DETAILS ON RESEARCH ESSAY
OBJECTIVE:
- Research, prepare, and report on a detailed topic related to the materials dealt with in
this course
- Find a topic that interests you or one you would like to investigate further
- Analyze a particular social phenomena or social problem (e.g. social justice, wealth,
suicide, drug use, crime, illiteracy, disease/illness, poverty, racism etc.) What does it tell
us about society? What are its causes? What segments of the population (demographics)
is affected most by this social phenomena?
- The research essay represents 20% of your final grade.
THE RULES:
- Utilize a minimum of 5 written sources
- The entire research essay project is broken into three parts:
- Prospectus (10 pts): 100 words maximum, summarizing paper focus
- Outline (15 pts): demonstrating the organizational plan of your paper
- Research Essay (75 pts): 10 pages, double-spaced, 1” margin on all sides, written in
regular prose (full sentences, etc.)
CONTENT:
The content of your final research essay should include the following:
Introduction: Statement of the research focus. What is this essay about? Why is this topic significant? Why is it relevant to the issues posed by the study of sociology?
Review of Literature: What is the existing literature on this topic? What are the different research methods and theoretical perspectives used by researchers in this area? What are the gaps in this literature (unanswered questions, continuing controversies, unheard voices, unexplored methods, etc.)? Thus, what does this essay propose to accomplish as a contribution to the further development of this literature?
Principal Research Findings: How does your research follow from the review of existing work? What were the principal findings of your research? Present a description of empirical and historical materials to highlight selected aspects of the issue or problem.
Theoretical Implications: Offer a theoretical interpretation of the research findings. What is the theoretical significance of the research? Can you offer a ‘new’ theoretical ‘take’ on the issue?
Implications for the Future: What remains to be done? Present a set of questions for future research.
Conclusion: Provide a brief summary of the principal research findings and reiterate the major theoretical and policy implications
References: Present a bibliography.
Sources should be cited using the following academic formats:
Journal/magazine article:
Diamond, J. (1989) “This-Fellow Frog, Name Belong-Him Dakwo” in Natural History,
Vol. 4, pp. 16-19
Book:
Greer (2005) Ethnoecology of Taro Farmers and Their Management of Hawaiian
Wetlands and Endangered Waterbirds in Taro Agroecosystems. Seattle,
Washington: University of Washington.
Website:
TNC (2008) "Wyoming: A New Threat Looms in Yellowstone" downloaded on 9/26/08 at: <www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/wyoming/preserves/
art25597.html?src=home>
Appendices: Data tables, figures, photos, maps, and other graphic and descriptive data relevant to the presentation of the research findings and theoretical work.
GRADING:
- Late prospectus’, outlines, and essays will receive automatic point reductions
- Essays not meeting college-level work will be returned ungraded, papers must be
rewritten with the assistance of the Writing Lab and resubmitted for a final grade
Please let me know if you have any questions – I’ll be glad to answer them.
Nan M. Greer
Office: SSCI-105
Email: nangreer@hawaii.edu