A Guide to Writing a Senior Thesis in Sociology - WJH Home Page ...

DEADLINE: Statement of Intent/Adviser Selected
Last Day of Reading Period by 4:30 PM, Junior Year Spring Term
The typed statement of intent, due by the end of reading period of your junior year spring
term, includes:
(1) A description of the thesis topic and a specific statement of your research question
(2) A brief description of the research design (what kind of methodology will be used—you
do not need to provide instruments or sample information yet; how it will be carried
out). Concentrate on what you plan to do about the topic, not why the topic is interest-
ing.
(3) A projected work schedule through the fall term, including summer work if anticipated
(e.g., carry out literature review by mid-summer, design instruments by August 1, test it
by September 1, collect data by November 1, complete data analysis by December 15,
etc.).
(4) The signature of your adviser indicating his/her approval of the projected schedule and
agreement to advise the thesis.
The first three of these should be written in 2-4 pages; the faculty signature goes on a consent
form available at www.wjh.harvard.edu/soc/pages/senior_thesis.html or in the Undergraduate
Office.
Note: In order to list SOC 99 on your fall term study card, a Statement of Intent must be complete and on file
in the Undergraduate Office. Joint concentrators must also file a statement of expectations from their secondary
concentration.
A Guide to Writing a Senior Thesis in Sociology | page 17