11 Smart Sociology Research Topics That Will Get You an A

Brittany has lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for most of her life and enjoys writing meaningful content that is helpful to others.

Sociology is a fascinating field of study. If you're taking a sociology class or interested in doing some independent research, this list can help you get started.

What is Sociology?

Sociology is the study of groups of people and their cultures, customs, practices. Because this topic is so broad, and our culture is always changing, the possibilities for writing and research are endless. With sociology, you can research just about anything, from Beyonce to Scientology.

This list will also guide you to make your own, original topic. The top ten sociological subjects are listed below with plenty of ideas for your research.

What is Covered By Sociological Research?

The list is organized around 10 umbrella topics, each with its own set of mini-topics. These umbrella topics include:

1. Race, Nationality, and Ethnicity
2. Mass Media
3. Sociology of Food
4. Youth Cultures
5. Sociology of Gender and Sexuality
6. Social Movements
7. Cults, Clans, and Communities
8. Class Conflict and Inequalities
9. Spirituality, Superstition, and Legends
10. Consumerism
11. The Family

1. The Sociology of Race, Nationality, and Ethnicity

Race, nationality, and ethnicity are some of the most written about subjects in sociology. The classical sociologist Emile Durkheim discussed the effects of origin on a person and the solidarity that they feel with others from the same or similar origin. Sociologists like to study these bonds as well as the effects of difference.

Census data provides raw data for literally thousands of research papers. The following are some sociological topics on race, nationality, and ethnicity:

Race

• Racial Segregation in Cities
• The Correlation between Class and Race
• [insert race] and Education Levels
• Interracial Marriage Then and Now
• Racial Stereotypes and their Effects
• Culture and Race: Is Environment More Important than Race?
• Attitudes Toward Race and Police Brutality
• Race Riots: What's the Cause of Racial Unrest?
• Relationship Between Race and Class
• Relationship Between Race and Educational Levels

Ethnicity

• Ethnicity and Race: What is the Difference/What is the Correlation?
• How Ethnicity Affects Class
• Multi-Ethnic Individuals and their Position in Society
• Multicultural Society and the Dominant Culture
• How the Italians and Irish Became "White"

Nationality

• Patriotism in [insert country]
• How [insert plural nationality] views [insert plural nationality]
• Nationality and Pride: What Makes a Patriot?
• Immigration and Assimilation
• America: Melting Pot or Salad Bowl?

2. The Sociology of Mass Media and Social Media

One of the most interesting topics of sociological research is the media. What we see on television, in magazines, and in theaters has an effect on us as members of society. There are endless topics to study in the media. Below is a list of topic ideas.

How ________ are Presented in the Media

• [insert a race]
• Young Women
• Women
• Men
• Young Men
• Children
• Disabled Individuals
• Celebrities [choose one]
• The Disabled

Scroll to Continue

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The Media's Target and Portrayal for Profit

• What Commercials Play at What Times During the Day? [Also, which channels do they play on?]
• Who Consumes the Most [insert genre] Music?
• Sexuality and Disney Movies
• Romantic Comedies and Women
• Gym, Tan, Laundry: A Study of Jersey Shore and its Viewers
• Children's Television
• Ratings and New Technologies: How Youth Watch Television

Social Media

• Youth and Social Media
• Social Media and Celebrity
• Harassment and Bullying on Social Media
• Social Networking in the New Millennium
• Twitter vs. Facebook vs. Instagram: Who Uses Each and Why?
• Does Social Media Make Us Lonely?
• Does Social Media Promote Narcissism?

3. Sociology of Food and Eating

Food culture is a very interesting topic to research not only because of how food is produced and distributed but also because of how it's consumed. Here are some possible research topics for those of you who want to learn more about how our food is grown, distributed, and consumed.

How Food is Made

• Where Does Food Come From? Meats, Vegetables, and More
• How Does [insert fast food place] Make their Food?
• Food Laws and Regulations
• Which Companies Supply Food to the US?
• The Use of Pesticides in Farms
• Monsanto Seeds
• The Seed Bank
• Farmers Markets and The "Slow Food" Movement
• The Rise of "Organic" Farming

How Food is Distributed

• Import-Export Practices around the World
• Food Packaging Messages
• The Locations of Fast Food Chains in Relation to Low-Income Areas
• The Geographical Difference in Food Distribution: Class Inequality

How Food is Consumed

• The Difference in Serving Sizes Over Time
• Do You Know What's In Your Food? A Study of Nutritional Facts and Food Education
• Where Do People Eat?
• Family Dinners and the Modern Day
• [Insert Country/State/City] Food Culture
• Are We What We Eat? A Study on Obesity
• Child Obesity
• Has Technology Changed the Way We Eat?
• Vegetarians, Vegans, and Others with Personal Food Regulations
• How the Media Advertises Food
• Attitudes Toward GMOs
• How Eating Habits Change Over Time

4. The Sociology of Youth Culture Today

Youth culture is another fascinating sociological topic. Young people belong to many subcultures, which they illustrate in their attitude, clothing, music, and more. Studying these cultures allows us to understand how our world works—particularly how the media affects youth because the majority of American media consumers are between the ages of 14 and 21.

• Hip Hop Culture in the '80s, '90s, and 2000s
• Punk: Anarchy, Rebellion, and Revolution
• Extreme Sports Culture: Surf, Skate, and Snow
• How Adolescents are Affected by the Media
• "Emo" Culture: The Self-Destructive Teen
• Mean Girls: A Study of Competition between Young Women
• Jock Culture
• At-Risk Youth and Deviant Behavior
• Messages Promoted in [insert genre here] Music
• Masculinity and Femininity in High School
• Cliques and Outcasts: A Study of a High School Social Structure
• Bullying
• Cyber Bullying
• Maturity and the Media: Are Teens Pressured to Mature as Fast as their Favorite Stars?
• Sex and Adolescents

5. The Sociology of Gender and Sexuality

The gender divide has been one of the most important subjects that sociologists study because it exists in every culture around the world. Men and women have always been opposites in society, which has contributed to numerous inequalities. The following is a list of sociological research topics on gender.

• Gender Inequality on the Job
• Gendered Occupations: Nurses and Contractors
• Women in the Workplace
• Transgendered Individuals
• Homosexuality and How it is Portrayed in the Media
• "Coming Out": Feared or Loved
• The Gender Bias: How Men and Women are Treated Differently in Law, Media, and Social Interactions
• Anorexia and Women
• Gender Stereotypes in [media/workplace/region]
• The Feminist Revolution
• Women's Rights and Movements
• The White (Man's) House

6. The Sociology of Social Movements

Studying social movements and revolutions can illuminate how communities that share the same beliefs and goals form. Social movements are always surfacing, which makes them current as well as historical, so choosing a topic is easy!

To study a movement, just choose a movement or a group of people. In addition to studying the movement itself, you can also choose to research its oppression or support, formation, accomplishments (or downfall), or its impact on society at large. Here are some movements to get you started:

• The Civil Rights
• Feminism (Suffragettes)
• Occupy Wall Street
• Animal Rights
• The French Revolution
• Nazism
• Prohibition
• The Tea Party
• Disability Rights
• Gay Rights (Gay Marriage)
• Fair Trade
• Human Rights
• Anti-Nuclear Movement
• American Indian Movement
• #BlackLivesMatter
• Anti-Psychiatry
• Anti-Vaccination

7. The Sociology of Cults, Clans, and Communities

People in society want to be a part of a group that shares their same beliefs. Sometimes these groups become so united that they are destructive, whereas some of the groups create solidarity, community, and fellowship.

The following is a list of religions, cults, and other groups that share similar beliefs and can be studied.

• Moonies
• Christians
• Catholics
• Ku Klux Klan
• Nazis
• Hindu
• Buddhist
• Charles Manson
• Judaism
• Antoinism
• Scientologists
• Montana Doomsday Religious Cult - "Church Universal and Triumphant"
• Scientology
• Heaven's Gate
• Branch Davidians
• The People's Temple (Jim Jones)
• Aum Shinrikyo (Japanese cult responsible for 1995 sarin gas attack on Tokyo subway)

8. The Sociology of Class Conflict and Inequality

Classes are treated differently in every society. Because the inequalities are so deeply embedded in our society, it is difficult to eliminate them. Geographically, classes are segregated, which further complicates the pursuit of equality. Here are some topics to study:

• Class and Geographical Segregation
• Ghettos and Gated Communities
• Food in Rich and Poor Areas
• Schools in Low-Income Neighborhoods
• Taxes and Wages
• The Effects of the Ghetto on Youth
• The "Ghetto" Cycle: A Study of Recidivism and No Opportunities
• Wealth and Race
• City Funding and District Zones
• The Geography of Upward Mobility
• The "Culture of Poverty"
• The Relationship Between Poverty and Education
• Class and Parenting Styles
• The Welfare State
• Class and Contentment: Does Money Buy Happiness?

9. The Sociology of Spirituality, Superstition, and Folklore

One of my personal favorite topics to write about is ancient Hawaiian culture. The ancient Hawaiians have many myths and legends. Sociological studies about myths and legends study the purpose behind cultural storytelling. Below are some interesting cultures and legends to get you started.

• Leprechauns
• Dolphins and the Amazon
• Pele, the Hawaiian Fire Goddess
• Viking Legends
• Egyptian Legends (Tombs, Afterlife, and Tut)
• Biblical Events
• Pandora's Box
• Mayan Culture
• Lochness Monster
• The Legend of the Three Sisters
• Big Foot
• Alien Abductions

10. The Sociology of Consumerism

Research about commodities can be done with little fieldwork. Information can be found mostly with available data online and in books. Try writing on one of the following:

• Vinyl Records or Music in other forms
• Currency/Gold/Rare Gems and Minerals (Inflation, Deflation)
• Art
• Artifacts (Rare or Other)
• Antiquities
• Technology
• Oil
• Food
• Entertainment
• Celebrity
• Fashion Accessories
• Toys
• Services/Wages

11. Sociology of the Family

The family is another fascinating topic for sociologists. Not only do most people have a family, but one's family is often incredibly influential in one's life, for better or worse! Since our view of what a family is and should be is changes culturally and historically, there's always something different to research. Here are a few topics to get you started:

• Unconventional Family Structures
• Influence of Parents on Child Behavior
• Long-Term Effects of Child Abuse
• Cross-Racial Adoption
• Effects of Divorce on the Family
• Single Parenting
• Family Differences Across Race and Ethnic Groups
• Teenage Mothers

Comments

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jay on August 26, 2020:

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Mohammad Nawaz on May 21, 2020:

Nice job done

ria on April 14, 2020:

made my life easier thank you !

Atah Anthony on April 07, 2020:

This site has just giving me the best tips and facts that helps me study personal at home. Thanks for your ideas.

Sabina subba on March 12, 2020:

Good ideas for research

Durojaiye Mary. on February 26, 2020:

Really interested on effect of divorce on family especially the children

Rak on February 26, 2020:

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amina on February 16, 2020:

Good vert Nice

Bosco Amayo on January 18, 2020:

The Topics are Very Wonderful. Great work!

Wachira Muyah on January 03, 2020:

Good insight....

Ali expresse on January 02, 2020:

Wow very nice

HISHAM on November 09, 2019:

I am glad to read your web it is good to help such kind of student.

Khan on November 03, 2019:

I am in 12 class can I use these topics for my sociology project 2019 - 20 please reply me as soon as possible

amanda on September 24, 2019:

these are all amazing topics. thanks for the help

Shaleen Temah on September 19, 2019:

Hi everyone please I want to write on culture industry. Can some one help me to reframe my topic "Making Culture an industry in Today's Cameroon. Thanks while i wait

phillippa kenny on September 18, 2019:

iam glad to read your article. it really helps me a lot in my studies ad a spociology students

ANAM on September 09, 2019:

someone suggest me a good research topic related to sociology

Askia Mohammed Prince - Ghana on September 06, 2019:

very interesting research topics and areas. I will try my hands on one of them and my findings will definately to benefit society

Fakridin Abdulkadir on July 13, 2019:

Iam glad to read your web it is good to help such kind of student whose study sociology so i want research on mass media

Ayushi on May 23, 2019:

I am a sociology student guys plz suggest me a good topic for my survey.

Deepak Raj Joshi on April 20, 2019:

Hello, I am from Nepal and would like to do research on recent on growing spiritual knowledge and its social aspects. What could be the best research title and any literature related to this ?

senarath ranasinghe on April 06, 2019:

if we can find spiritual sense through northern Asian religious and can we find through in that social disciplinary

barb on March 06, 2019:

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Hlo frnds..im studying ba Sociology.. on December 12, 2018:

Pls suggest sociology related project topics

imtiaz bangash on November 06, 2018:

hello dears i am final year student of BS sociology please suggest me research topic relating sectarianism in pakistan

Alyssa Martinez on November 04, 2018:

Hello

I am a sociology major taking my 100W course and I am having a hard time finding a research topic. I have to choose a sociological issue and come up with a research question, any ideas?

stemsworth on October 22, 2018:

someone give me a good topic for sociology

smrithi on July 12, 2018:

help me out with a topic for my reserch plss

Harshita on May 24, 2018:

Anyone over here please suggest me a best topic for my sociology project

yuniDAgothGOAT on May 11, 2018:

shut up all of you, you'll never have a girl like me! /.\

shahwarseo@gmail.com on April 27, 2018:

Hello Guys i am sociology student, i have a problem to choose between the immigration sociology and the organisation sociology and after seeing this article i'm thinking about the culture of food.Plese any help to choose the right topic

Shafaq on March 19, 2018:

Anyone over here please suggest me a good thesis topic ... i am a student of sociology

Shizette on February 13, 2018:

Great article, as a Sociology major myself, I always wondered whether I should study further into Sociology, as I have never focused on it after graduating. I agree though, its a fascinating subject.

Kalyfia Louison on February 08, 2018:

ohhhh

sooo many options

but it seems a bit difficult to choose

june on November 29, 2017:

the topics are all good, and i am having a rough time to choose a topic for my research. by the way i am a sociology student. your topics is really helpful. keep up your good works.

malakarth on November 22, 2017:

Hello Guys i am sociology student, i have a problem to choose between the immigration sociology and the organisation sociology and after seeing this article i'm thinking about the culture of food.Plese any help to choose the right topic

i would appreciate any help!

MILDAH on September 03, 2017:

it was such a wonderful experience to have visited this site. i really enjoyed looking at various research topics.

mesfinee on August 07, 2017:

try to add more than this!

JAHCOM on May 03, 2017:

With a BA in Sociology, it is fascinating to see Sociology of food. However, I am so much tied to the "family", the foundation of every society. How families and families' values affect society, and so forth.

Thanks for sharing.

Katherine on March 26, 2017:

what are some examples of sociological topics that would be hard to qualify into survey questions?

Ashwin on January 30, 2017:

great article! GJ

Nasir Ali on January 12, 2017:

Key Topics...Good Effort...!Appreciate it...:)

nisar hussain on February 29, 2016:

it is very interesting subject . I like it so much as well as i love it i want to start my career in this field and research . very one of those who have interest this field help each other plz

thank you so much

Authenticz HubPage from North America on January 29, 2016:

Great read. Explored the windows of sociological research. Writer organized many areas of sociology to conduct new reads.

Anders Salmonsen on December 17, 2015:

Thanks so much!!! Learned so much and I feel so knowledgable now!!! For Realzz

Chelsea Frasure from Idaho on December 08, 2015:

Thanks for the article. I particularly liked the ideas about social media, specifically about whether or not it lends to Narcissism.

I'm currently studying the Bandwagon Effect in regards to spiritual beliefs and urban legends.

cara jeanne on July 06, 2015:

i am a sociology major and sometimes it really hard for me to look for a topic in which happening as societal phenomena. this site really helps me a lot and feed my mind some ideas i may use on my research topics..thanks ms. brittanytodd :) keep it up !

Yigrem Tadesse on June 25, 2015:

I like very much and interested in sociology. It helps us to have sociological imagination to see and understand the world in different way.

Ogunsumi Joel on June 24, 2015:

Its a wonderful compilation here, really helpful at projecting one's topic.Kudos!

Brandon Hart from The Game on February 02, 2015:

Mass Media can drastically change how people think and act. If we are able master this then we can get people to think or act in whatever way we want or choose.

Liza Treadwell Esq aka Liza Lugo JD from New York, NY on January 30, 2015:

brittanytodd, thank you for this wonderful hub. I love everything about it. It is well-written, interesting layout, well-organized, and very useful. I write a lot about the law and social issues; so, I am going to bookmark this hub. These lists are very helpful not only for those who are in college but for those of us who write professionally.

Kudos to you! You make a difference with your writing; and I am looking forward to reading more of your work.

Christy Maria on January 08, 2015:

As a sociology student this is a very helpful article to read!

MJ Martin aka Ruby H Rose from Washington State on December 08, 2014:

I didn't realize how many sociology subjects I liked until I read your wonderful list. What a great list to do research from. #10 would be a good start for me. Your photos and videos give much food for thought.

Amanda Oneal from St. Petersburg, Florida on June 17, 2014:

Very insightful article; I enjoy the study of sociology so much. The study of mass media is probably the most interesting to me, as it deals with the psychology of popular belief, desires and motivations.

Thanks for the article!

Primel on February 06, 2014:

This is so awesome, I'm due to write a research report this year and hopefully this will help me narrow my topic down. So much interests me so guess i should put my thinking cap on. AWESOME JOB!!!!

rperson on January 15, 2014:

Thank You So Much :-D

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on December 25, 2013:

KH, thank you so much! I'm glad I could help! My was a sociology major myself. Good luck and feel free to contact me with any questions or survey requests.

KH on December 25, 2013:

This is amazing. I am going to write my Sociology Honours thesis in 2015, and this has given me a fantastic head-start for ideas and inspiration for topics. Thank you!!!

hikmat wazir on December 05, 2013:

its really really great ...i m the student of sociology final year from peshawar university pakistan...before to see that i have no idea about research but now i have so many great meterial ideas topics and cleare the way of research.....tnx a lot

johan smulders on October 10, 2013:

Recently taught Social Psychology at the African Christian College in Swaziland and really enjoyed teaching it because of how practical it is.

Deep Dutta. HARHI COLLEGE. on October 04, 2013:

Thank you so much for the list.

Rebecca Furtado from Anderson, Indiana on September 25, 2013:

Socialogy just another great way to see the world through the eyes of a social science. When you combine these studies with anthropology, political science, etc.. you get a rounded view of the world and much closer to some degree of objective truth..or maybe not , I sure the degree in which are world view is colored by our circumstance is a whole other area of study..

yanna on June 13, 2013:

. im a sociology student .. im still finding a convenient topic for my THESIS .. thanks for the suggeted topic that listed .. It gave me an idea ..

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on April 08, 2013:

Great topic, grmc! Here's a link to a book about the study of family stability and differences between cultures: http://books.google.com/books?id=DXeZYjqNrUwC&...

Google Scholar is a great place to find material about this. I would also search sociological journals for more info. Good luck!

grmc13 on April 08, 2013:

How does the U.S. compare to Japan on indicators related to family well-being and stability

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on March 12, 2013:

Thanks, JT! Those are great topics! I hope you have a wonderful day also! I haven't been writing much lately, but do pop in once in a while. Thanks for stopping by. :)

JT Walters from Florida on March 10, 2013:

Hi Brittany,

It has been a while. I see you are still informing the masses. Just wanted to drop by and suggest the voting habits v charitable contributions of independents would be an excellent sociology project especially since the independent vote seems to always be the most important demographic in any presidential election!

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Jt

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on March 10, 2013:

A lot of the ones listed above are good topics for a presentation. I once watched a presentation about family dinners that was interesting. Good luck!

nida on March 10, 2013:

i want a good topic of sociology for presentation, please tell me which topic is good for presntation......?

smasemaFarf on February 16, 2013:

Hi there little ones.

Pleasant website. Have a nice morning!

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 11, 2012:

Thank you, Irene! I am so glad this could help your students It's so nice that you took the time to comment. It's reasons like this that I write these articles. Mahalo nui loa!

irene on October 11, 2012:

thank you so much for the list. I do teach sociology of education. I landed on this list because i wanted to organise an exhibition for my students. it has given a variety of what they can creatively present. thank you. keep it up.

norah on October 04, 2012:

this was a fabulous thought from you. you have really elaborated the scope of sociology at length.

Swinter12 from Earth on September 26, 2012:

Sociology incorporates much more than I originally thought; it really is a vast science.

So, thanks for delineating what sociology is all about. I'm definitely going to look into several of these topics.

stacey on September 05, 2012:

This was so much helpful thank u

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on May 02, 2012:

Aw, thanks JT! I would, but I am part of the apprenticeship program, which requires that I don't publish any hubs that are about HP. That's why I have stopped making the "My Favorite Hubs this Week" hubs. It would be such a great hub to write, though. Thanks again!

JT Walters from Florida on May 02, 2012:

Forgive me for making such a bold suggestion but I feel only you could do the topic justice...so I will await eagerly for your publication.

:) JT

Brittany Kennedy (author) from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on May 02, 2012:

That would be an interesting read! Thanks, JT.

JT Walters from Florida on