Building from last discussions.
Research Question and Introduction Development
In this assignment, you will use Chapter 3 of Rossi (2004) as a guide in the development of a proper research question that can be used as the foundation upon which you will build your Final Paper. To further assist you in the development of a practical, measurable, and valid research question, read the introduction and methodology sections of any of the journal articles listed within the Required Resources or Recommended Resources sections throughought the course. Examining the methodologies and opening sections of a journal article will provide examples of how other scholars have generated their hypotheses and research questions. The research question will appear in the introduction of the Final Paper as well as within its methodology section.
Next, you will use your research question to assist in the formation of a proper introduction for your Final Paper. Provide your readers with a summary of the topic under consideration, its place in the field of criminal justice, why it is important to undertake an evaluation of the topic, policy relevance, social significance, and anything else you discover that might be considered noteworthy. You can use this week’s recommended article or any scholarly articles you find to guide you as to the proper organization of the introduction. Your introduction and research question should be drafted in such a manner as to be suitable for presentation before an audience of criminal justice professionals.
In your paper,
- Formulate the research question you will address in your Final Paper.
- Write the introduction to your Final Paper.
The “Research Question and Introduction Development” assignment
- Must be 750 to 1,250 words in length (not including title and references pages), double spaced, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Writing Center Links to an external site..
- Must include a separate title page with the following:
- Title of paper
- Student’s name
- Course name and number
- Instructor’s name
- Date submitted
- Must use at least three scholarly sources in addition to the course text.
- Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Writing Center.
- Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Writing Center.
Required Resource
Text
Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W., & Freeman, H. E. (2004). Evaluation: A systemic approach (7th ed.). Retrieved from https://content.uagc.edu
- Chapter 3: Identifying Issues and Formulating Questions
- Chapter 4: Assessing the Need for a Program
Recommended Resource
Article
Farrington, D. P. (2006). Methodological quality and the evaluation of anti-crime programs Links to an external site.. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 2(3), 329-337. doi: 10.1007/s11292-006-9012-y
- The full-text version of this article can be accessed through the ProQuest database in the Ashford University Library. The National Research Council report is an important and well respected contribution to the knowledge base for the field of criminal justice. This report highlights the methods through which researchers undertake a program evaluation. A variety of methodological issues such as evaluability, effect size, benefit-cost ratio, attrition, observational methods, area-based programs, descriptive validity, and generalizability are discussed throughout the paper. This article is an excellent tool to demonstrate to students the host of considerations underlying program evaluations. This article will assist you in the completion of this week’s discussion posts.
