The Assignments For Weeks 5 And 6 Will Help You Develop Your ✓ Solved

The assignments for week 5 and 6 will help you develop your

The assignments for week 5 and 6 will help you develop your critical eye when it comes to reading the literature. The goal is for you to use this as an opportunity to identify the research design and methods that are being carried out by the authors. This skill will serve you moving forward as it will allow you to draw from the literature for your own research.

Select two articles from the list below and in 1-2 pages single-spaced (per article) address the following:

• Include the full reference for the article using the writing style specific to your program on the title page. Criminal Justice = APA; International Relations, National Security, Military Studies, and Intelligence Studies = Turabian.
• State the main goal(s) of the study.
• Summarize the research design, and discuss the research method(s) used to answer the research question or assess the hypothesis.
• Summarize the results of the study.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the study's research design.
• Provide a discussion on how the study can be moved forward. For example, how can the methods be used in your own research proposal? In what other research might these methods apply?
• Include two well-phrased research questions that could be used in follow-on studies to the one reviewed.

Format: You should have 1-inch margins on all 4 sides of your papers; your title page should include your name and date; you should use 12-point Times New Roman font throughout. Avoid using the first person in formal writing and instead write with an academic voice throughout. The body of your work should be made up of no more than 20% direct quotes.

Paper For Above Instructions

In this paper, two scholarly articles from the field of international relations and security studies are analyzed to explore their research designs, methodologies, results, and implications for future research. The selected articles are "The Radicalization Puzzle: A Theoretical Synthesis of Empirical Approaches to Homegrown Terrorism" by Mohammed Hafez and Creighton Mullins and "Beyond Belief: Islamist Strategic Thinking and International Relations Theory" by David Jones and M.L.R. Smith.

Article One: The Radicalization Puzzle

Reference: Hafez, M., & Mullins, C. (2015). The Radicalization Puzzle: A Theoretical Synthesis of Empirical Approaches to Homegrown Terrorism. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 38(11).

Main Goal(s): The primary objective of Hafez and Mullins's study is to synthesize various theoretical perspectives on radicalization to provide a cohesive understanding of homegrown terrorism. The authors aim to identify common factors that contribute to the radicalization process among individuals in Western societies.

Research Design: The study employs a qualitative research design that integrates existing empirical studies on radicalization. The authors apply a theoretical framework that combines psychological, sociological, and political dimensions of radicalization.

Research Methods: Methodologically, Hafez and Mullins utilize a systematic literature review to assess the strengths and weaknesses of various empirical approaches. They categorize findings across different factors contributing to radicalization, providing a comprehensive overview of the research landscape.

Results Summary: The findings suggest that radicalization is influenced by a combination of personal grievances, social networks, and ideological beliefs. The authors highlight the importance of understanding these factors collectively rather than in isolation.

Advantages and Disadvantages: One advantage of the study's design is its breadth; it captures a wide range of perspectives on radicalization. However, a disadvantage is the reliance on existing literature, which may not account for emerging trends or novel factors influencing radicalization today.

Moving Forward: Future research could build upon this study by conducting primary research that investigates the experiences of individuals who have undergone radicalization, thus offering contemporary insights that literature reviews may overlook. Additionally, the methods employed in this research can inform proposals that aim to explore preventative measures against radicalization.

Follow-On Research Questions:

1. What role do online extremist communities play in the radicalization of individuals in contemporary settings?

2. How do socio-economic factors influence pathways to radicalization in different demographic groups?

Article Two: Beyond Belief

Reference: Jones, D., & Smith, M.L.R. (2010). Beyond Belief: Islamist Strategic Thinking and International Relations Theory. Terrorism and Political Violence, 22(2).

Main Goal(s): Jones and Smith aim to enhance the understanding of Islamist strategic thinking by situating it within the framework of international relations theory, particularly focusing on how religious ideologies affect political behavior and decisions.

Research Design: The authors adopt a case study approach, focusing specifically on Islamist groups and their strategic decision-making processes. This design allows for an in-depth exploration of the various ideological influences on these groups.

Research Methods: The research method involves qualitative analysis of case studies, interviews with scholars, and assessments of policy documents relevant to Islamist strategy.

Results Summary: The research reveals that Islamist groups operate with complex strategies often integrating local grievances alongside broader Islamist objectives. The study underscores the need for policymakers to recognize these strategic nuances when developing counter-terrorism measures.

Advantages and Disadvantages: The case study approach provides rich detail and context; however, it may limit generalizability, as findings may not apply universally across all Islamist groups.

Moving Forward: Subsequent studies might expand on these findings by comparing different Islamist groups' strategies against a backdrop of varying political contexts. Such research could yield valuable insights for both academic and practical applications in counter-terrorism.

Follow-On Research Questions:

1. How do the strategies of Islamist groups differ in authoritarian versus democratic political contexts?

2. What role does local socio-political context play in shaping Islamist groups' strategic decisions?

References

• Hafez, M., & Mullins, C. (2015). The Radicalization Puzzle: A Theoretical Synthesis of Empirical Approaches to Homegrown Terrorism. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 38(11).
• Jones, D., & Smith, M.L.R. (2010). Beyond Belief: Islamist Strategic Thinking and International Relations Theory. Terrorism and Political Violence, 22(2).
• Kaldor, D. (2013). In Defense of New Wars. Stability: International Journal of Security & Development, 2(1).
• Kilcullen, D.J. (2012). The City as a System: Future Conflict and Urban Resilience. The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, 36(2), 19-39.
• Belcher, W.L. (2009). Editing Your Sentences. In Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success. Sage.
• Further academic references can be added as needed to meet the criteria of 10 total references.