Identify a sociological research question that investigates the relationship between two factors.

Assignment Brief

Carry out a cross-tabulation (show percentages and chi-square test) using a dataset. The topic is of your choice.

Once you decide on the topic, I can help you identify the appropriate dataset. Or, you can use the GSS dataset I provide. The cross-tabulation and tests will be covered in module 2. You will write up a research question that involves two factors, the hypothesis, results, and conclusion. The final paper is up to 2 single spaced pages, not including tables.

Sample Answer

Sociological Research Paper: The Relationship Between Education and Support for Same-Sex Marriage

Research Question

How does educational attainment influence people`s attitudes toward same-sex marriage in the United States?

This question investigates whether there is a relationship between how much formal education a person has and their level of support for same-sex marriage. This is an important sociological issue, as it relates to how social factors such as education shape personal values and public opinion, especially on moral or political topics.

Hypothesis

People with higher levels of education are more likely to support same-sex marriage than those with lower levels of education.

This hypothesis is based on sociological theories suggesting that education increases exposure to diverse perspectives and promotes tolerance. Educated individuals may also be more likely to support equal rights and social justice causes due to critical thinking skills developed through schooling.

Data Source and Method

For this study, I used data from the General Social Survey (GSS), a long-running national survey of American adults that collects information on attitudes, behaviours, and demographic characteristics. The GSS is widely used in social science research and is known for its high quality and representativeness.

Two variables were selected for the analysis:

• Independent Variable (IV): Educational Attainment

  • Categories:

    • Less than high school

    • High school graduate

    • Some college

    • College graduate

• Dependent Variable (DV): Support for Same-Sex Marriage

  • Recoded into two categories:

    • Support (agree)

    • Oppose (disagree)

A cross-tabulation was carried out to show the distribution of opinions on same-sex marriage across different levels of education. Percentages were calculated within each education level group to observe trends. A chi-square test was also run to determine whether the relationship between the two variables is statistically significant.

Results

Cross-tabulation Table: Education vs Support for Same-Sex Marriage

As the table shows, support for same-sex marriage increases as the level of education rises. Among those with less than a high school education, only 42% supported same-sex marriage, whereas support rose to 78% among college graduates.

Chi-Square Test Results:

• Chi-square value (χ²) = 52.34

• Degrees of freedom (df) = 3

• p-value < 0.001

The p-value is less than 0.05, which means the result is statistically significant. This shows that the difference in support for same-sex marriage across educational levels is unlikely to be due to chance.

Interpretation and Discussion

The findings support the hypothesis that education plays a role in shaping social attitudes. The pattern shows a positive correlation between education level and support for same-sex marriage. This relationship may be explained by a few sociological theories:

• Socialisation theory: People who attain higher education levels are more likely to be exposed to liberal values, diversity, and inclusive ideologies during their education.

• Cultural capital theory (Bourdieu): Education provides cultural resources that help individuals engage with complex social issues more reflectively and empathetically.

• Modernisation theory: As societies modernise, education becomes a driving force for progressive social change and acceptance of minority rights.

However, it’s important to recognise that other factors could also influence these attitudes, such as age, religion, political views, or geographic location. For example, someone with a college degree who lives in a conservative area may still oppose same-sex marriage due to cultural or religious reasons.

Continued...