English homework help. research paper on Mass Incarceration
 
RESEARCH PAPER (final essay 40%) REQUIREMENTS The purpose of this paper is to enable you to complete an original research project on a relevant topic in the administration of justice. Drawing on the extant literature and using your own unique research frame, you will develop and complete a research paper that answers your unique questions (your electives classes in AJ will help) about an issue in the administration of justice. While your own interests will guide your research, it is crucial to use the literature available to develop an informed and professional research paper.
Paper Requirements: After your topic is selected and approved. (1) Abstract: should include your research questions, the theory or theories that inform your research, the methods of data collection and analysis (see AJ 301/2) to be used, and what you believe you will find as a result of your study (see course objectives). (2) BODY: After you have identified a specific topic, you will then develop your own unique area of discussion and analysis: introduction, literature review, theory and methods, and possible finding (your previous courses in AJ will help such as AJ 100,105, 211,240, etc.). (3) Citations: You must use the APA guide for identifying authors cited in the text as well as the bibliography listing all sources used in alphabetical order. If you are not familiar with APA, there are reference guides in the library as well as on-line sources. (4) Placement of graphs, figures, or tables: If you use graphs, figures, or tables in your paper, I would prefer that you note their location in the text, [TABLE 1 HERE], and compile all tables at the end of the paper. This is easier for both the writer and the reader. (5) Format: Papers must be type, double spaced, with one-inch side, top, and bottom margins and use a 12-point font. A cover page with the title and your name is sufficient. The minimum page requirement for the paper is 15 pages (NOTE: cover, reference, graphs, figures and, tables pages will not be counted as part of the 12 pages). While I do not specify a maximum length, I am anticipating that most people will submit papers 12 pages long.
WRITING GUIDELINES: The guidelines presented here are meant as suggestions, tips for writing research papers. This is not an exhaustive list as there are numerous approaches to writing. The guidelines are a reflection of what I look for in good writing. Other instructors may have different perspectives. It is good to know the expectations of the audience for whom you write.
Be clear about your main theme or topic. It is sometimes easy to get side-tracked with alternative explanations or tangential issues. Stay focused on your topic.
Clearly define your research question(s). In Criminal Justice, people sometimes use the word hypothesis which may be accepted by some writers, but is a bit of a misnomer. Unless you are conducting an experiment in a controlled environment, you are not testing a hypothesis. Rather, you have a research question or questions that you will investigate.
If you are using quantitative analysis, you may be testing for correlation between variables. Correlation should not be mistaken for factual proof. You may have some assurances that there is a relationship between variables, but this does not necessarily mean one causes the other.
Qualitative analysis is no less rigorous than quantitative analysis, but is seeking to find a greater breadth and depth of information about the issues you are studying. This does not mean you only describe what is, but rather that you delve deeper into meanings, context, and content to better understand the subject you are studying.
The structure of your paper for this class will have four main components: introduction, literature review, theory and methods, and findings.

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