Research Paper Grading Rubric Click Here

Research Paper Grading Rubric Click Hereresearch Papert

Research Paper/Term Project: (Due Week 7) Each student is required to complete an 8-10 page research paper in APA Style, excluding the cover, abstract, and reference pages. The paper must focus on one of the specified topics, utilizing at least five scholarly, peer-reviewed sources. The paper should demonstrate critical thinking through analysis and synthesis rather than quoting extensively. Proper APA formatting, appropriate references, and original paraphrased content are essential. Submissions are processed through Turnitin for plagiarism detection, and adherence to academic integrity and formatting standards is mandatory.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The academic landscape of criminal justice research emphasizes the importance of analyzing systemic deficiencies, criminal behaviors, and theoretical frameworks that underpin delinquent and criminal conduct. An effective research paper on this subject must demonstrate analytical prowess, scholarly integrity, and adherence to format standards, primarily APA style. This paper explores critical issues in criminal justice, with a focus on police department deficiencies, criminal activities like drug trafficking, the complexity of corporate crime, explanations of crime through various theories, and the social dynamics of gangs and delinquency.

Choosing a Topic and Formulating a Research Focus

Selection of a focused topic from the given list is crucial. Possible topics include the examination of police misconduct in relation to constitutional rights, issues surrounding police use of force, the intricacies of civil rights violations, or comparative analyses of corporate crime. Alternatively, topics could involve exploring illegal drug markets, prostitution, money laundering, or understanding criminological theories, or analyzing middle-class delinquency in the context of gangs. Each topic requires gathering at least five scholarly, peer-reviewed articles to support critical analysis.

Methodology and Scholarly Sources

The foundation of a successful research paper lies in employing scholarly sources from reputable journals. These articles should be original research studies or analytical reviews, peer-reviewed and authored by discipline experts. These sources must be paraphrased to demonstrate understanding and critical engagement, avoiding direct quotations. Proper in-text citations in APA style are essential alongside a comprehensive references list at the end. The use of the APUS library database facilitates access to peer-reviewed articles pertinent to the chosen topic.

Analysis and Critical Thinking

The core contribution of the paper is critical thinking — analyzing issues, contrasting viewpoints, synthesizing research findings, and providing reasoned arguments. It is essential to move beyond summarizing sources and to evaluate the implications, limitations, and relevance of scholarly research pertaining to the selected topic. For example, when discussing police misconduct, one might analyze legal frameworks, systemic biases, and institutional reforms, integrating multiple scholarly perspectives.

Formatting and Academic Integrity

Adherence to APA 6th edition formatting guidelines is non-negotiable. This includes properly formatted citations, headings, in-text references, and a reference list. The paper must be free of direct quotes, with content paraphrased and integrated into original analysis. Originality is paramount, as submissions are evaluated for plagiarism via Turnitin. Any lack of proper formatting, reliance on direct quoting without paraphrasing, or signs of plagiarism can result in a zero grade, regardless of content quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the assignment requires a comprehensive, critically engaged, and well-structured research paper that demonstrates mastery of scholarly research, critical analysis, and proper academic writing standards. Careful planning, timely research, critical synthesis of sources, and meticulous formatting are necessary for success. This project not only assesses knowledge of criminal justice topics but also the ability to communicate complex ideas convincingly and ethically in academic writing.

References

  • Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance. Free Press.
  • Farrington, D. P. (2003). Developmental and life-course trajectories of criminal activity. Criminal Careers and 'Career Criminals', 7(6), 89-124.
  • Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford University Press.
  • Klockars, C. B., & Williams, C. A. (2012). The police and society: Touchstone papers. Routledge.
  • Martinson, R. (1974). What works? Questions and answers about prison reform. The Public Interest, 39, 22-54.
  • Reinartz, S. (2014). Corporate crime and financial markets. Journal of Business Ethics, 124(2), 209-220.
  • Sampson, R. J., & Lauritsen, J. L. (1990). Deviant lifestyles, status, and crime: A typology of offending. Criminology, 28(4), 607-630.
  • Sutherland, E. H. (1949). White-collar crime. American Sociological Review, 14(1), 132-133.
  • Wilkinson, P. (2010). Crime: Theories, patterns, and policies. Routledge.
  • Yar, M. (2014). Gangs and crime. Routledge.

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