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American Sociological Association: Current Research Projects
http://www.asanet.org/research/current_research_projects.cfm
The ASA Department of Research on the Discipline and Profession:
Current and Future Projects
Want to know what the ASA Department of Research on the Discipline and Profession is up to? Click on a topic below to learn more about our current and upcoming projects. You can also stay updated with our Department blog, Facebook page, and Twitter feed.
- The Research Department Blog and Facebook Page
- The Job Market in Sociology
- Exploring Networks of Sociologists
- Sociology Majors, Before and After Graduation
- What Can I Do With a Master's Degree in Sociology?
- Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline (FAD)
- What's Happening in Your Department?
- Looking at Sociology PhDs
Be Part of the Discussion: The Research Department Blog and Facebook Page
We invite you to be part of the discussion about the sociology discipline and profession on the ASA Research Department Blog and Department Facebook page, and Twitter feed. Past topics include work-family policies and the impact on faculty careers, department concerns about assessment, student and faculty experiences with mentoring, the sociology job market, and Past topics have included work-family policies and their impact on faculty careers, department concerns about assessment, student and faculty experiences with mentoring, the sociology job market, use of survey data in the classroom, and satisfaction with career prep.
Research on the Job Market in Sociology
The Research Department conducts several annual studies on the job market throughout the year. These include tracking faculty salaries in sociology and other social sciences, exploring the post-graduation paths of graduates of sociology programs, reporting on jobs advertised through the ASA, and surveying departments to determine placement for academic positions open to new PhDs.
New data on the post-graduate careers of master's students will be available shortly on the What Can I Do With a Master's Degree in Sociology? page. Data on the post-graduate careers of baccalaureate majors is available on the What Can I Do With a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology? page.
Additional publications and presentations are available on the Briefs and Articles page.
The staff of ASA sociologists has embarked on several National Science Foundation-funded research projects using network analysis. These projects include: (1) Diffusion of Innovation in Digital Libraries, (2) Production, Diffusion, an Use of STEM Teaching Materials; and (3) Mentoring, Networks, and Under-represented Minorities in the Science Pipeline.
Additional publications and presentations are available on the Briefs and Articles page.
Sociology Majors: Before and After Graduation
In the longitudinal survey, What Can I Do With a Bachelors Degree in Sociology? we followed the post-graduation paths of sociology baccalaureates from the class of 2005 as they prepared for careers, graduate and professional degree programs, or both. In May 2012, we completed a new longitudinal survey. Social Capital, Organizational Context, and the Job Market for Sociology Majors focuses on the job search strategies used by sociology baccalaureates from the class of 2012, including their contacts and connections, and marketing of sociological skills and concepts.
Click the links below to learn more about these surveys, view findings, and download questionnaires:
What Can I Do With a Master's Degree in Sociology?
Over 1,400 Master's candidates were invited to participate in a two-year survey designed to learn what become of graduates of these programs after they obtain their degree. The first year of the survey (Phase I) examined characteristics of the Master's programs. Phase II examined employment and additional education outcomes. Phase III examined job characteristics, job satisfaction, PhD fields, use of sociological skills and concepts, and master's program evaluation.
Visit the What Can I Do With a Master's Degree in Sociology? homepage to learn more about the survey, view findings, download questionnaires, and purchase the Task Force report.
Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline (FAD)
The Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline (FAD) is supported by the National Science Foundation with additional funds from the American Sociological Association. FAD awards provide scholars with “seed money" for innovative research that has the potential for challenging the discipline, stimulating new lines of research, and creating new networks of scientific collaboration. The award is intended to provide opportunities for substantive and methodological breakthroughs, broaden the dissemination of scientific knowledge, and provide leverage for acquisition of additional research funds.
Visit the FAD homepage to learn more about the program and application process, read about previously funding projects, and view demographic and institutional characteristics of past award recipients.
What's Happening in Your Department?
In late June 2012, we deployed a follow-up to our 2008 survey of sociology departments. Based on the feedback from department chairs across the country, this new survey has been tailored to the current information needs of sociology departments. This survey is aimed at almost 1,000 academic sociology departments in the United States, and focuses on specific issues including assessment and changes in resources and curricula. Read more about the changes to the 2012 survey or complete the survey here.
Findings from the 2012 survey will be available beginning in mid May 2013.
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2012 Department Survey (results from first research brief forthcoming!): |
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Final Survey Instrument |
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Pre-survey Notification Letter to Department Chairs |
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Findings from the 2002 and 2008 Department Surveys: |
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A Comparison of Findings From the 2001 and 2007-2008 Department Surveys |
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Who's Teaching and How Much? |
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What's Happening in Your Department with Assessment? |
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Department Resources and the Demand Side of Hiring |
Additional publications and presentations are available on the Free Downloads page.
Academic and Non-Academic PhDs in Sociology
These studies examine the career trajectories of sociology PhDs. The longitudinal study of academics focuses on work/family issues. Beyond the Ivory Tower (PPT) examines characteristics of non-academic positions and whether these positions reflect theoretical and methodological skills learned in PhD programs. We will begin conducting a new study of non-academic PhDs in 2012.
Additional publications and presentations are available on the Articles and Briefs page.