Determine the topic of your research paper. You do not have to have a thesis at this point because, as is the case with most social research papers, the data or experiment determines the thesis statement. Instead, begin with a broad topic that you can design sociological research experiment for, or one for which there is sufficient literature you can use as the basis for your thesis.
Choose a method. The method is one of the most important aspects of the paper because it is what determines what data you will use to construct your thesis ad how you will use the data. This is where Trochim's design methods factor into your thinking process. You can create a true experiment using a random sampling of data, such as a survey of random people on the streets; or you can determine which groups of people will comprise your data set. For instance, maybe you will only survey women over the age of 50 or only bald men. This is the quasi-experimental method; it is not a true experiment because you are determining which people to include. Non-experimental design is based on a single observation rather than experimental data, according to Trochim.
Conduct your research and read similar research in the field as extensively as possible. Determine what conclusions can be drawn from the data you have been able to gather. This data is what will determine the thesis statement of your research paper.
Write an abstract and introduction. The abstract is a short summary of the nature of the research you conducted and what you believe that the research reveals. The introduction reviews the literature in the field and reiterates why your research is different and important to the ongoing scholarly debate.
Explain the methodology and conclusion. Your methodology description will take up the bulk of your paper and is the main body of the paper. It should describe your research in detail, including what results your research revealed. The methods should consist of a description of your data sample, how you measured the data and any other data or procedures that had a bearing on the results of your research design. Your conclusion will reiterate this point as well and tie the rest of the paper together.