Research study that will require you to gather and explain raw data, arrange the data, analyze the data, and offer meaningful conclusions as to what the data show. Use Chapters 5 and 6 of this week’s required readings for assistance on the construction of the paper’s introduction and purpose statement. Raw data may be drawn from a singular source, though referral to multiple sources, including secondary sources, is highly encouraged. The arrangement, analysis, and conclusions must be original. Specifically, you will evaluate criminal justice data, interpret published research findings, and apply scientific methodology to answer a criminal justice research question.
Introduction
In this section, you must
Introduce a research problem or question.
Include a thesis statement that identifies the purpose of conducting the research study.
Encapsulate the impact of the conduct of the study.
Literature Review
In this section, you will
Provide the body of knowledge that previous researchers have generated.
Describe how your research builds upon the base of knowledge already in existence.
Methodology
Explanation of Data Sets
In this section, you must
You must explain where your data were originated.
Identify and specifically define the data set being used, its origin(s), and its composition.
Southern Poverty Law Center (www.splcenter.org/)
Anti-Defamation League (www.adl.org/)
Bureau of Justice Statistics (www.bjs.gov/)
Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics (http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook/)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (www.fbi.gov)
Data can be acquired from a variety of sources. The sites listed below are excellent sources from which to obtain secondary data.
Explain why this particular data set was chosen.
Identify particular strengths and weaknesses of the set.
Arrangement of Data
In this section, you must detail the manner in which you arranged the data set so as to permit analysis and inference. Particularly in the case of a methodological approach applying quantitative principles, you are encouraged to use charts and graphs to explain your data arrangement. Specifically, you must
Explain the methodologies and statistical techniques used in research in criminal justice.
Evaluate criminal justice data with specific reference to a methodological approach.
Explain the principles of your selected approach.