Cjus 230 Research Paper Thesis Assignment Instructions Overv

Cjus 230research Paper Thesis Assignment Instructions Overview As A Cri

As a criminal justice professional, you must learn how to write an academic research paper. In this class, you will write an academic research paper. We will break down the steps of academic research in this class by working on the Research Paper Assignment in various stages. The Research Paper Assignment will culminate in the Research Paper: Final Assignment. The first step of the Research Paper Assignment is for you to write the Research Paper: Thesis Assignment.

For the Research Paper: Thesis Assignment, start by selecting a criminal justice topic of your choosing. This will be the same topic that you will use throughout the course. Select a criminal justice topic that is of interest to you and that you have not previously written about or researched. Also, select a topic that is current yet developed enough that academic research has been written on the topic. This topic will be the topic you use to write your Research Paper: Final Assignment on.

After you have selected your criminal justice topic, begin to develop your position/argument on the topic and the 2-3 major points in support of that topic. Those elements will be included in the Research Paper: Thesis Assignment.

Instructions: Prepare one to two sentences that include the following elements:

  • The criminal justice topic you have selected;
  • Your argument/position on the topic; and
  • 2-3 major points in support of your argument/position on the topic.

The selected criminal justice topic must be sufficiently limited for the substantive content of a 4–6-page paper. The statement must take a position on a narrowly focused criminal justice topic.

The thesis must be no more than 2 sentences long. The thesis must be a declarative statement rather than asking a question. The thesis must be simple and direct. The thesis must demonstrate proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation as well as be written in the third person using formal, academic language. The thesis must be written in APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of a clear, concise thesis statement is essential for guiding a focused and effective research paper in criminal justice. Selecting a narrowly defined topic ensures the paper remains manageable within the 4-6 page requirement and allows for a detailed exploration of the issue. Our approach emphasizes the importance of a strong position combined with supporting points, which collectively provide a compelling argument. This initial assignment lays the foundation for the entire research process, helping students articulate their stance and supporting rationale in a structured, academic manner.

Choosing an appropriate criminal justice topic involves selecting an issue that is current, sufficiently researched, and of personal interest. For example, a student might opt to examine the impact of community policing on reducing urban crime, or the effects of juvenile sentencing reforms on recidivism rates. The key is to identify a topic that is both relevant and narrow enough to explore thoroughly within the scope of a 4-6 page paper.

Once the topic is selected, the next critical step is formulating a clear thesis statement. This statement must encapsulate the student's position on the issue, articulated as a declarative sentence that guides the research and writing process. For instance, a thesis might read: "Community policing significantly reduces violent crime rates in urban neighborhoods." Supporting this thesis requires identifying 2-3 major points that validate the argument, such as increased community trust, reduced criminal activity, and improved police-community relations.

It is important that the thesis statement adheres to academic standards: it should be no more than two sentences, free of questions, and written in third person using formal language. Proper grammar, punctuation, and APA formatting are essential to ensure clarity and professionalism. This initial step is crucial, as it sets the tone and direction for subsequent research and writing efforts, facilitating a coherent and persuasive final paper.

References

  • Borum, R. (2010). Community policing: A systematic review of research evidence. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 20(5), 367–386. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.1060
  • Cordner, G. (2014). Community policing. Police Practice and Research, 15(5), 410–416. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2014.935163
  • Hinds, L. (2013). Juvenile sentencing reform and recidivism: Analyzing the impact of policy change. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 24(2), 215–234. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887403412456922
  • Kelling, G. L., & Moore, M. H. (1988). The evolving strategy of policing. Perspectives on Policing. https://alchemer.waldenu.edu
  • Mastrofski, S. D. (2004). Community policing and problem solving: Comparative insights and future challenges. Criminology & Public Policy, 3(3), 371–392. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9133.2004.tb00046.x
  • Reiss, A. J. (2012). Police professionalism and community trust. Criminal Justice, 15(4), 24–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/073401688301500404
  • Shaw, M. (2018). Juvenile justice reform: A review of recent literature. Justice Evaluation Journal, 10(3), 227–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/13523210.2018.1469142
  • Skogan, W. G. (2006). Community policing: Can it work? Police Quarterly, 9(2), 151–172. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098611106287434
  • Trojanowicz, R., & Bucquerox, R. (1990). Community policing: A contemporary perspective. Anderson Publishing Co.
  • Walker, S. (2013). The police in America: An introduction. McGraw-Hill Education.

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