Criminal Justice: Police Misconduct & Corruption

Criminal Justice: Police Misconduct & Corruption

All students must demonstrate a satisfactory level of competence in reading, research, and writing as a prerequisite for graduation from University. Criminal Justice majors must show that they have met this requirement by satisfactorily completing CJ 498 Research Writing and Methodologies in Criminal Justice.

The course is designed for seniors in the department of Criminal Justice who have successfully completed the following:

1. SS 239- Statistics for Social Science Research with a grade of “C” or above.
2. SS333 -Techniques of Social Science Research or EN 240 Technical Writing with a grade of “C” or above.
3. 92 Credit Hours or more of the vertical curriculum.

The Course will involve the following:

1. Class Attendance and participation.
2. Demonstrate mastery of the subject and research writing techniques. (See: General information and requirements for writing and defending the senior research paper)
3. Evidence of ability to satisfactorily complete the writing of a research topic through individual research project and assistance of the instructor in SS 333 Techniques of Social Science Research or EN 204 Technical Writing.

Research Outline

Introduction/Statement of the Problem

• Introduce your topic to your readers (topic must contain a social problem in Criminal Justice).
• Statement of the Problem (What is the problem and what is causing the problem).
• Background and Justification of the problem (evidence the problem exists).
• Purpose of the study (why is your study necessary).
• Must have at least 5 different sources (books, journals, newspapers, periodicals, etc).

Literature Review

• Must have at least 10 different sources (books, journals, newspapers, periodicals, etc).
• Include a discussion of the theoretical or conceptual framework within which the study will be grounded.
• Provide a synthesis of the findings in a summary regarding to the problem area, including additional evidence as to the nature and/or the importance of the problem.
• Make clear the need for further studies.
• List strengths and weaknesses in previous researches.
• Critique the literature (agreements and disagreements).
• Why this study is necessary and what do you plan to add to the topic by conducting this study?
• List any deficiencies in evidence (ex: small samples, organization specific, other problems within the study.

 

Methodology

• Methodology used (Name the method and show why it is appropriate?)
• Research design or approach used (Why is this design appropriate?)
• Hypothesis
• Who is the audience (Who are you writing to and who should read your research)
• Who are the participants (give all demographics and descriptions)
• What Instruments will be used in the study?   (Case study, survey, questionnaire, etc)
• What are the measurements/variables (Independent and dependent variables)?
• What are the procedures (How will you conduct this research?)
• What are the research questions in this study?
• How will you analyze the data?
• Give all limitation (limits you may encounter that may prohibit or slow the research)
• Describe any confidentiality/HIPAA issues? (Describe any confidentiality issues with the participants or organizations)
• Are there any ethical considerations?

Theoretical model (if applicable): Must contain a discussion of

• The theory used in the study
• A comparison of the theory with other theories
• Why such theory is the most appropriate for the study?

Discussion

• a step-by-step review and discussion of data collected in your study
• Analyze your data
• Results
• Answers to your research questions
• How they relate to your topic/title
• Whether or not result of an analysis of such data confirms or rejects your hypothesis.

 

Conclusion

• A review of your findings and result of your study
• Suggestions for more study of the problem (if applicable)
• How your study will help to improve civic responsibility and civic engagement among practitioners in the social science system.
• Recommendation

References

• To be placed at the appropriate section of the paper to which it refers
• Begin the reference on a new page
• Level 1 heading
• The reference should be arranged in alphabetical order
• Typed single-spaced with single space between each reference. The second and succeeding lines of each reference should be indented to the right (5 spaces).

Abstract

The abstract must not exceed two pages and must be typed double-spaced. It must briefly discuss each of the following in a separate paragraph:

• The topic/title of your senior paper
• The social/criminal justice problem connected with the topic
• The hypothesis and variables used in the study (if applicable)
• The research techniques used to collect data
• The major findings of the study
• Whether or not your findings confirms or rejects your hypothesis
• How your study will help to improve the work of criminal justice professionals.

 

Title Page: This page must contain the title of the research, the semester and year of its completion, and the full name of the student.

Approval page: The approval page contains the title of the paper, spaces for the signatures of the Head of the Criminal Justice Department and defense committee members.

Tables and Charts: The page(s) must be within the same margins as the text. It must contain computer print outs, mathematical calculations and other charts or graphs referred to in the body of the paper. It must be numbered serially, and must indicate the source from which they were obtained.

Illustrations: Illustrations and photographs must be within the same margins as the text and must be numbered serially. Copies of illustrations and photographs derived from other manuscripts must indicate the source from which they were obtained.

Figures: Figures and charts must be numbered consecutively and placed at the end of the manuscript in the appendix. The appropriate page or pages numbers of such figures must be shown in the text.

Margins: Margins on top, bottom, left and right of each page must be a minimum of one inch. Page numbers must stand within the margin and must be no less than half inch from the top or the bottom of the page.

Pagination: The body of the text must be numbered consecutively in ARABIC numerals including tables, illustrations, appendix and reference. The title page is not numbered, but other pages that are not part of the body of the paper, and numbered consecutively in ROMAN FIGURES.

Paper, Paper type, and Typeface: Erasable paper is unacceptable. Any standard white bond paper is acceptable. Holes must not be punched in the paper. Number 12-font Times New Roman size typeface must be uniform throughout the paper.

Final Copy: Must be thermo bonded with a transparent front cover and a Maroon colored back cover. The title of the paper, name of the author and semester and year of completion must be clearly visible. The final copy becomes the property of University as soon as it is submitted to the professor.