CCJ 4701
Criminal Justice Research Methods
Professor:R. Cory WatkinsOffice Hours:TBA
Office Location:HPA 323Class Time:TBA
Office Phone:823-0365Class Location:TBA
Email:rwatkins@.mail.ucf.edu
I.Course Description:
The primary objective of this course is to provide students with sufficient skills to understand, interpret, and develop an appreciation for the research process. In general, this course will examine social science research. Specifically, this course will focus on formulating research questions, developing research designs, sampling, measurement and data collection in the field of criminal justice.
II. Required Readings:
Maxfield, Michael G. and Earl Babbie (2005) Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology.
4th ed. Wadsworth: Belmont, CA.
III.Teaching Philosophy
This professor encourages discussion and participation during the class period as it will improve your understanding of the materials in this course. It is important that all people feel comfortable in freely expressing their opinions and comments so long as they are constructive and conducive to the academic environment. A course on research methods is often thought of as boring, grueling, and even intimidating. It is important to understand, however, that the development of research skills will benefit you in many aspects of your life.
It is my responsibility as the professor in this course to present the course materials to you in an understandable
form. I will do this, and I will also address questions and concerns regarding the material covered in this course as they arise. In those instances where I do not have an answer, I will get it for you or I will direct you to the individual or individuals who can best provide answers to your question. It is the students' responsibility to complete the readings prior to class and come prepared to discuss the material assigned for each particular day. I expect, as adults, this will be done. Finally, if an individual is not comfortable speaking in class, I strongly encourage meeting with me during my scheduled office hours or setting up an appointment to discuss the matters at hand.
IV.Course Requirements:
The following section lists the required components of this course as well as the points which may be earned toward the final course grade for each component.
A. Reading: Please follow the schedule of reading assignments (See Course Schedule
below). Reading is extremely essential to this course. It will be very difficult to do
well in this course if you do not complete the readings as scheduled.
- Research Proposal: Each student will be responsible for developing a research proposal by the end of the six week term. The professor will lead discussions each class meeting that will relay the class material to the students. This material in addition to the assigned reading will assist the students in the preparation of their respective research proposals.
C.Weekly Assignments: Each week students will be required to submit a section of their research proposal (i.e. problem statement, literature review, data collection methods) and be critiqued and graded. At the end of the course the students will be expected to submit their completed proposals. It is important to note that each week the professor will grade and make suggestions on the weekly assignment for which students can correct for the final proposal submission.
V.Course Grading:
The following scale will be used for grading:
A=90-100%D60 - 69%
B=80-89%F=59% or less
C =70- 79%
The total number of points possible for this course is 100.
Section IResearch Question and Bibliography25 points
Section IILiterature Review25 points
Section IIIVariables and Measurement25 points
Section IVResearch Design25 points
VI.Course Policies:
A.Attendance: It is mandatory that students attend all class sessions. If you cannot make
a particular session, I expect a phone call, or email prior to the missed class informing me of your reason for not attending class on that particular day. Further, assigned readings must be completed on prior to each class meeting.
B.Accommodations for Disabled Students: If anyone has a need for note-taking or
test-taking accommodations, feel free to discuss this with the professor. Please do so
as soon as possible.
C.Class Demeanor: Students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate
professional manner. Any form of racial, ethnic, and/or other demeaning slurs will not be tolerated and
students guilty of such behavior will be excused from the class.
Students are also expected to respect their fellow classmates and the professor.
Students practicing any behavior (i.e., eating, playing music, talking out loud when
others are speaking) that consistently disrupts the class will be asked to excuse
themselves from the class meeting.
VII.Academic Dishonesty:
SIMPLE, IT WELL NOT BE TOLERATED. Dishonesty of any kind with respect to examinations, course assignments, alteration of records, or illegal possession of examinations shall be considered cheating. University policy will be strictly adhered to. As adults, I would certainly expect that each and every student would have enough confidence in his/herself steer clear of this potential pitfall.
VIII.Precautionary Disclaimer:
The class schedule and grading procedure in this syllabus are subject to change in the event of situational exigencies. If changes are to be made, an announcement will be made in class. Announcements made in class are considered proper notice of change.
IX.Course Schedule:
The following page is a list of the date, tentative topics and reading assignments for the semester. Specific topics may be added or deleted at the discretion of the professor. The format of, and dates assigned for, exams and other work may change at the discretion of the professor.
X.Golden Rule
Be familiar with the Golden Rule Handbook. It outlines all the necessary guidelines for success at UCF.
COURSE SCHEDULE (May Change)
DateTopicsReading
Week 1
May 16Course Overview (Discuss Research Proposals)None
May 18Scientific Inquiry, Theory and Criminal JusticeCh. 1 and 2
Week 2
May 23NO CLASS - Library Research PeriodCh.3-4
May 25NO CLASS - Identify Research Questions
- Bibliography (minimum 20 references to address identified research questions
Week 3
May 30NO CLASS – Memorial Day
June 1Literature Review Discussion
Literature ReviewChapter 5-6
Draft Section I Due (Research Questions and Bibliography)
Week 4
June 6Variables and MeasurementNone
June 8Variables and MeasurementChapter 5-6
Draft Section II Due (Literature Review)
Week 5
June 13Research Design/SamplingChapters 7
June 15Research Design/SamplingChapters 8 and 9
Draft Section III Due (Variables and Measurement)
Week 6
June 20Data CollectionChapters 10 - 12
June 22Data Collection/Drafting the Final ProposalChapters 10 - 12
Draft Section IV (Research Design)
Last Day of Class
June 21Research Proposals Due
Research Proposal Guidelines
CCJ 4701
Summer 1999
A research proposal describes what you intend to accomplish and how. It is a detailed plan, map, or blueprint used to guide a research project as well as inform others of your intentions. It is a preview of why a study will be undertaken and how it will be conducted
The proposal is normally divided into distinct sections devoted to critical elements of the overall research design. Use the basic elements listed below to organize and format your proposal.
Select a criminal justice related topic. You are not expected to actually obtain and collect data, but provide a clear and concise plan of how this research will be accomplished. I will be available to meet with anyone who is having a problem defining or selecting a subject during office hours.
The key to success is a carefully defined research question. The question should be very narrow. Examples: What impact does arrest have on DUI offenders on college campuses? What impact do fines have on speeders? I strongly encourage you to select a topic that interests you.
** Remember you are planning the research and NOT actually doing it.**
- Research Question: What exactly do you intend on studying? What is the question that you want answered? Why is this question important? Does it contribute to the general understanding of things? Will it make a difference? 12.5 pts.
- Literature Review: What have others said about this topic? What theories or research address your research question and what do they say? What research has previously been done? What questions are left to be answered? Are there consistent finding or do past studies disagree? 12.5 pts
- Measurement: What are the key variables in your study? How will you define and measure them? Do they represent what you are trying to measure? Do your variables and how they are measured mirror previous research on the topic? If not, why don't they? 25 pts
- Sampling: Who or what makes up your sample? Who or what will you collect data on to answer your research questions? How will you select your sample? 25 pts
- Data Collection: How will you actually collect the data for your study? Will you conduct an experiment or will you collect data through surveys, or interviews? Or will you gather data that has already been collected by other researchers (secondary/archival data)? 25 pts
Strictly follow this outline. If you are having difficulties contact me.