Research Paper Overview For This Course

Research Paper Overviewthe Paper For This Course Requires Students To

Research paper overview: The paper for this course requires students to select one criminological theory and evaluate how that theory affects an individual’s decision to engage in criminal behavior as well as how the theory assists criminal justice officials in understanding criminal behavior. This research paper is broken down into the following two components that will be completed during the course: during this unit, you will submit a draft of a research paper that discusses the selected criminological theory, including an overview of your research paper and a review of reference sources. During Unit VII, students will submit the final research paper. More detailed descriptions of each component are provided in the specific units. You will be expected to incorporate any recommended changes suggested by your professor to resources and the criminological theory section.

Research Paper Part I

For this assignment, you will submit part I of your research paper. Part I includes both an overview of the research project and a review of source references. You will select the criminological theory you are writing about and locate four academic sources to support your paper. Then, you will give an overview of your topic and a brief review of the literature you have selected.

This part of your research paper should have the following components:

- An overview of your selected theory. In this section, you must identify the criminological theory that will serve as the basis for your research project and briefly describe that theory. Then, relate that theory to the U.S. criminal justice system and explain how the components of the U.S. criminal justice system—law enforcement, the judiciary, incarceration, and rehabilitation—support this theory.

- A review of the literature that will be included in your final paper. This section should include at least four academic sources, and you should give a brief description of each source and describe why it is relevant to your chosen topic. It should also compare and contrast the findings of the sources you have selected in relation to your topic.

The intent of providing a review of sources is to demonstrate the student is headed in the right direction with research for the paper. Your paper must be at least 2.5 pages in length, not counting the title and reference page. The references must include a minimum of four scholarly resources and/or legal cases (stare decisis) that you plan to utilize in the research paper. Your paper must be formatted using APA style, and it should include a title page, running head, and reference page. Any information from your selected sources must be cited both in-text and on the reference list.

Paper For Above instruction

In this research paper, the focus is on exploring a specific criminological theory, understanding its implications on criminal behavior, and examining its relevance within the United States criminal justice system. The initial part of this project involves selecting a criminological theory, conducting a literature review, and preparing an overview that sets the foundation for a comprehensive analysis in subsequent sections. The chosen theory will serve as a lens through which to interpret criminal acts and inform practices in law enforcement, judicial proceedings, incarceration strategies, and rehabilitation efforts.

One of the critical steps in this process is identifying an appropriate criminological theory that offers insightful explanations of criminal behavior. For instance, theories such as Strain Theory, Social Learning Theory, or Rational Choice Theory could be selected, each providing a distinct perspective on why individuals engage in criminal acts. Once the theory is chosen, it is essential to map its connection to the components of the U.S. criminal justice system. For example, how law enforcement agencies recognize and apply this theory during investigations, or how courts interpret behaviors based on these theoretical frameworks, or how incarceration and rehabilitation initiatives align with the assumptions of the theory.

Furthermore, the literature review forms a vital component of Part I. This review involves analyzing at least four scholarly sources, such as journal articles, academic books, or legal cases related to the selected theory. Each source should be briefly summarized, highlighting its relevance to the research topic. The comparison of findings across sources helps in identifying patterns, gaps, or controversies in the existing scholarship. This step ensures that the research is grounded in credible evidence and demonstrates a clear trajectory toward developing a well-supported final paper.

The purpose of this initial submission is to lay a solid groundwork for later detailed analysis and discussion. The overall length of this part should be at least 2.5 pages, formatted according to APA guidelines. Proper citations in-text and on the reference page are required, alongside a title page and running head. Through this structured approach, the research aims to contribute meaningful insights into the application of criminological theories within the criminal justice system and to support future comprehensive analysis.

References

• Akers, R. L. (2017). Criminological theories: Introduction, evaluation, and application. Oxford University Press.
• Cernkovich, S. A., & Giordano, P. C. (2019). Delinquency and crime: Current perspectives. Routledge.
• Hagan, J. (2016). Crime and delinquency: Essays in history and theory. Transaction Publishers.
• Pratt, T. C., & Cullen, F. T. (2020). The empirical status of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime. Criminology, 58(1), 108–130.
• Legal Case Reference: Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).