Overcrowding in prisons

1 CJ 204 – Research PaperResearch Paper Assignment

Each student will write a research paper examining a specific corrections related topic of their choosing. The paper is to be scholarly in nature (i.e., not a “reflection” paper). Students must incorporate at least 5 peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles into the paper. Direct quotations should be used sparingly; however, students may paraphrase material. Paraphrasing still requires proper APA citations. Students are not permitted to reuse any course work from a previous or current course for the purposes of this paper. The purpose of this paper is not to specifically test knowledge, but to force critical thinking about a corrections related issue. This paper should be between five and ten pages (not including the cover page,images or figures, and references). No late papers will be accepted.

General Formatting Requirements

1.A cover page

2. Running Head (upper left-hand corner of the header)

3. Page numbering (upper right-hand corner of the header)

4. 1” margins on all sides

5. Strict double-spacing (no additional space before or after each line – check paragraph settings)

6.Times New Roman, 12 point font throughout your entire paper – cover page through references

7. All text (with the exception of headings within the body of the paper) should be left-justified (i.e.,do not “Justify” the text of your paper as the spacing will be off).

8. Written in formal English, with college-level writing mechanics and APA-style formatting,inclusive of in-text citations and references

Paper Length, Source Requirements, and Structure

1.The paper must be between five and ten pages (not inclusive of the cover page orreferences).

2.You must use at least five scholarly, peer-reviewed sources (i.e., journal articles).

3.Additional scholarly sources, as well as non-scholarly, non-peer-reveiwed sources are allowed. However,be cautious about any statements of ‘facts’ resulting from non-scholarly sources.General Paper Structure:The structure the paper will include four main sections.

I.IntroductionA.Introduce specific topic to be analyzedB.Provide any relevant historical information pertaining to the respective issue(s), theory(or theories) and policy.C.Thesis statement – The thesis statement should be a concise and declarative statementillustrating your assessment of the issue (i.e., what you have to say about your chosentopic, what is your position?)D.Briefly describe your plan of action to analyze your chosen topic, and underscore yourthesis (i.e., lay out a “road map” for the reader).

CJ 204 – Research Paper 2 II.Literature Review (The following describes an integrated literature review)A.Introduction to your literature review (expand on your “roadmap” statement)B.Develop subtopics based on your paper topic (about 3). Under each subtopic, provide anin depth analysis of your chosen topic, identified in the introduction, utilizinginformation garnered from scholarly sources, combined with your own originalthoughts (i.e., critical analysis).1.Summarize prior research2.Critique prior research3.Present pertinent conclusions (in brief) – more substantive conclusions will beaddressed in Part IV of your paperC.Provide a summary (i.e., highlights from your literature review) that will naturally leadinto your Discussion.III.DiscussionA. Summarize your assessment of the issue (i.e., chosen topic); the utility of existingtheory and data; and the efficacy or futility of current policy in place to address theissue.B.Reference back to substantive examples from your sourcesIV.ConclusionA.Provide your concluding thoughts on:1.What policy changes need to be made, and what the implications of thosechanges might mean with respect to better addressing the issue2.Future research needsV.References (APA-style references for all scholarly sources used in your paper)

Grading

1. Completion of all areas of the assignment; following the structure and guidelines

2.Writing mechanics and usage of APA format throughout the paper

3. Critical thinking. Concluding/summary paragraphs must show evidence of sophisticated, novel,and insightful interpretations of past research. Do not simply end a paragraph/section by stating theconclusion of a study.

4.Incorporate at least 5 proper sources. You may use alternative information to supplement yourthesis; however, they will not count as part of the 5 sources required.

Proper Submission

1.A complete paper must be uploaded to Blackboardby the designated cut-off date and time (seecourse schedule). Finalized versions of papers will be downloaded by the instructor, as such;papers must be complete and in an acceptable word processing file format (i.e., *.doc; *.docx, or*.rtf only). Do not attempt to upload your assignment via Google Docs.2.No late submissions will be