how to write a thesis statement for sociology

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Developing a Research Topic and Focused Thesis Statement

A thesis statement clearly identifies the topic being discussed, includes the points discussed in the paper, and is written for a specific audience. Your thesis statement belongs at the end of your first paragraph, also known as your introduction. Use it to generate interest in your topic and encourage your audience to continue reading. 

Most researchers start out with a broad topic of interest and then narrow it down to a particular area of focus and question. If a topic is too broad, you will find too much information and the project will be unmanageable. It will be far easier for you to research and write your paper if you develop a strong focused research question or topic:

Do some exploratory research  on your topic idea, in your course textbook, class notes, and Mardigian Search to identify specific issues, arguments, and analytical approaches in your research area and then identify possible relationships between them. 

Ask yourself questions  about your topic idea:

• What concepts, issues, or other aspects of this topic interest you?
• What are the major issues, debates, and disagreements of the topic you are studying?
• What gaps, contradictions, or concerns arise as you learn more about it?
• What relationships are there between different aspects of the topic?
• How does the topic relate back to the larger themes discussed in your course(s)?

Focus your topic:   Use the information from your exploratory research to identify a few of the specific aspects that interest you and then use the questions you had about those to create your focused research question and thesis statement. 

Write about what interests you:  Professors want students to write about topics that they care about. If you're interested in the topic, it will be more fun for you to write your paper and probably more fun for your professor to read it, too.

Ask your course instructor or study advisor for feedback on your research question and thesis statement.

Picking Your Topic IS Research

Once you've picked a research topic for your paper, it isn't set in stone. It's just an idea that you will test and develop through exploratory research. This exploratory research may guide you into modifying your original idea for a research topic. Watch this video for more info:

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Thesis 101: A Guide for Social Science Thesis Writers

Welcome to the harvard library, finding a researchable question, finding scholarly resources in your field, covid-19 - information & resources, helpful library services & tools.

• Subject Guide

Sue Gilroy , Librarian for Undergraduate Writing Programs and Liaison to Social Studies  ([email protected])

Diane Sredl , Data Reference Librarian and Liaison to the Department of Economics ([email protected])

Kathleen Sheehan , Research Librarian and Liaison to the Depts. of Government, Psychology & Sociology ([email protected])

Congratulations on choosing to write a senior thesis! This guide brings together resources and information to help you as you work though the thesis research and writing process.

What is Already Known

Handbooks  are a stock-in-trade for academic researchers. Typically, they're edited volumes, with chapters written by authorities -- or recognized experts, and they synthesize current "consensus" thinking around a particular topic, the most widely accepted perspectives on a topic  They usually contain extensive bibliographies which you can mine as well.

• Cambridge Handbooks O nline
• Cambridge Histories Online
• Oxford Handbooks Online
• Very Short Introductions

Current Trends & Questions

Literature reviews  are essays that help you easily understand—and contextualize—the principal contributions that have been made in your field. They not only track trends over time in the scholarly discussions of a topic, but also synthesize and connect related work. They cite the trailblazers and sometimes the outliers, and they even root out errors of fact or concept. Typically, they include a final section that identifies remaining questions or future directions research might take.

Among the databases for finding literature reviews, we recommend you start with:

• Annual Reviews offers comprehensive collections of critical reviews by leading scholars.
• Web of Science can be a powerful tool in uncovering literature reviews. A keyword topic search in Web of Science much like HOLLIS, will return results that you can then sift through using a variety of left-side filter categories.  Under document type, look for the review.  

Prioritizing My Reading  

• Oxford Bibliographies Online combine the best features of the annotated bibliography with an authoritative subject encyclopedia. Entries identify key contributions to a topic, idea, person, or event and indicate the value of the work. 
• Anthropology
• Social Studies
• Multidisciplinary

Research Guide:

• Anthropology Research

Key Databases:

• Anthropology Plus
• Anthropology Online

Library Research Contact:

Susan Gilman , Librarian for Tozzer Library

• Economics Research  
• Business Source Complete
• Business Premium Collection

Diane Sredl , Data Reference Librarian

• Library Research Guide for History  
• America History & Life
• Historical Abstracts

Fred Burchsted , Research Librarian

Anna Assogba , Research Librarian

• Sociology: a Guide to Research Resources
• Sociology Database
• Social Sciences Premium  

Kathleen Sheehan , Research Librarian

• Government: a Guide to Research Resources
• Worldwide Political Science Abstracts

Social Studies tends to be so interdisciplinary that it's sometimes hard to offer students  a "one-size fits all" starting point.  

Research Guides :

• Research Guides for Social Studies 98 (junior tutorials) may also cover -- broadly speaking -- an area of interest and you may find some leads there. But the 1:1 consult often can't be beat for  locating the databases and the primary sources that are  best suited to your project! 
• If your thesis is applied, our Social Sciences Premium database is sometimes, along with HOLLIS , a good jumping off point. 
• If your thesis is theoretical,   resources like Phil Papers or Philosopher's Index are also recommended.  

Sue Gilroy , Liaison to Social Studies, Lamont Library

• Contemporary Issues in Psychology

Key Database:

• Web of Science

Michael Leach , Head, Collection Development, Cabot Library

Research Guides:

• Research Travel Checklist
• HOLLIS User Guide
• Public Opinion Sources
• Beginner's Guide to Locating and Using Numeric Data
• Conducting Research Interviews: Selected Resources
• Academic Search Premier
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• Zotero: Getting Started  - A tool for saving, organizing and formatting your research sources.
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The contents of this Guide are drawn largely from other Guides authored by Sue Gilroy, Librarian for Undergraduate Writing Programs and Liaison to Social Studies.

• Last Updated: Feb 26, 2024 1:50 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.harvard.edu/thesis101

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Sociology Senior Thesis Writer's Workshop

Senior Thesis Components

Writing with sources.

For all your writing, please check out the  Harvard Guide to Writing with Sources  and follow ASA Style .

Prospectus and Statement of Intent

Example: Statement of Intent

Here are two sample statements of intent. The files here correspond to the sample prospectuses found below.

Statement of Intent #1

Statement of Intent #2

Example: Prospectus

Here are two sample prospectuses from past students. Note that these are samples only to be used to help you write the prospectus and all details of your specific project must be approved by your advisor.

Sample Prospectus #1

Sample Prospectus #2

Introduction

Examples: Introductory Chapters

Here are two sample introductory chapters. Intro #2 combines a brief literature review with an introduction, as it was appropriate to the project. Intro #1 is a more distinct introductory chapter and does not include much literature, instead saving that for a lit review chapter.

Annotated Intro

Literature Review

How to Write a Lit Review

Christy Ley (2013 DWF) - The Thesis Writing Process and Literature Review

Ann Owens - Notes on the Literature Review

Lit Review Web Resources

Kathleen Sheehan is the Sociology department library liaison, and she is happy to help if you are having trouble doing your library research. Contact Kathleen directly at  [email protected] .

How to Write a Literature Review (UCSC)

Review of Literature (Univ of Wisconsin)

The Literature Review (Deakin University)

The Literature Review--A Few Tips on Conducting It (University of Toronto)

Examples: Lit Reviews

Lit Review #1 corresponds to Intro #1 and Interview Guide #1 so you can see how the pieces fit together.

Annotated Lit Review

Lit Review #1

Lit Review #2

Data and Methods

Data Collection: Sampling, Interviewing, and Survey Methods

Eva Rosen's Presentation on Interviewing

Mario Small: Lost in Translation . This is a great (and short) article by Mario Luis Small to help you think about sampling issues, particularly for qualitative work.

Survey Research Resources

Writing Your Thesis Methods and Results

Examples: Instruments

Sample Surveys

Sample Interview Guides

Interview Guide #1

Interview Guide #2

Examples: Data and Methods Chapters

Annotated Methods

Methods #1 . This is quantitative and may be more technical than many senior theses

Methods #2 . This is an interview-based study.

Examples: Results Chapters

Annotated Results 1

Annotated Results 2

Results 1 . This is from a mixed-methods thesis. The quantitative portion may be more technical than most theses. (Corresponds to Methods 1)

Results 2 . This is from a qualitative thesis. The first results chapter includes some basic quantitative description. (Corresponds to Methods 2)

Discussion and Conclusion

Examples: Conclusions

Annotated Conclusion

Conclusion 1

Conclusion 2

Data Analysis Tools

Eva's Atlas.ti Workshop

Atlas.ti 5.0 Manual

Eva's 10/4 and 10/12 Workshop notes

Example: Coding Scheme

Coding Scheme #1

For Qualitative Research:

Guide to the Basics of Atlas.ti

Overview of Atlas.ti

For Quantitative Research:

UCLA Stata Site

IQSS Training Courses

Revising and Polishing

Revising and Polishing Your Thesis

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Tips for Writing Analytical Sociology Papers

This document is intended as an additional resource for undergraduate students taking sociology courses at UW. It is not intended to replace instructions from your professors and TAs. In all cases follow course-specific assignment instructions, and consult your TA or professor if you have questions.

• DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!  You must cite all sources you use—not only for direct quotations, but also for data, for facts that are not common knowledge, and very importantly for ideas that are not your own.  The UW policy on academic honest explains what plagiarism is, but also the consequences for students found to have committed it: http://www.washington.edu/uaa/advising/help/academichonesty.php
• It is generally expected that you state your argument (usually called a "thesis statement") in the first couple paragraphs (preferably the first). For theory application papers, this would include mention of the theory or argument you are applying and the case or empirical phenomenon to which you are applying it.
• Introductions and conclusions are important: they are the first and last impression given to your readers. A good introduction summarizes what the author does in the paper, and sets up ("motivates") the analytical problem or question. It is sometimes referred to as a "roadmap" for the paper.  Some writers find it effective to present an interesting or controversial statement or a quote in the introduction to gain the reader's attention. However, you should make certain that the quote or information is actually relevant to your thesis (your main argument)!
• A good conclusion almost always restates the argument and the evidence brought to bear.  This is not a place to introduce new evidence or make new claims.  However, you might address unresolved issues, why we should care about the topic of the paper, directions for future research, etc.
• Once you have completed the paper, you should revisit the introduction and conclusion to make sure that they "match" each other, and that they reflect the argument you make in the body of the paper.
• Most analytical sociology assignments should not rely upon personal anecdotes, experiences, or opinions as "data" to make an argument.  This varies by assignment—for example, some ask you to incorporate personal experiences and opinions.  If you are unsure, check with your instructor or TA.
• It is considered appropriate to use subject headers in longer analytical papers, as it helps guide the reader and organize your argument.
• Unless you are instructed otherwise, it can be helpful to write analytical papers in first person (using "I statements"): this helps you avoid passive constructions, wordiness, and confusion about voice (who is arguing what).  If your instructor prefers that you avoid the first person in your papers, you can write "This paper argues…" in order to distinguish your voice from that of the authors/theories/articles you discuss.
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Writing Resources

Lesson plan: writing thesis statements.

To help students identify aspects of a strong thesis statement and work on revising thesis statements

Total Estimated Time

20-25 minutes

Work Completed Before Class  

Students will have completed at least one full length writing assignment. Two introductory paragraphs from these assignments are selected to be circulated in class. Ideally these paragraphs will each have identifiable strengths and weaknesses.  

• The aims of a thesis statement
• Expresses the main idea or proposition of your essay
• Tells your reader where the essay is going
• A clear position or argument
• Justifies discussion
• Expresses one main idea which governs the essay
• Is specific

Step 2: A handout is distributed which contains the two introductory paragraphs. 

Step 3: Students are asked to think about the following questions in relation to each paragraph:

• What is the thesis?
• What are its strengths?
• What are its weaknesses?
• How well does it meet the criteria for a successful thesis?

Step 4: Provide students with some strategies for thesis revision.

• Underline all of the generic words – e.g. people, things, societies.  Consider more specific substitutes.
• Underline words or phrases that need to be unpacked. Ask yourself questions to develop these ideas. 
• Examine the verbs. Eliminate linking verbs (is, was, has been, should be) whenever possible and substitute strong action verbs.
• Check thesis for broad sweeping claims that will be difficult to support with evidence.

Step 5: Ask students to provide specific advice for each of the authors about how they could go about revising the thesis statements.

Developed at Brandeis University through a grant from the Davis Educational Foundation

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Faculty Spotlight

"Writing is not only something to be taught reactively through feedback on drafts, but also proactively using exercises that help students think critically about the choices they will make when constructing papers." 

How to write thesis statements in Sociology

• Teaching Students to write papers we assign   - Provides a set of concise information on how to breakdown the assignment of writing and how to write in a sociological context.
• Thoughts on writing a sociology paper   - In the format of an article, it describes each step in the process of writing with regard to sociology.
• How to write a sociology paper  - Suggestions on what a good sociological thesis consists of is outlined on the second page of the specification; also includes other helpful advice on other components to a well written paper.
• Some quick tips on writing sociological paper   - Includes a small tidbit on what a thesis should address.
• Brief guide to the Sociology/Sociology & Anthropology Thesis  - "Single-spaced description of the study that summarizes the statement of the research questions or hypotheses, research design and summary of major findings."

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Professor Sarah Burgard Wins LSA Meet the Moment Initiative Grant for Health Equity Research

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U-M’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts has awarded $4.7 million to five new faculty research projects that are seeking to enact global change across multiple fields and disciplines. Known as the LSA Meet the Moment Research Initiative, LSA Dean Anne Curzan notes the initiative's efforts to combat “generational challenges that impact us socially, politically, and economically… The five projects selected showcase how the liberal arts are addressing some of these challenges in a way that will create long-term and meaningful change in our world.”

Spearheading one of the five winning projects, U-M Sociology Professor Sarah Burgard’s team has secured financial support for research examining health inequity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Burgard’s project, titled "Shaping Real World Policies to Tackle Persistent Health Inequities using Randomized Early Access to COVID-19 Vaccinations through Michigan Medicine," secured nearly $2 million in funding. This study will examine early access to COVID-19 vaccination data from Michigan Medicine to evaluate various health inequities faced by marginalized communities. This research project seeks to inform future health policy guidance. 

Burgard's multi-disciplinary team includes Amanda Kowalski (Economics), Yanna Krupnikov (Communication & Media), and Abram Wagner (Public Health). With the support of LSA, Professor Burgard's project joins a growing list of Meet the Moment-funded research endeavors aimed at creating progressive change. As the five projects commence on July 1, 2024, we look forward to witnessing the innovative research efforts of Professor Burgard and others who are seeking to address some of today’s most challenging issues. 

Learn more about the 2024 LSA Meet the Moment Initiative Grant winners . 

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