Course Project

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Course Project Guidelines

You are required to complete a research paper that will constitute the Course Project. The purpose of the paper is to afford you the opportunity to demonstrate research, writing, and critical thinking skills in the area of criminal justice administration. The paper should be an expanded literature review of your selected research topic, and should draw on the annotated bibliography (due Week 9). The final paper should be organized as follows:

• An abstract, which is a brief summation (100-150 words) of your research and findings

• Title sheet (including the title of the paper and your name) • Introduction and background of the issue researched/studied • Topic Discussion: A brief description (1–2 pages) of the research topic and a

justification for why the issue is important for criminal justice agencies • Problem statement, explaining the importance of the issue—in relation to criminal

justice administration (For example: What are the problems that are caused? Why is it important to understand and consider action?)

• Interview of criminal justice chief executive (See details below.) • Findings/Recommendations (what you have found in your research,

recommendations, and how to evaluate issues) • Application/Action orientation (How does this apply to the real world? How could

any changes be incorporated in the workplace? What obstacles, i.e., personnel, resistance, legal, etc.—and how could these be minimized?)

• Conclusion (Wrap up, synthesize and restate the importance of your research in the workplace.)

• Bibliography The body of the paper should be approximately 15–17 pages in length. Your Course Project should be submitted by Day 7 of Week 10.

© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. Page 2 of 2

Interview of Chief Executive Identify a command staff person actively working in the criminal justice field. This should be a high ranking official.

• Gain permission to conduct a brief interview regarding your research topic. o Preparation for this interview is important. A series of pertinent questions

will help with the flow of the conversation. o Questions should be at the graduate/executive level. o Make sure there is some focus on recruiting, retention, and leader

development. • Your interview summary should be 3–4 pages in length and double-spaced.

o Insure that you have permission to craft a written paper following the interview. Since the executive may want to see a copy of the finished report, make sure to offer this option.