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Mini Paper 2 (30 points possible)**
The purpose of this assignment is to learn more about the day-to-day reality of the juvenile justice system (JJS).
For this assignment, you will conduct an interview with someone who has been employed in the juvenile justice
system (JJS) within the last five years (please select someone other than yourself). You will first prepare a list
of ten interview questions to submit to the professor for approval worth 10 points.
** Conduct the interview using appropriate social distancing measures (e.g., phone, Skype, Facetime, etc.).
Once the interview is complete, prepare a summary of your findings in a typed, two-page paper submitted
online worth 20 points (for a total of 30 points).
Due Dates
• Ten drafted interview questions are due for instructor approval by Sun, Nov 22 by 11:59pm.
• The final paper is due by Fri, Dec 11, 11:59pm.
Instructions
• For this assignment, you will conduct an interview with someone who has been employed in the
JJS within the last five years.
o This can include someone who works in policing, courts, corrections, or other services (e.g.,
social work, counseling, etc.), but they must be assigned specifically to juvenile cases (e.g., not
HR).
o It is okay to use someone you already know, but you may not base the paper off of your personal
experiences.
o Interviews may be conducted in-person, over the phone, or over Skype, but opt for what is most
convenient for the interview subject.
• Questions must be prepared and approved by the professor in advance (10 points possible).
o Prepare a minimum of 10 questions (10-15 questions is good for a 30-60 minute interview).
o If you have not selected a specific person at this point, keep your questions general.
o Tips on how to prepare questions are discussed below.
o You may want to record your interview and take notes so that you can refer back to them later.
• Once you have completed the interview, prepare a two-page paper summarizing your findings
about the interviewee’s experiences (20 points possible).
o Prepare a paper briefly summarizing relevant information about your interviewee and their
experiences in the JJS.
o Your report should be a formal written document typed in paragraph style (avoid bullet
points). It may help to organize the paper by devoting a paragraph to what led to the subject’s
current employment, a paragraph to their current job/roles, and a paragraph to what they like and
dislike about their work.
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o Be specific about who you interviewed, when and where, what their position is, etc. Use
examples from your interviewee’s experiences to demonstrate your points.
o Formatting requirements: typed, 12-point font, double-spaced, one-inch margins, Times New
Roman typeface, correct citations as necessart
▪ A minimum of two pages is required, but you will not be penalized for a longer paper.
▪ Please pay attention to formatting. You will lose points if your paper is incorrectly
formatted.
▪ Cite sources of information both within and at the end of your document. Use in-text
citations when you paraphrase or quote other sources, and include a complete reference at
the end of your paper. APA or MLA style will be accepted.
▪ Submit a Word.docx file
Tips for developing interview questions:
• The goal of the interview is to learn about the subject’s overall experiences during their time in the JJS,
including what led to their current employment, how they would describe their job/roles, who they work
with, what they like and dislike about work, etc.
o Feel free to ask any additional questions of interest to you as long as those questions are
respectful and appropriate. For example, AVOID asking questions about traumatic experiences
(e.g., shooting someone or an unexpected death) unless the subject brings it up.
• Opt for open-ended questions that provoke an in-depth response rather than a simple “yes” or “no.”
o For example, you might ask:
▪ GOOD: “Can you tell me about how and why you became a [school resource officer]?”
▪ BAD: “Were you always interested in the juvenile justice system?” (yes/no)
• Avoid leading questions. Leading questions encourage a certain answer rather than the subject’s natural
response.
o Example of a leading question: “Don’t you just hate criminals?”
• Probes are used during the interview and are useful for gathering more information about responses.
o For example, you might say:
▪ “Can you tell me a little more about that?”
▪ “What do you mean by _____?”
▪ “How so?”
▪ “Is there anything else… (e.g., you like/dislike about your job)?”
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Tips for the interview:
• As you are probably aware, it is important to be courteous and respectful toward the person you
interview.
• Start brainstorming and contact your interviewee well in advance so they have time to prepare and work
it into their schedule. This also helps if the first person you choose doesn’t work out. You will still have
time to find another interviewee.
o Be mindful of the fact that this person is taking time out of their day to help you with this
assignment and for free. Use their time wisely!
• Dress professionally for your interview (e.g., dress slacks, skirt/dress, button up shirt or polo,
professional blouse, dress shoes). If it is a virtual interview, prepare a simple, professional outfit to wear
within the visible portion, and plan adjustments for technical difficulties or bad weather.
• Arrive prepared.
o If in-person:
▪ Scout out the location of your interview ahead of time.
▪ Plan to arrive a few minutes early.
o If virtual:
▪ Prepare a plan for technical difficulties. If the interview will be conducted by phone, call
at the exact time agreed upon by your subject. If virtual, arrive to the interview 10
minutes early, so you have time to deal with any technical difficulties and you don’t leave
your subject waiting.
o Print out your questions so you have them on hand if needed.
o Memorize (or at least review) your questions before the interview.
o Thank the subject for helping you with this project.
o Have a notepad and pen on hand to take notes.
▪ If you record the interview, you MUST ask subject permission first.
• Start off the interview with small talk and explain the purpose of the interview.
o Ask questions in a logical order rather than jumping from one topic to another at random.
o Pay attention, show interest, and let your subject do most of the talking.
o Non-verbals are important:
▪ Lean forward slightly to show interest, don’t cross arms or legs, make eye contact, nod
your head or verbally acknowledge that you’re listening.
• End on a positive note. Be sure to thank them again for their time.
o Adding this note to the end of your list of questions is a helpful reminder.