on children

Topic 8: To compare marriages in different subcultures of British society

Research Aim: This research will compare marriages in different sub-cultures of British society.

Topic 9: Assessing the gender roles in a family – Have they changed over the past five years?

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand why they have caused a change in the gender roles in a family.

Topic 10: Analysing the pros and cons of an extended family system and a nuclear family system

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand the benefits and drawbacks of an extended family system and a nuclear family system.

Sociology of Crimes Dissertation Topics

Sociology of criminology or crimes is another exciting area of sociology that investigates the causes, extent, and nature of crimes, focusing on control strategies at societal and individual levels. It should be noted that the term “Crime” is defined as any act that is a direct violation of state law.

Topic 1: Determining the probable causes of increasing street crimes in London

Research Aim: This research aims to understand why they have caused an increase in street crimes in London.

Topic 2: To establish the relationship between increasing domestic violence and alcohol consumption

Research Aim: This research will assess the relationship between increasing domestic violence and alcohol consumption.

Topic 3: Determining the reasons as to why stabbing crime in the UK has steadily increased and its implications for British society

Research Aim: This research will help understand the reasons behind the increasing rate of stabbings in the UK.

Topic 4: Is the UK government providing accurate crime statistics – A review of the crime data collection techniques employed in the UK?

Research Aim: This research will examine the data collection techniques employed by the UK government and will assess whether accurate crime statistics are provided or not.

Topic 5: Is there a link between street crimes and alcohol consumption?

Research Aim: This research will determine whether street crimes and alcohol consumption are related or not.

Topic 6: A Critical analysis of the evolution of criminological theories

Research Aim: This research will critically analyse the evolution of criminological theories.

Topic 7: To establish the relationship between criminal behaviour and personality type

Research Aim: This research will assess whether a relationship exists between criminal behaviour or different personality types.

Topic 8: The role of social inequality in increasing street crimes in the UK

Research Aim: This research will help us understand the role of social inequality concerning increasing street crimes in the UK.

Topic 9: To present avenues of crime prevention with a focus on alternatives to physical punishment

Research Aim: This research will discuss crime prevention with a particular focus on physical punishment alternatives.

Topic 10: A critical review of the UK government’s crime prevention strategies and policies – Are they delivering the desired outcomes?

Research Aim: This research will present a critical review of the various crime prevention strategies and whether they are delivering desirable results or not.

Important Notes:

As a student of sociology dissertation looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing sociology dissertation theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.

The sociology dissertation field is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like human rights , philosophy , religion & theology and more. That is why it is imperative to create a sociology dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic based on your fundamental research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your case wrong: your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in a cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

Keeping our advice in mind while developing a research topic will allow you to pick one of the best sociology dissertation topics that fulfill your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalising your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please look at some of our sample sociology dissertation topics to get an idea for your dissertation.

How to Structure Your Sociology Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

• A Title Page
• Acknowledgements
• Declaration
• Abstract: A summary of the research completed
• Table of Contents
• Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
• Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths whilst identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic, and binding terms can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
• Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
• Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs , charts , and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
• Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section of the paper is to draw a linkage between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regard to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
• References : This should be completed following your University’s requirements
• Bibliography
• Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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How to choose a dissertation topic sociology.

• Pick a topic that excites you and aligns with your coursework.
• Consider research resources and data accessibility.
• Refine your broad topic into a focused research question.
• Strive for a fresh perspective within an existing field of study.
• Discuss potential topics with your advisor to ensure fit.

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Sociology Dissertation Proposal

Sociology 5450.

Research Topics & Ideas: Sociology

50 Topic Ideas To Kickstart Your Research Project

If you’re just starting out exploring sociology-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research by providing a hearty list of research ideas , including real-world examples from recent sociological studies.

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . These topic ideas provided here are intentionally broad and generic , so keep in mind that you will need to develop them further. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

To develop a suitable research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan to fill that gap. If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Sociology-Related Research Topics

• Analyzing the social impact of income inequality on urban gentrification.
• Investigating the effects of social media on family dynamics in the digital age.
• The role of cultural factors in shaping dietary habits among different ethnic groups.
• Analyzing the impact of globalization on indigenous communities.
• Investigating the sociological factors behind the rise of populist politics in Europe.
• The effect of neighborhood environment on adolescent development and behavior.
• Analyzing the social implications of artificial intelligence on workforce dynamics.
• Investigating the impact of urbanization on traditional social structures.
• The role of religion in shaping social attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights.
• Analyzing the sociological aspects of mental health stigma in the workplace.
• Investigating the impact of migration on family structures in immigrant communities.
• The effect of economic recessions on social class mobility.
• Analyzing the role of social networks in the spread of disinformation.
• Investigating the societal response to climate change and environmental crises.
• The role of media representation in shaping public perceptions of crime.
• Analyzing the sociocultural factors influencing consumer behavior.
• Investigating the social dynamics of multigenerational households.
• The impact of educational policies on social inequality.
• Analyzing the social determinants of health disparities in urban areas.
• Investigating the effects of urban green spaces on community well-being.
• The role of social movements in shaping public policy.
• Analyzing the impact of social welfare systems on poverty alleviation.
• Investigating the sociological aspects of aging populations in developed countries.
• The role of community engagement in local governance.
• Analyzing the social effects of mass surveillance technologies.

Sociology Research Ideas (Continued)

• Investigating the impact of gentrification on small businesses and local economies.
• The role of cultural festivals in fostering community cohesion.
• Analyzing the societal impacts of long-term unemployment.
• Investigating the role of education in cultural integration processes.
• The impact of social media on youth identity and self-expression.
• Analyzing the sociological factors influencing drug abuse and addiction.
• Investigating the role of urban planning in promoting social integration.
• The impact of tourism on local communities and cultural preservation.
• Analyzing the social dynamics of protest movements and civil unrest.
• Investigating the role of language in cultural identity and social cohesion.
• The impact of international trade policies on local labor markets.
• Analyzing the role of sports in promoting social inclusion and community development.
• Investigating the impact of housing policies on homelessness.
• The role of public transport systems in shaping urban social life.
• Analyzing the social consequences of technological disruption in traditional industries.
• Investigating the sociological implications of telecommuting and remote work trends.
• The impact of social policies on gender equality and women’s rights.
• Analyzing the role of social entrepreneurship in addressing societal challenges.
• Investigating the effects of urban renewal projects on community identity.
• The role of public art in urban regeneration and social commentary.
• Analyzing the impact of cultural diversity on education systems.
• Investigating the sociological factors driving political apathy among young adults.
• The role of community-based organizations in addressing urban poverty.
• Analyzing the social impacts of large-scale sporting events on host cities.
• Investigating the sociological dimensions of food insecurity in affluent societies.

Recent Studies & Publications: Sociology

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual sociology-related studies to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of recent studies to help refine your thinking. These are actual studies,  so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Social system learning process (Subekti et al., 2022)
• Sociography: Writing Differently (Kilby & Gilloch, 2022)
• The Future of ‘Digital Research’ (Cipolla, 2022).
• A sociological approach of literature in Leo N. Tolstoy’s short story God Sees the Truth, But Waits (Larasati & Irmawati, 2022)
• Teaching methods of sociology research and social work to students at Vietnam Trade Union University (Huu, 2022)
• Ideology and the New Social Movements (Scott, 2023)
• The sociological craft through the lens of theatre (Holgersson, 2022).
• An Essay on Sociological Thinking, Sociological Thought and the Relationship of a Sociologist (Sönmez & Sucu, 2022)
• How Can Theories Represent Social Phenomena? (Fuhse, 2022)
• Hyperscanning and the Future of Neurosociology (TenHouten et al., 2022)
• Sociology of Wisdom: The Present and Perspectives (Jijyan et al., 2022). Collective Memory (Halbwachs & Coser, 2022)
• Sociology as a scientific discipline: the post-positivist conception of J. Alexander and P. Kolomi (Vorona, 2022)
• Murder by Usury and Organised Denial: A critical realist perspective on the liberating paradigm shift from psychopathic dominance towards human civilisation (Priels, 2022)
• Analysis of Corruption Justice In The Perspective of Legal Sociology (Hayfa & Kansil, 2023)
• Contributions to the Study of Sociology of Education: Classical Authors (Quentin & Sophie, 2022)
• Inequality without Groups: Contemporary Theories of Categories, Intersectional Typicality, and the Disaggregation of Difference (Monk, 2022)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest.  In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

Get 1-On-1 Help

If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

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Home > School, College, or Department > CLAS > Sociology > Dissertations and Theses

Sociology Dissertations and Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Social Reproduction on Campus: Quantitative Investigations into the Reproduction of Gender and Socioeconomic Inequality through Higher Education , Ned William Tilbrook

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

How Unequal Access to Personal and Professional Networks Impacts Success Among Construction Apprentices , Cameron Elliot Arnold

Left Out to Dry: Understanding the Social Experiences of Ground Depletion in Washington State's Columbia River Basin , Alexis Lisandro Guizar-Diaz

"The Call is Coming from Inside the House": Tracing Experiences in the Institutionally-Centered Process of Establishing Limited Conservatorships in California , Barbara Alison Imle

The Experiences of Black Women Direct Care Workers in Long-Term Care , Nakeshia Knight-Coyle

Earthbound in the Anthropocene: Spirituality, Collective Identity, and Participation in the Direct Action Climate Movement , David Alan Osborn

Son Otros Tiempos: Generational Experiences of Male Friendships Amongst Mexican and Mexican American Men , Marisela Rodríguez Molina

"We Just Have to Trust the People in White Lab Coats": Analyzing Distrust in Vaccine Hesitant Comments on the HHS Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities Proposed Rule , Hima Bindu Lakshmi Vedantham

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Does Instructional Autonomy Matter? Exploring Job Satisfaction for Math and Non-Math Teachers in Low, Middle, and High SES Schools , Hannah Sean Ellefritz

Cultural Capital and Community Cultural Wealth: A Study of Latinx First Generation College Students , Affiong Eyo-Idahor

Leaving College Without a Degree: The Student Experience at an Urban Broad Access Institution , Andrea Marie Garrity

Treatment Disparities in Emergency Medical Services: The Influence of Race/Ethnicity, Obesity, and English Proficiency , Jamie Kennel

"Damn, man. The time that I lost": Power and the Process of Diagnosis for Women with Chronic Illnesses , Kaitlin Roquel Yeomans

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

What Does it Mean to be Deaf? Changing Meanings of Deafness, Communication Technology, and Beliefs about Normality in the US , Kathryn Elizabeth Burrows

Values of Young Adults in an Increasingly Secular World , Joseph Daniel Eichenlaub

Exploring "What Works" in Veterans Affairs Home-Based Primary Care , Elizabeth Catherine Hulen

Decolonizing Healthcare: a Black Feminist Analysis of Sisters Informing Sisters on Topics of AIDS (SISTA) , Joy Mutare Fashu Kanu

Reducing Transphobic Attitudes: a Cross-National Investigation of College Students in Japan and the United States , Kazusa Seko

The Digital Divide and Health: Examining Digital Access as a Social Determinant of Health , Elizabeth Melissa Withers

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Outsiders Within Inequality Regimes: a Sociological Framework to Advance the Lives of Women Veterans , Sarah Louise Aktepy

The Experience of Female Caregivers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , Nouf Albugami

Working From Home: Analyzing the Autonomy of App-Based Adult Content Creators , Jenna DePasquale

Smoking Behaviors in Patients Offered Lung Cancer Screening , Sara Elizabeth Golden

Transitioning into Conventional Housing: Narratives of Houseless Individuals , Joyce La Belle McNair

"Not 'Just' a Barista": the Story of Portland's College-Educated Baristas , Ned William Tilbrook

Exploring How Community College Transfer Students Experience Connection in a Commuter University , Christa Michelle Zinke

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Understanding the Politicization of Oromo Identity in the Diaspora: Re/ Locating the Bones of the Oromo , Madeline Jaye Bass

Radical Doulas Make "Caring a Political Act": Full-spectrum Birthwork as Reproductive Justice Activism , JaDee Yvonne Carathers

Concerted Cultivation, Academic Achievement, and the Mediating Role of Non-Cognitive Factors , Bryant Carlson

Convivial Clothing: Engagement with Decommodified Fashion in Portland, OR , Sarah Guldenbrein

Closure or Censure? Examining the Determinants of Disclosure of Sexual Assault Among College Students , Whitney Head-Burgess

Gender and the Voir Dire Process , Tasha Ann Lane

"What About the Men? Investigating Alcohol Consumption, Masculinities, and Risky Sex in Peri-Urban Eswatini , Aaron Jackson Levine

An Investigation of the Impact of High School Student Fine Arts Course Accumulation on Mathematics Course Achievement , Daniel Mackin Freeman

The Influence of Age at Migration on Criminal Offending Among Foreign-Born Immigrants , Omar Melchor-Ayala

Evaluating the Utility of Theories of Social Integration in Understanding Areal Suicide Rates in the United States , Nathan Finch Parsons

Reproduciendo Otros Mundos : Indigenous Women's Struggles Against Neo-Extractivism and the Bolivian State , Gisela Victoria Rodriguez Fernandez

Racial Disparities in a State Based Workers' Compensation System , Caroline Kristine Smith

Family, School, and Forms of Capital , Sonja Taylor

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Who Am I? Criminal Social Identity as a Mediator in the Relationship between Criminal Peers and Criminal Attitudes within a Sample of Probationers/Parolees , Quinton Thomas Alexander

Finding Common Ground: Relationship Building and Communication between PO and Client within a Community Supervision Setting , Carl Eugene Appleton

White Space, Black Space: Community Gardens in Portland, Oregon , David Ross Billings Jr.

Selling Protest in the News? Movement-Media Framing of Occupations: an Exploratory Study , Andrew David Butz

"Tindersluts" & "Tinderellas:" Examining Young Women's Construction and Negotiation of Modern Sexual Scripts within a Digital Hookup Culture , MacKenzie A. Christensen

The Gender Gap in Postsecondary Enrollment Intentions: the Mediating Role of Student Attitudes and Behaviors , Paul J. Deppen III

The Dispute Over the Commons: Seed and Food Sovereignty as Decommodification in Chiapas, Mexico , Carol Frances Hernández Rodríguez

Reconciling the Opportunities and Obstacles of Motherhood Following Corrections Involvement , Summer Brooke Newell

Exiters of Religious Fundamentalism: Reconstruction of Identity, Social Relationships and Support, and Meaning Related to Well-Being , Andreea Alexandra Nica

Representations of Feminist Theory and Gender Issues in Introductory-Level Sociology Textbooks , Jena Amber Zarza

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Framing Homelessness as Crisis: A Comparative Content Analysis of Local Media Reports on Portland's Tent Cities , Katrien Cokeley

Stereotype Threat and Effects of Students' Perception of Their Math Teacher's Fairness on Their Math Self-Efficacy , Alexis Jocelyn DeVigal

The Efficacy of Virtual Protest: Linking Digital Tactics to Outcomes in Activist Campaigns , Rina Lynne James

Living Between Worlds: Arrival and Adjustment Experiences of the Somali Community in Portland, Oregon , Neil A. Panchmatia

"Neither of the Boxes": Accounting for Non-Binary Gender Identities , Erin Patricia Savoia

Contexts of Reception and Constructions of Islam: Second Generation Muslim Immigrants in Post-9/11 America , Shahriyar Smith

"Are We Building Biking Solidarity": Gendered, Racial, and Spatial Barriers to Bicycling in Portland, Oregon , Kyla Jean Tompkins

When You Aren't Who Your Friends Are: the Moderating Influence of Racial Similarity on the Association Between Friendships and Mental Well-Being , Philip Tostado

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Inequality, Position, and Perception: Understanding and Addressing Workplace Harassment in Oregon's Construction Trades , Sasha Mae Bassett

Local Approaches to Regional Problems: Suburban Government Responses to Portland's Regional Housing Crisis , Emma Deppa

Examining Generational and Gender Differences in Parent-Young Adult Child Relationships During Co-residence , Lauren Elizabeth Ferguson

The Use of Anti-Bullying Policies to Protect LGBT Youth: Teacher and Administrator Perspectives on Policy Implementation , Michelle Lauren Holliday

Does the School Day Matter? The Association Between Adolescent School Attachment and Involvement and Adult Criminal Behavior , Madeline O'Neil

On Both Sides of the Tracks: Light Rail and Gentrification in Portland, Oregon , Nathan Eric Rochester

Transgender Patients' Experiences of Discrimination at Mental Health Clinics , Corrine Ann Stocking

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Does Gender Matter? Human Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka: A Gendered Analysis of Human Elephant Conflict and Natural Resource Management in a Rural Sri Lankan Village , Katherine Eileen Griffin

Staying on Script: Sexual Scripts and Sex Education , Elizabeth Carol Hauck

Activist Doctors: Explaining Physician Activism in the Oregon Movement for Single-Payer Healthcare , Jennifer Cullen Loomis

Gender Difference in Working Parents' Perceptions of Work/Family Conflict and the Role of Occupational Prestige , Heather Kirsten McCabe

Democratizing the City Through the Colonization of Public Space: A Case Study of Portland Food Not Bombs , Trent Adam Saari

Use of Role and Power in Parent-Teacher Relationships: Perceptions from the Parent Perspective , Sonja Taylor

Therapy and the Nontraditional Transgender Narrative , Dylan Ellingson Waller

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Gender and Prescription Painkiller Misuse: Findings from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health , Robin Jo Clough

Illuminating the Experiences of Single Fathers , Heidi Rosa Esbensen

Mediating Academic Success: Race, Class, Gender and Community College Persistence , Schaylee Marie Esparza

Victimization, Separatism and Anti-intellectualism: An Empirical Analysis of John McWhorter's Theory on African American's Low Academic Performance , Marlon DeWayne Marion

Trauma-Informed Research and Planning: Understanding Government and Urban Native Community Partnerships to Addressing Substance-Exposed Pregnancies in Portland, OR , Amanda Mercier

Socio-spatial Transformation and Contested Space at the Street Level in Latin America: The Case of Cali, Colombia , Maria Janeth Mosquera Becerra

Beyond the McNair Program: A Comparative Study of McNair Scholars' Understandings of the Impacts of Program Participation on their Graduate School Experiences , Cristina Restad

The Impact of Documentation Status on the Educational Attainment Experiences of Undocumented Hispanic/Latino Students , Brittanie Alexandria Roberts

Racism, Heterosexism, Depression, and HIV Risk Behaviors of Native Men Who Have Sex With Men: Findings from the HONOR Project , Matthew Alan Town

"But There's a Black History Month": A Content Analysis of Ideological Framing and Presentation in White Nationalist Publications , Dylan Tomas Waite

Cultivating Common Ground? A Case Study of a Community Garden Organization in Northeast Portland, Oregon , Bryan James Zinschlag

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

First-Generation Latinos at Pacific Northwest University: Their Adjustment and Experience during Freshman Year , Marco Antonio Aguirre

"We don't have any of those:" Looking for leaders in the horizontal structure of Occupy Portland , Aaron Martin Bach

Queer! Narratives of Gendered Sexuality: A Journey in Identity , Kym Bradley

The Effects of Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Religion on Formal End-of-Life Planning , Tina Dawn Lillian Burdsall

I'm Not Gonna Be Like That Guy: Exploring the Montana Meth Project Through the Eyes of That Guy , Jaysen Nicole Ferestad

A New Low in Getting High: Illegal Drug Use and Crime , Erica Jean Ferrelli

The Use of Music as a Pedagogical Tool in Higher Education Sociology Courses: Faculty Member Perspectives and Potential Barriers , Jerry C.L. Loveless

Division of Labor within the Household: The Experience of Bosnian Immigrant Women in Portland, Oregon , Miro Paljevic

Can Cross-Race Mentoring Help Minority Students and Break Down Prejudice? Mentoring Experiences in Higher Education , Jennifer Brooke Rainer

From College to Career: Understanding First Generation and Traditional Community College Transfer Students' Major and Career Choices , Jeff Scott Shelton

Learning to Adapt: Online Social Science Instruction in Higher Education , Patrick Steven Smith

The Economic Impact of Veteran Status: The Effect of Veteran and Demographic Statuses on Household Income , Danielle Standridge

"Game Over" for the Climate: The Keystone XL Pipeline on TV News , Elisabeth Wilder

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Assessing Environmental Inequality in Portland, Oregon: An Exploration of Local Environmental Justice Struggles , Jordan Douglas Folks

Atheist Scripts in a Nation of Religiosity: Identity Politics within the Atheist Movement , Jacqueline Frost

Understanding the Role of Patient Activation in the Association between Patient Socio-Economic Demographics and Patient Experience , Katsuya Oi

Gendering Gardasil: Framing Gender and Sexuality in Media Representations of the HPV Vaccine , Maura Kathleen Pisciotta

Understanding Sand Mining on the Maha Oya: The Conflict Between Economic and Environmental Survival , Meredith Corea Talbert

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Sociology Research Proposal (L4056)

30 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

The aim of this module is to give you direct experience of designing a small-scale research project or a theoretical study. It is intended to build on your knowledge on research methods if you complete an empirical research project, as well as the theoretical, conceptual and substantive knowledge gained throughout your degree.

You work mainly through independent study, under the guidance of a supervisor.

Contact hours and workload

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2021/22. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

This module is offered on the following courses:

• Criminology and Sociology BA
• History and Sociology BA
• International Relations and Sociology BA
• Philosophy and Sociology BA
• Politics and Sociology BA
• Sociology BA
• Sociology and International Development BA
• Sociology with Media Studies BA
• Sociology with a Language BA