Please complete a research application and choose one of the research positions listed below (research applications available on the Undergraduate Research link or in Townshend Hall 141). Please return your completed applications to the contact person listed for the project via email.
Below are the research projects that are available for students to work on for SOCIOL 4998 credit Autumn Semester 2025. SOCIOL 4998 is one of the options that students can use to fulfill the major Experiential Learning Requirement - PLEASE NOTE, you may only count 3 hours total of research credit towards the SOCIOL-BA and CRIMINO-BA majors and 6 hours total of research credit towards the SOCIOL-BS major. Also, remember that research experience is especially important if you are planning on applying to graduate school!
Please read the requirements for each project carefully, as some require either specific coursework or specific GPA.
ALL POSITIONS FILLED: Neighborhoods, Identity, and Mobility Among Somali Immigrants
Email application to Dr. Nima Dahir at dahir.13@osu.edu
This research project examines how Somali immigrants in Columbus, Ohio, navigate their racial and immigrant identities in relation to their neighborhoods and how these factors shape economic mobility. Using in-depth interviews and participant observation, the study explores how individuals experience and respond to neighborhood institutions, resources, and social dynamics. Undergraduate research assistants will help with literature reviews, transcription of interviews, and qualitative coding.
Requirements:
This position is ideal for students with an interest in race, immigration, urban sociology, and qualitative research methods. Preferred qualifications include some sociology coursework, especially in race, immigration, or urban sociology and an interest in / experience with qualitative data analysis. Somali language skills are ideal but not required. 1-3 students needed.
Anti-transgender Voting Records of State Level Politicians
Email applications to Anneliese Schenk at Schenk.67@buckeyemail.osu.edu
This research examines the voting records and donation histories of state level politicians who endorsed or sponsored anti-transgender legislation between 2021-2024. This project is in the data collection phase, which undergraduate research assistants will help with. Options are available in future semesters for undergraduate research assistants to continue work with the project in ways such as coding and literature review assistance.
Requirements:
Students should have at least a 3.0 GPA. This position is ideal for students who are interested in sociology, criminology, gender studies, political science, or how these fields intersect. Preferred qualifications include some coursework in one or multiple of these fields. Interested students should email me with their resume/CV, a 200-word statement about their interest in this project, and how many hours a week they are looking to work. Three students are needed.
Understanding Models of Parenting and Life Plans among Young Adults
E-mail applications to Luca Badolato at badolato.3@osu.edu
During the last couple of decades, there have been major transformations in the lives of young adults and the surrounding social environment. These changes include increased uncertainty about the future, postponement of life course transitions such as family formation and childbearing, and the spread of new attitudes and ideals regarding parenting and family life. This research project uses longitudinal qualitative in-depth interviews to explore how young adults view their futures, including their plans for education and work, family formation, childbearing, and parenting, and how these evolve during young adulthood.
Students joining this project will assist us in preparing in-depth interviews, transcribing and anonymizing interview recordings, and elaborating preliminary qualitative analyses. Students will be actively involved in the research project and receive mentoring and training in designing and implementing a qualitative research project. This position is ideal for students who are curious to learn more about qualitative analyses and interested in sociological research related to parenthood and family.
Requirements:
Research experience is not required, but having taken a class in research methods is preferable. Interested students should send their resume along with a short paragraph explaining why they are interested in the project (about 200 words) and an example of previous work or class assignment they are particularly proud of (this could be, for example, a final assignment for a research methods class) to Luca Badolato (badolato.3@osu.edu).