Sample of research questions:

Topic: Body Image

Thesis: How to increase media literacy in our children to mitigate the media’s negative
effects on body image.

Research Questions:

1. Why is the media an issue in relation to body image?

2. What background information is necessary to understand this issue?
a. What is body image and how is it developed?
b. How does the media play a part in this development?
3. What are some of the effects of this link between media and body image?
a. Positive effects?
b. Negative effects?
4. Is there any research suggesting that children who understand the nature of media
are less inclined to suffer the negative effects?
5. What can be done to increase media literacy in developing children?
6. Based on all I have read, what do I think about the role of media literacy in
mitigating the effects of the media on body image?

Topic: Homelessness

Thesis: What can be done to stem the recent surge in the area’s homeless population?

1. What is homelessness and why is it an important issue?

2. What background information is necessary to understand this issue?
a. What causes homelessness?
b. What are the effects of homelessness?
c. Is it even possible to “cure” homelessness?
2. What can be done to help the homeless find permanent residences?
3. What can be done to help the chronically homeless who won’t get permanent
residences?
4. Based on my research, what do I feel should be done to address the recent surge in the
area’s homeless population?
Topic: Criminology

Thesis: What causes criminal behavior, and does the U.S. criminal justice system
adequately address the causes?

Research Questions:

1. Why is the origin of criminal behavior a relevant issue?

2. What is criminal behavior?
3. What are the theories about why people engage in criminal behavior?
a. Biological/Physiological
i. Summary of theory?
ii. Research in field?
b. Psychological/Psychiatric
i. Summary of theory?
ii. Research in field?
c. Sociological
i. Summary of theory?
ii. Research in field?
2. How do these different theories affect how people view criminals/criminal behavior.
a. Public opinion
b. Structure of U.S. criminal justice system?
5. After all I have read, what are my conclusions?
a. What DO I think causes criminal behavior?
b. Given this belief, do I believe the U.S. criminal justice systems effectively
addresses criminal behavior?

Topic: Video Games

Thesis: If a common-sense philosophy is employed, video games can be beneficial to a

child’s development.

Basic Research Questions:

1. What are video games and why is this an issue

a. Statistics
b. Stories
2. What is the necessary background information on my topic?
a. Brief history of video games
3. What are commonly seen as some of the negative aspects of video games?
a. Negative physical effects
b. Negative cognitive/psychological
 4. How can I refute this research? (What research describes the positive aspects of
video games?)
a. Positive physical effects.
b. Positive cognitive/psychological effects.
5. What are some “common sense” strategies parents can employ concerning video
games?
6. Based on my research, why do I conclude video games are beneficial?

Topic: Online Social Networks

Thesis Question: What are the benefits and drawbacks of online social networking for
children?
Supporting Questions:
1. What is online social networking and why is it an important sociological issue?
2. What is the necessary background information?
a. What role does peer socialization play in a child’s development?
b. In the past, what were the ways in which children socialized with their peers?
c. How has that changed in the past 10-15 years?
2. What research illuminates the positive effects of online social networking?
3. What research details negative effects of online social networking?
4. Based on my research, what can I conclude about the benefits and drawbacks of online
social networking?

Topic: Generation X
Focus: Who is Generation X, and what role do they play in modern society?

1. What is Generation X and why is this topic important? (intro)

a. Statistics?
2. What background information is necessary to understand Generation X? (body)
a. How and why the term “Gen X” came to be?
b. Controversy over name/”slacker” designation?
3. What are the positive traits commonly attributed to Gen X? (body)
4. What are the negative traits commonly attributed to Gen X? (body)
5. Based on my research, what do I believe to be true and Gen X and why? (conclusion)