Reflections shared by Amanda Blanco '18 on her Personal Research Endeavors
In the world of academic research, embarking on an independent study, particularly a senior thesis, can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience. This is especially true when the focus is on a complex topic like voting behavior research in Sociology.
Amanda Blanco, a recent graduate, delved into this intricate field for her senior thesis, exploring factors influencing voting decisions among college students. Her research touched upon aspects such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, family influence, and more.
Amanda's journey was not without its complications. She believes that had she organised her time more effectively, it would have benefited her during the thesis process. One of the key challenges she faced was addressing social inequality and structural factors. Research shows that racial and ethnic minority groups experience significant disparities in election trust and voting access, shaped by historical discrimination and current systemic barriers. These factors complicate isolating causal relationships in voter behavior.
Another challenge was methodological complexity. Survey experiments, though valuable, pose challenges including designing treatments, ensuring representative samples, and interpreting nuanced causal pathways not easily captured by observational data.
Data quality and access also presented difficulties. Disparities in polling place quality and administrative resource allocation introduce measurement challenges in studying turnout and trust, as variations across racial and economic groups influence voting experiences and outcomes, complicating data interpretation.
However, Amanda's experience also underscores valuable lessons for future researchers. Integrating intersectional and contextual analysis can yield powerful insights. Successful theses in voting behavior recognise how race, class, and geography intersect to shape voting experiences and trust in elections, rather than treating voting behaviour as uniform across populations.
Incorporating survey experiments thoughtfully can also yield powerful insights into causal mechanisms in voting behaviour if executed carefully. Lastly, understanding ongoing disciplinary discussions about inequality, ideology, and political messaging enhances the critical framing of voting research and contributes to nuanced interpretation and relevance.
Amanda's research involved surveying 100 Princeton undergraduates and interviewing a few students. She faced challenges in getting in touch with students for interviews, but found a solution by using student-written op-eds.
Amanda's findings were not devoid of surprises. One of her key discoveries was that some students from first or second generation immigrant families did not support open policies on immigration.
Conducting independent research can lead to learning a lot, despite its challenges. Amanda appreciated the support of her adviser throughout the process. She also encourages rising seniors to consult resources on campus such as advisers, departmental reps, writing center workshops, and librarians.
In the spirit of learning from others' experiences, it's worth reading the Winter 2017 Seasonal Series on the blog to gain insights into how others have navigated the senior thesis process. Previous conversations with Teri Tillman '16, Alex V. Barnard '09, and Chloe Angyal '09 offer valuable insights.
Lastly, remember that there may be ups and downs during the independent research process, but you will get through it. As Amanda puts it, "There's a new passion for a project you'll continue to work on post-undergrad." So, embrace the challenges, learn from the experiences of others, and prepare for a rewarding journey.