Complete the outline after you have done library / Internet research for evidence that bears on your hypothesis. Provide information about all of the following components of the final paper:
1. Specific Hypothesis.
2. Applicable Sociological Concepts.
3. Practical Implications. Discuss the value of sociological research into your issue. Determine whether or not there are (or would be) practical implications of sociological inquiry into this issue.
4. Evidence. This is the most important part of the paper. Analyze at least two (2) lines of evidence that pertain to the hypothesis that you are evaluating. Does the evidence support your hypothesis? For each type of evidence, consider possible biases and alternative interpretations.
5. Conclusions. Draw conclusions based on the evidence that you have discovered. Does the evidence confirm or refute your hypothesis? Is the evidence sufficiently convincing to draw firm conclusions about your hypothesis?
For example, here is a generic example of what the headings of your possible outline might look like:
I. Specific Hypothesis.
II. Applicable Sociological Concepts.
a. Theory A
b. Concept 1
c. Concept 2
III. Practical Implications.
a. Implications for public policy
i. Education
ii. Taxes
b. Implications for employers
c. Implications for spouses of workaholics
4. Evidence.
1. Line of evidence 1
i. The evidence and what it means
ii. Possible biases
iii. Alternative explanations of what it means.
2. Line of evidence 2
i. The evidence and what it means
ii. Possible biases
5. Conclusion(s): All available evidence refutes the hypothesis, but there are alternative explanations.