Research proposal

The assignment paper should be comprised of a cover page, body of the assignment (between 10-12

pages), and a reference page. The total assignment should range between 12-14 pages. No bullet

points are allowed. Please ensure that your assignment includes the following elements:

1. Any professional format is acceptable, but it must be consistent (i.e., APA, MLA, etc.)

2. Cover page (not included in the 10-12 pages)

o Title of paper (not Assignment 1 – be creative)

o Date

o Name & student number

o Class and semester

o Instructor’s name

3. Introduction (1-2 Pages)

o Broad description of the topic; importance of the topic

o Clearly stated, testable hypothesis

o Overview of the remaining components of the paper, including literature review, research

design, and data collection.

4. Literature Review: (3-4 pages) Brief review/description of previous research on this topic

o No Internet references are allowed, you must use books and/or journal articles. One

exception to this rule is government web-sites, such as the Department of Justice, etc.

5. Theory (3 Paragraphs)

Present a theoretical explanation for why the variables of interest should be related; this

discussion may also draw on previous research to support your hypothesis

6. Methods (in no particular order)

o Research Design: Describe the type of research design

 Discuss how this design meets or does not meet the criteria of causality (i.e.,

benefits and limitations of design); link this discussion to your research

 Include strengths and weaknesses of the proposed design (i.e., validity and

reliability are important to discuss)

o Data Collection: Identify the type of data collection method

o Sampling: Describe the type of sampling

 Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this style relative to your research

o Reliability & Validity: Discuss relevant reliability and/or validity issues

 Conclusion: Short summary of the research proposal

 References (not included in the 10-12 pages)

*************Potential Research Topics***********

 Policing

o Citizen attitudes toward or belief about the police

o Police actions (citations, arrests, searches, use of force)

o Police tactics/strategies (i.e., community policing, zero tolerance policing, etc.)

o Police-community relations; Treatment of minorities

 Courts

o Citizen attitudes toward or belief about the court system

o Pre-trial diversion

o Prosecutorial discretion

o Sentencing

o Specialty courts

o Supreme Court

 Corrections

o Citizen attitudes toward or belief about the correctional system

o Punishment vs. rehabilitation

o Risk assessment

o Probation

o Parole

o Receividism