One expectation among criminal justice administrators and practitioners is that advances in information technology (IT) have the potential to improve the efficiency and productivity of criminal justice agencies. Some have even argued that the major crime drop in America over the past couple decades was, at least in part, due to advances in technology. For this assignment, you must find two research articles outside of the course readings that address this issue. That is, you must find two articles from academic journals that say something concrete, based on research, about whether or not advancements in technology seem to have improved the functioning of the criminal justice system. You must then write a short paper (3-4 pages DOUBLE SPACED) that describes the findings of these studies. Note that the articles do not have to agree in their findings. Note also that it is not necessary for you to understand all parts of the articles. Some parts may be quite advanced statistically, but you do not necessarily need to discuss those parts.
Be sure to thoroughly address each of the components listed above. You must write with correct grammar and punctuation, and at a level suitable for a graduate course. Failure to do so will result in a loss of points. A sample outline is provided below. Note that the sources for this paper MUST be academic journal articles – not books, websites, or government reports. Refer to assignment 3 for instructions for finding journal articles and for instructions on citations and references. You must use the citation and referencing instructions or you will lose points.
Sample Outline
I. introduction (approx. 1-2 paragraphs)
A. brief introduction to the issue
B. purpose of the paper
II. body (approx. 2 pages)
Your description of the articles can be organized either according to article (e.g. first describe article 1 and then article 2), or they can be organized according to the general findings (e.g. first describe the findings in support of technology in criminal justice, then describe the findings arguing that the use of technology does not reduce crime).
III. conclusion (approx. 1-2 paragraphs)
A. summary of what you found
B. questions for future research
IV. bibliographic references page (1 separate page – not included in the 3-4 page total)
