Research Topic

This is a 2-part assignment involving a research question and proposal development. You will develop your own development proposal based on interests or topical areas highlighted in the course. This must be a maximum of 2 pages (and a minimum of a short paragraph if your concept is well-defined). Your proposal must clearly set forth the question to be examined. The proposal must be submitted on the provided template for instructor approval.

Research Paper – Development Proposal Template

Liberty University Online

Criminology

CJUS 340

Research Development Proposal Form from Student _______________________________

Type Research Hypothesis Here:

Example “Shaming persons convicted of petit theft will make them less likely to recidivate.”

(Do not write a question like, “Why do people commit crimes?” or “How do serial killers select their victims?”)

Why This Is Important:

Example “There is a position held among certain judges that shaming people will deter them from committing future crimes. For example, we might see a person standing on a street corner holding a sign reading ‘I AM A THIEF.’ It is very likely that they were convicted of shoplifting and sentenced to hold the sign for everyone to see. Accordingly, it is believed that by shaming this person publicly they would be less inclined to commit the same crime again. I believe that this theory is supported by empirical literature.”

Research Paper – Final Submission Instructions

The Research Paper is an assignment requiring the submission of 2 distinct works: 1) a previously submitted research development proposal (a 1- or 2-page document outlining what you hope to research and how you intend to do it); and 2) the Research Paper (the actual 7–10-page work detailing the your research).

Components of the Research Paper:

• The rationale: why the research is needed and what the general area of current concern is.
• Existing research: what is already known about the general area of the proposed research.
• The research Development Proposal.
• A discussion of information needed for the Development Proposal.

Guidelines:

·      Current APA formatting (12 point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, double-spaced).

·      Length of 7–10 pages.

·      Page numbers according to current APA guidelines.

·      Third person voice.

·      Must include:

o   Cover page with the proposal title, student name, course name, and instructor name.

o   References/Bibliography Page.

§  These are NOT to be counted in the total number of pages. You must use a minimum of 3 citations from peer-reviewed journals.

·      The electronic file you submit must be named in the following manner: lastname first initial_submission type (i.e. rp1 for research paper). For example: smithj_rp.doc (this would be J. Smith’s Research Paper).

If you need assistance with writing or current APA formatting, use Liberty University’s Online Writing Center.

Non-required elements:

• The methods appropriate to collecting the required information.
• The sources of information (size and type of sample, etc.).
• The timescale and sequence of various parts of the research.
• A statement of what you intend the outcomes to be (reports, discussion papers, contributions to theory, materials, etc.).
• Description of who will do what and at what cost (if funding is being sought).

Submit your Research Paper – Final Submission by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday on Module/Week 7.

Research Paper – Final Submission Grading Rubric

Criteria	Levels of Achievement	Points Earned
Proficient	Competent	Novice	Deficient
Introduction and Idea Development	33 to 40 pointsClearly focused introduction; idea development is interesting and sophisticated.	24 to 32 pointsSignificant, but not major, flaws in introduction and/or idea development.	13 to 23 pointsIntroduction unclear; idea development uneven and simplistic.	0 to 12 pointsIntroduction incomplete or ineffective; idea development incomplete or ineffective.
Use of Supporting Evidence	33 to 40 pointsUse of supporting evidence is detailed, accurate, and convincing; perceptive conclusion.	24 to 32 pointsSignificant, but not major, flaws in use of supporting evidence.	13 to 23 pointsUse of supporting evidence uneven; weak conclusion.	0 to 12 pointsUse of supporting evidence vague or evidence is missing.
Conclusion	25 to 30 pointsConclusion follows logically from research and analysis and is perceptive.	19 to 24 pointsSignificant, but not major flaws, in conclusion.	13 to 18 pointsConclusion can be traced to research but embodies major flaws.	0 to 12 pointsConclusion is incomplete or missing.
Research	33 to 40 pointsSources meet required criteria and are well chosen to provide substance and perspectives on the issue under examination; knowledge from the course is linked strongly and properly to the source material.	24 to 32 pointsSources meet required criteria and are only adequately chosen to provide substance and perspectives on the issue under examination; knowledge from the course is linked only adequately to the source material.	13 to 23 pointsSources meet required criteria and are less-than-adequately chosen to provide substance and perspectives on the issue under examination; knowledge from the course is linked less than adequately to the source material.	0 to 12 pointsSource selection and integration of knowledge from the course with source documentation is clearly deficient.
Organization	13 to 15 pointsProject is clearly organized, well-written, and in proper essay format including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Conforms to project requirements.	10 to 12 pointsSmall number of significant, but not major, flaws in organization and writing; it is in proper essay format. Paper does not conform to project requirements in a minor way.	7 to 9 pointsMajor problems in organization and writing; it does not completely follow proper essay format. Paper does not conform to project requirements in a significant way.	0 to 6 pointsProject is not well-organized nor well-written and is not in proper essay format. Does not conform to project requirements.
Grammar and Style	13 to 15 pointsStrong sentence and paragraph structure; few or no minor errors in grammar and spelling; appropriate writing style; clear and concise with no unsupported comments.	10 to 12 pointsSmall number of significant, but not major, errors in grammar and spelling; generally appropriate writing.	7 to 9 pointsInconsistent to inadequate sentence and paragraph development; work needed on grammar and spelling; does not meet program expectations.	0 to 6 pointsPoor quality; unacceptable in terms of grammar and/or spelling; inappropriate writing style that interferes with clarity.
Current APA Format	17 to 20 pointsIncludes all items required by current APA and includes less than 2 APA style guide mistakes within the paper itself. Citations and reference page are correctly formatted.	13 to 16 pointsOmits up to 2 items required by current APA and includes less than 4 APA style guide mistakes within the paper itself. Citations and reference page are correctly formatted with minor mistakes.	9 to 12 pointsOmits up to 4 items required by current APA and includes less than 6 APA style guide mistakes within the paper itself. Citations and reference page include numerous mistakes.	0 to 8 pointsOmits 5 or more items required by current APA and includes 7 or more APA style guide mistakes within the paper itself. Citations and reference page are incorrectly formatted.
Total	/200
Instructor’s Comments: