KIM WOODS Assignment 2A: Research Paper Topic

Assignment 2A: Research Paper Topic

YOUR NAME: Charles Todd

The first step in developing your research paper is to identify your topic. The topic should be

one in which you are interested in learning more about, and it must be a topic covered by the

assigned readings of this course. Your topic should be specific, but you also need to ensure

sufficient data and research exists to allow you to meet word count requirements. You can do

this by conducting a quick search of the University’s library or the internet to get a sense of

available academic resources. Remember, all references must be academic in nature.

Wikipedia, blogs, and similar sources are not acceptable.

Provide the following information about your topic:

1. What is the topic of your research paper?

Example: the exclusionary rule

2. In which chapter of the text is the topic discussed?

Example: Chapter 3

3. What type of paper are you writing? (Use types from “Essay Development: Guidelines for Writing Academic Papers.”)

Example: analysis paper

4. Why did you choose this topic?

Example: I chose this topic because the exclusionary rule plays such an important role in the

criminal justice system. The rule is designed to ensure the police respect the rights of accused. If

they violate these rights, the suspect or defendant could be set free, even if he or she is guilty. I

find it interesting that the criminal justice system would intentionally allow a guilty person to go

free, and I am interested in exploring how this rule came about.

5. What aspects of this topic do you intend to discuss?

Example: I intend to discuss exactly what the exclusionary rule means, how it came about, and

why it was established. I will address the legal and constitutional basis of the exclusionary rule,

the limits it places on law enforcement officials, and how it impacts law enforcement operations.

I will also provide any available statistics or data on how often the exclusion rule is used.

6. Based on your preliminary research, are you confident you can find sufficient academic data and resources to complete your paper?

Example: Yes.

7. Do you understand that the instructor must approve your topic, and that you cannot change topics once approved?

Example: Yes.