RESEARCH PAPER SECTION
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CRIM 495 Spring 2019 Professor Johnson
RESEARCH PAPER SECTION 4 CONCLUSION
Due Date Thursday, April 11 by 12noon Requirements
1) Submit a draft of Section 4 of your paper (Conclusion). The conclusion sums up your research paper by describing avenues for future research and providing your own personal insights or assessment of the problem or the potential reforms. This is the only section of the paper where you can introduce your personal opinion.
2) When discussing future research, you must include two research questions that you might want to pursue if you were to study this issue in the future. For example, your research questions might focus on an aspect of your topic that is not yet well-understood or has not been studied, how a different methodology could provide new insight, the kinds of data that need to be collected to better inform criminal justice policy or practice, what kind of changes to a solution or reform might be needed, or you might discuss other problems that need to be addressed. To pose your research question in the appropriate format, you may find it helpful to review the material presented in the February 7 recitation sections.
Format and Word Count Section 4 should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins. Pages should be numbered. There is no specific page requirement or word count for Section 4, but keep in mind that the full paper should be at least 3,500 words (excluding the title page and reference list) and Sections 2 and 3 will comprise the bulk of the paper. Organization and Mechanics of Writing Be sure to organize your paper in a logical manner and use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Use headings and subheadings as appropriate. Remember to include your name and the assignment name at the top of your essay. Use and Citation of Sources Your paper must be based on research comprised primarily of scholarly references, including appropriate social scientific and/or natural scientific sources (peer reviewed), reports from prestigious institutions/organizations, and policy materials, the majority of which should be published between 2000 and 2019. Newspaper and other reference sources also may be used, as appropriate, but should be used sparingly. Avoid plagiarism by using your own words, properly citing source material with in-text or parenthetical citations according to APA format, and properly identifying direct quotations. Papers may be evaluated using anti-plagiarism software, such as SafeAssign. Submission This assignment must be submitted via Blackboard by the date/time indicated. The late submission of assignments is strongly discouraged. Late assignments submitted within 3 days (72 hours) of the due date will receive a grading penalty for each day they are late and may not receive detailed feedback. No assignment will be accepted for credit if it is more than three days (72 hours) late.
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Assessment of Draft Sections Section drafts will be evaluated based on effort, not achievement. Students who make a good faith and sincere effort to submit a draft that meets the assignment criteria, by the due date, will receive full credit for that assignment. Students who demonstrate less effort and/or do not submit their drafts by due date will not receive full credit for the assignment. See attached rubric for detailed assessment criteria.
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CRIM 495 Spring 2019 Professor Johnson
Assessment Rubric for Research Paper: Draft Section #4
GENERAL [ENTIRE PAPER] Excellent Good Ok Marginal Unacceptable
Structure and organization Structure is clear, organization makes sense and topics flow smoothly. Use of transition words. Use and proper format of headings and subheadings.
Content is organized in a logical way, topic sentences clearly illustrate main points, transition words/phrases connect one idea/paragraph to another. Headings formatted and used correctly.
Content is organized in a logical way, some topic sentences and transition words/phrases are used. Use of headings for all sections with some formatting errors
Each section is presented separately with few connections between different sections. Use of headings for major sections only with some formatting errors
Sections presented in a confusing or illogical manner with little to no use of topic sentences and/or transition words/phrases. Use of headings for major sections only and with incorrect formatting.
Sections presented in a confusing or illogical manner with little to no use of topic sentences and/or transition words/phrases and no connection to conclusion. Use of headings is inconsistent and incorrect.
Citations Incorporates scholarly sources to back up claims with in-text or parenthetical citations.
All cited works are done in correct APA format with no errors.
Some cited works are done in correct APA format. Inconsistencies evident.
Few cited works are done in correct APA format.
Works are often not cited, and when they are, the APA format is incorrect.
Missing/No Evidence; Paper is based mostly on opinion.
Format Double-spacing, 12- point font, 1-inch margins, page numbering, typed, etc.
No errors in formatting.
Almost no errors in formatting.
Regular errors in formatting (e.g. continually misses indent)
Many errors in formatting.
Numerous and distracting errors in formatting
Writing Mechanics Word choice, syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation, voice and tone, use of first person
All of the writing is formal and in active voice. Avoids contractions and slang. Proper syntax, grammar, spelling and punctuation. Appropriate use of first person
Most of the writing is formal and in active voice. Generally avoids contractions and slang. Almost no errors in syntax, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Some of the writing is informal and in passive voice Regular errors in syntax, grammar, spelling and punctuation. May use contractions. First person used incorrectly.
Most of the writing is informal and in passive voice Many errors in syntax, grammar, spelling, punctuation and use of first person. Contractions and slang common.
All of the writing is informal and in passive voice Numerous and distracting errors in writing mechanics.
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Draft Section #4: CONCLUSION
Excellent
Good
Ok
Marginal
Unacceptable
Conclusion -Brings the paper to an end by discussing avenues for future research and providing your own personal insight or assessment of the problem/potential reforms
The conclusion wraps up your research paper by discussing future research and provides your own personal insight. It is clear, concise, engaging, and thought provoking.
The conclusion wraps up your research paper by discussing future research and provides your own personal insight. It is mostly clear, concise, engaging, and thought provoking.
The conclusion is unfocused or may be confusing at times. It might require more insight or assessment to complete the paper. It may not discuss future research.
The conclusion is incomplete and/or unclear. It does not utilize enough insight or assessment to complete the paper. It does not discuss future research.
Missing/No Evidence
Research Questions Clearly stated, posed in proper format
Includes 2 questions, both formatted properly
Includes 2 questions, one may not be formatted properly
Missing one question and/or questions may not be posed in proper format
Missing one or both questions, questions not posed in proper format
Research questions inadequate or missing