It is good to store this data in MySQL but you could process the data from a language that has access to the database. Pseudocode.
I would reccomend moving the data out of MySQL and into R. With 1/0 response data a logistic regression is much more appropriate and it is not the simple sum of squares you are implementing.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.