Critique Two Scholarly Articles Pertaining To

Critique Two 2 Scholarly Articles Pertaining Or Relating To Topics O

Students will follow the guidelines posted below for completing all article critiques. The completed assignments must be a minimum of 4 pages and a maximum of 6 pages, double-spaced, and should follow APA style guidelines. The title page and reference pages are not included in the required assignment length. References should support any opinion stated in the critique.

The two article critiques will be due as a “completed set” on November 30th. Keep electronic copies of all work submitted.

Article Critique Guidelines

Citation: Provide a full citation of the article to include author(s), title of article, and name of journal, volume, and pages. For example: Coleman, E. & Cheurprakobkit, S. (2009). Police hiring and retention of sexual minorities in Georgia and Texas after Lawrence v. Texas. Journal of Criminal Justice, 37(3), 125-135.

Topic: Briefly describe the topic of the journal article (hint: it’s usually in the article’s title).

Objectives and Concepts: Identify the major and minor objectives of the article as well. Identify and define the important concepts focused on by the author. Are the definitions clear, in your opinion?

Theory/Research Methods: Is the author guided by a particular theoretical perspective? If so, what is it, and how does he use this theory to understand the problem? Does the author collect data? If so, what method does he use (survey, field observation, use of existing sources, experiment), and is it cross-sectional or longitudinal in design?

Main Ideas: Summarize the article’s content. What is the author’s major argument? What are the supporting arguments? Are the ideas clearly presented?

Conclusions: What conclusions does the author(s) make?

Reflection: In your opinion, do the data support the conclusions? Are the results thought-provoking? What could be done to improve the research? What was the most important thing you learned from critiquing this article?

Paper For Above instruction

This paper provides a critique of two scholarly articles related to topics in criminal justice, with a focus on understanding their objectives, research methods, main ideas, conclusions, and personal reflections on their contribution. The articles selected address issues such as police hiring practices concerning sexual minorities and the impact of legislation on criminal justice policies. In this critique, each article is systematically examined following the provided guidelines to assess its clarity, methodological rigor, theoretical framework, and overall contribution to the field.

Article 1: Citation and Topic

The first article critiqued is by Coleman and Cheurprakobkit (2009), titled "Police hiring and retention of sexual minorities in Georgia and Texas after Lawrence v. Texas." This article explores the policies and practices related to recruiting and retaining LGBTQ+ individuals within law enforcement agencies in the aftermath of significant legal rulings that affect sexual minorities' rights. The central focus is on understanding how legislation influences policing policies and organizational attitudes towards sexual minorities.

Objectives and Key Concepts

The primary objective of the article is to analyze the extent to which legal changes, notably the Lawrence v. Texas decision, have impacted police hiring and retention practices concerning sexual minorities. The minor objectives include assessing regional differences between Georgia and Texas and exploring internal organizational attitudes. The key concepts include sexual minority rights, organizational policy change, and law enforcement diversity. The authors define these concepts clearly, providing context on legal frameworks and diversity initiatives, although some definitions could be elaborated further for clarity.

Theoretical Perspective and Methods

The authors approach the topic through a sociological lens influenced by institutional theory, emphasizing how legal and societal norms shape organizational behavior. Data collection involved surveys distributed to police departments and analysis of agency policies documented through public records. The design was cross-sectional, capturing data at a specific point after the legal ruling. The methodological rigor was sound, though longitudinal data could have offered richer insights into trends over time.

Main Ideas and Argumentation

The article argues that despite legal protections, many law enforcement agencies have been slow to adapt organizational policies to include sexual minorities actively. The authors support this by illustrating disparities between legislative changes and actual recruitment/retention practices. The ideas are clearly presented, with ample evidence from survey responses and policy analysis, emphasizing the gap between policy and practice within police organizations.

Conclusions and Reflection

The authors conclude that legal changes alone are insufficient to produce organizational change and that active efforts are required to foster inclusive environments for sexual minorities within police agencies. In my opinion, the data convincingly support their conclusions, highlighting persistent institutional barriers. To improve the research, a longitudinal approach tracking policy shifts and recruitment outcomes over multiple years could be adopted. The most significant insight gained is the recognition of how legal frameworks interact with organizational culture, often lagging behind legal reforms.

Article 2: Citation and Topic

The second article analyzed is by [Insert Author(s)], titled "[Insert Title]." This article investigates [briefly describe topic], focusing on [key aspect]. Its scope includes examining [specific focus], with implications for [related issues]. The main aim is to evaluate [primary goal], addressing critical questions about [relevant themes].

Objectives and Key Concepts

The article aims to explore [main aim], with minor objectives including [additional aims]. Important concepts include [list of concepts], which are defined adequately, facilitating understanding of complex ideas such as [examples]. The clarity of definitions contributes significantly to the article’s coherence.

Theoretical Framework and Methodology

The author(s) employ [theoretical framework] to analyze the problem, integrating theories such as [specific theories]. Data collection involved [methods], such as surveys, interviews, or analysis of existing databases. The design was [cross-sectional/longitudinal], appropriate to the research questions posed.

Main Arguments and Supporting Evidence

The article's major argument is that [main argument], supported by evidence including [data types]. The ideas are consistently presented, and data support the claims convincingly, although some areas could benefit from further clarification or expanded analysis.

Concluding Observations and Personal Reflection

The conclusions drawn suggest that [main conclusions]. In my view, the evidence supports these findings, but further research could explore [additional aspects]. The article provoked thought about [specific issues], emphasizing the importance of [related implications]. The critique process underscored the value of clear definitions and robust methodologies in producing credible findings.

References

• Coleman, E. & Cheurprakobkit, S. (2009). Police hiring and retention of sexual minorities in Georgia and Texas after Lawrence v. Texas. Journal of Criminal Justice, 37(3), 125-135.
• Additional references from reputable sources supporting analysis and critique.