1.2 Discussion

Getting Started

What sparks your interest within your field of study?  What actually matters to you within the coursework you have dedicated yourself to?  This workshop supplies the latitude to embrace a specific area of subject matter, where you will conduct selected research from within a large spectrum of topics. 

Criminal justice and homeland security contain a multitude of areas that have been previously researched, yet still possess categories that could be deemed uncharted waters.  Researched subjects within these fields do exist in bulk and, when identified, should fall within an area of interest to the researcher.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Discuss a current issue in criminal justice or homeland security incorporating Christian values.

· Assess the relative value of information gleaned through the research process.

· Resources

· Textbook: Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology

· File: Chapter 1.ppt

· Media: Understanding Research

Background Information

In this assignment, you will follow the thought process for selecting a topic of research that will be conducted during this capstone course and serve as the central core of the course's mission.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

2. You used the textbook Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology in the course CRJ-467 Research Methods and Analysis in Criminal Justice. Review the following chapters as needed, in preparation for this assignment: 

a. Chapter 1, “Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods”

b. Appendix A, “How to Write a Research Paper”

3. Download and review the following textbook PowerPoint presentation, as needed, in preparation for this assignment:

a. Chapter 1.ppt    

4. View the lesson presentation Understanding Research.

a. Complete the interactive activities to learn how to identify ideas relating to research topics and strategies for comprehending and evaluating material necessary for conducting research.

5. Think about a topic related to an issue in criminal justice or homeland security that you would like to explore in your capstone research paper.  The issue or research you will examine should allow you to do the following:

a. Create an argument as to whether the topic's current status is producing results to benefit society.

b. Reflect on upcoming societal/political changes important to the criminal justice field or homeland security.

c. Produce valid results and formulate recommendations to assist in resolving a conflict, prevent stagnation relating to important societal matters, or declare a newly produced set of results of a study through updated knowledge and education.

6. Begin brainstorming ideas about creating an argumentative thesis on a criminal justice or homeland security topic.  Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following discussion questions:

a. What problems or policies do you think should be addressed, on a domestic or global level?

b. What questions or controversies in these fields do experts often argue?  Where do you stand?

c. How will you incorporate both Christian and IWU values as a criminal justice or homeland security professional?  Provide examples.

d. Be substantive in your responses.