Research proposal part 2

Age and Crime in Justice: Research Proposal

Emily Gilbert

CJA 334

Age and Crime in Criminal Justice: Research Proposal

Introduction

The age-crime curve, which increases in the teenage years to a peak and then decreases, is very well known. What is less well-known is that it seems to show variations in prevalence, the number of offenders rather than the rate of offending (Mukherjee & Australian Institute of Criminology, 2003). Different types of offenses seem to peak at different ages; probably reflecting on switching of crime rather than replacement of one group of offenders by another.

General Area of Study

The area of study will revolve around the peak of teenage years by describing how age and crime correlates or differ with one another. The study will concentrate mainly on teenage years and how variability in age affects the rate of crime and criminal justice.

Limitations of Study

i. There was difficulty in getting the targeted 600 teenagers involved or have witnessed a crime in the past.

ii. The seriousness of students in undertaking the research study

Background of the Research Problem

Finding the 600 teenagers to participate in the study would prove to a problem especially when the area of study is not known for criminal activities. In addition, the students would be complacent with interviewing those teenagers involved in crime.

Research Questions

1. Why is the area involved in criminal activities?

2. Why is the area full of idle teenagers?

3. What are some of the crimes teens involve themselves in?

It is justifiable that official statistics at any given year is very well known. The typical criminal rate tends to increase from the minimum age of criminal responsibility to arrive at a peak in teenage years. It then declines quickly at first then gradually.

List of Emerging Issues from the Study

1. The teenagers were not corporative enough with the students to warrant a successful study

2. The objectives were not well covered due to time

Reference

Mukherjee, S. K., & Australian Institute of Criminology (2003). Age and crime. Phillip, A.C.T: Australian Institute of Criminology.