The social issues research paper First it starts

The social issues research paper First, it starts with a problem.

Try this: Comb the news Spend 10 -15 minutes looking through the homepages of Google News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox, Huffington Post, the New York Times, the Atlantic, Time, National Geographic: what’s going on? Find at least 10 stories that are resonant to you & write down the general topics.

Research Problem There are four general conceptualizations of a research problem in the social sciences: Casuist Research Problem -- this type of problem relates to the determination of right and wrong in questions of conduct or conscience by analyzing moral dilemmas through the application of general rules and the careful distinction of special cases. Difference Research Problem -- typically asks the question, “Is there a difference between two or more groups or treatments? ” This type of problem statement is used when the researcher compares or contrasts two or more phenomena. Descriptive Research Problem -- typically asks the question, "what is. . . ? " with the underlying purpose to describe a situation, state, or existence of a specific phenomenon. Relational Research Problem -- suggests a relationship of some sort between two or more variables to be investigated. The underlying purpose is to investigate qualities/characteristics that are connected in some way.

What makes a good research topic? 1. Compelling topic 2. Supports multiple perspectives 3. Researchable NOTE: Do not confuse a research problem with a research topic. A topic is something to read and obtain information about whereas a problem is something to be solved or framed as a question that must be answered.

Problem statement #1 Lots of people think that being some sort of vegetarian is the only humane and moral option for animal lovers. They fail to take into account the full range of farming techniques and livestock-raising schemes available in the United States. Until they cease to be so single-minded, vegetarians will never recognize their natural political allies. Organic and free-range farming are humane and moral options for animal-lovers.

Problem statement #2 The use of sexuality as a marketing tool has become a commonplace in the world of advertising. In the past few years, however, some companies have used sexually-oriented ads to generate controversy (and therefore sales) by pushing the limits of acceptable taste. Calvin Klein, for instance, recently ran a series of magazine ads featuring a nearly nude Kate Moss in positions that suggest bestiality, masturbation, and violence. If we care at all about the kinds of sexual messages being presented to our children, then ads like this one are simply unacceptable. It is the responsibility of the U. S. government to create a new agency whose role it will be to monitor the use of sexual content in magazine advertisements.

4 parts to a problem statement: Status Quo: current unsatisfactory state of affairs Destabilizing Moment: challenges reader’s commitment to current state of affairs or prevailing wisdom Consequences: cost of leaving situation unresolved Response: what should be done CONCEPTUAL PROBLEMS change the way the reader thinks. TANGIBLE PROBLEMS can be solved by action

What I need by Friday Problem statement Whether conceptual or tangible