Social Science Research Topics

Like science itself, social science is a very broad subject with many sub-disciplines. Generally, social science uses the scientific method to predict, explain and justify different kinds of social trends and arrangements. Examples of sub-disciplines include sociology, anthropology, history, economics and criminology.

Crime Prevention

Finding appropriate ways of preventing crime and responding to criminal acts is a very important and timely research topic in the social sciences. Traditionally, many societies have operated according to a deterrence principle. The idea behind this approach is that if we punish law-breakers, it will deter both the law-breakers and others in society at large from committing further crimes. However, this assumption has recently come under heavy criticism. Alternatives to this approach to crime prevention are a very hot topic in criminology. One, called Restorative Justice, focuses on repairing relationships rather than punishing offenders.

Economic Regulation

Due in part to the financial crisis that first gripped the world in 2008, many are debating the correct balance of free market economies and economic regulation. Those who support more free market-based policies are typically concerned with decreased economic efficiency that will result from more regulation. Those who support regulation worry that free market-based policies will cause further disasters like the one experienced in 2008. While these descriptions are over-simplifications, they are excellent starting points for beginning research on economic regulation.

Religious Affiliation

Studies of religious affiliation vary widely in their approaches. Some studies ask people only what religious denomination they identify with. Others go more in-depth and investigate how many people actually practice their religion on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis. Still others ask people about their view of the Bible, i.e. whether they think it should be taken literally or metaphorically. Frequency of prayer is another research topic often found in the social sciences. Perhaps the most controversial topic asks people whether or not they believe in God. These are important research topics because they influence significant policy decisions in government and the private sector.

Education

Education is another important research topic in the social sciences. Approaches to such studies include what percentage of individuals graduate high school and what percentage go on to pursue higher education. These studies may be further broken down, asking questions about the ethnicity, religion, cultural practices and economic background of the students under consideration. These studies are extremely important, as they effect education policy decisions that may influence multiple generations of students.

References

• Social Science Reserach Council: Programs
• FamilyFacts.org: Topics
• John Howard Society of Ontario: Crime Prevention