Sociologists seek to better understand the world by examining data and making sense of it. Examine the most recent World Population Data Sheet (https://2024-wpds.prb.org/Links to an external site.), as well as additional data collected by the United Nations, the CIA, or other internationally respected data sources to respond to the following questions. You should present the data in table format, as well as discussing in a paragraph format your observations:
- What is the most recently recorded average life expectancy across the world? The average for men and women, respectively? The total fertility rate? The average infant mortality rate?
- Compare the 2024 figures to those of 1960.
- Examine these same statistics for the U.S. and one other country of your choosing.
- Identify one common "trend" between the two countries. Identify one variation or point of difference.
- Develop a hypothesis to explain the trend or variation that you have identified in question 4. Be sure to pull on sociological theory and empirical research to develop your hypothesis; it should not be formed out of “thin air.” For example, if you have a hypothesis about why women live longer than men in a particular society, you might consider examining sociological work on the life course. Sources could include peer-reviewed academic articles, academic books, or research studies from think tanks.
- You must use at least two academic sources that have not been assigned in class to develop your hypothesis and you must cite these sources within the body of your write-up.
- Include a source list at the end of the paper, with sources cited in APA format.
