Reference no: EM132168220
Assignment Paper Requirements
The assignment paper should be comprised of a cover page, body of the assignment (between 10-12 pages), and a reference page. The total assignment should range between 12-14 pages. No bullet points are allowed. Please ensure that your assignment includes the following elements:
1. Any professional format is acceptable, but it must be consistent (i.e., APA, MLA, etc.)
2. Cover page (not included in the 10-12 pages)
o Title of paper (not Assignment 1 - be creative)
o Date
o Name & student number
o Class and semester
o Instructor's name
3. Introduction (1-2 Pages)
o Broad description of the topic; importance of the topic
o Clearly stated, testable hypothesis
o Overview of the remaining components of the paper, including literature review, research design, and data collection.
4. Literature Review: (3-4 pages) Brief review/description of previous research on this topic
o No Internet references are allowed, you must use books and/or journal articles. One exception to this rule is government web-sites, such as the Department of Justice, etc.
5. Theory (3 Paragraphs)
Present a theoretical explanation for why the variables of interest should be related; this discussion may also draw on previous research to support your hypothesis
6. Methods (in no particular order)
o Research Design: Describe the type of research design
Discuss how this design meets or does not meet the criteria of causality (i.e., benefits and limitations of design); link this discussion to your research
Include strengths and weaknesses of the proposed design (i.e., validity and reliability are important to discuss)
o Data Collection: Identify the type of data collection method
o Sampling: Describe the type of sampling
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this style relative to your research
o Reliability & Validity: Discuss relevant reliability and/or validity issues
• Conclusion: Short summary of the research proposal
• References (not included in the 10-12 pages)
Potential Research Topics
• Policing
o Citizen attitudes toward or belief about the police
o Police actions (citations, arrests, searches, use of force)
o Police tactics/strategies (i.e., community policing, zero tolerance policing, etc.)
o Police-community relations; Treatment of minorities
• Courts
o Citizen attitudes toward or belief about the court system
o Pre-trial diversion
o Prosecutorial discretion
o Sentencing
o Specialty courts
o Supreme Court
• Corrections
o Citizen attitudes toward or belief about the correctional system
o Punishment vs. rehabilitation
o Risk assessment
o Probation
o Parole
o Receividism