Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Apply the types of research used to criminal justice issues.
In addition to fulfilling the specifics of the assignment, an appropriate worksheet must also meet the following criteria:
Viewpoint and purpose should be clearly established and sustained.
Assignment should follow the conventions of Standard English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.).
Writing should be well ordered, logical, and unified, as well as original and insightful.
Your work should display organization, style, and mechanics.
You should also make sure to:
Use examples (as needed).
List all sources at the bottom of the worksheet using APA formatting.
Your assignment in Research Methods involves applying various types of research to criminal justice issues. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to approach this task:
- Pick Your Topic: First, you need to decide on a criminal justice issue that piques your interest. This could be anything from racial disparities in sentencing to police use of force.
- Get to Know the Research: Next, familiarize yourself with the different kinds of research methods, such as surveys, interviews, or case studies. You’re going to need to know the ins and outs of these.
- Match Method to Topic: Now, consider how each of these research methods could shed some light on the criminal justice issue you picked. Why would a particular method be a good fit? What kind of information could it uncover?
- What’s Your Take?: As you’re writing, make sure your own perspective comes through. What’s your take on these issues? Make sure your voice is consistent throughout.
- Start Writing: Now that you’ve done your prep, it’s time to write. Try to keep things clear and focused, mix up your vocabulary and sentence structure, and steer clear of too much repetition.
- Sprinkle in Examples: If you’re trying to explain a point, it can help to give an example. These can be real cases you’ve read about, or hypothetical scenarios that illustrate your point.
- Don’t Forget to Cite: Whenever you use information from somewhere else, make sure you credit your source. And at the end, include a list of all your sources, formatted according to APA rules.
- Give it a Once-Over: When you’re done writing, read your assignment out loud to catch any awkward sentences, typos, or mistakes.
- Be Original: Lastly, make sure your assignment reflects your own thoughts and insights, not just facts and other people’s ideas.
Your understanding and application of the research methods to your chosen topic are what will make your work stand out. Good luck!