The social sciences lens focuses on the ways humans engage with each other and the systems we create. In many ways, it is the study of large human patterns. Social scientists study social structures that can be measured and often use the tools of statistical and demographic information to support research. The social sciences include economics, sociology, geography, and political science. Even psychology is framed around order and disorder, measurable objectives, and established and tested methods.

Topic: Scientific topic is Could the Sahara ever be green again?

1. Looking through the social science lens can the Sahara desert be green again?

2. What types of demographical or statistical information might be significant to your topic analysis?

3. What social structures, institutions, or systems might impact the topic?

4. How is your topic analysis expanded or strengthened using more than the social lens (use the other lens such as thur the history lens and/or humanities lens and/or natural and applied science lens?