14 Sep How does community policing impact crime rates in urban vs. rural areas? 2. What role does restorative justice play in reducing recidivism compared to trad

CRIJ 3324.1

Research Methods

University of Houston-Victoria

Fall 2024

professor: Dr. Sara Zedaker

Office: University West 242

Email: [email protected]

Class Hours: ONLINE

Classroom: Virtual

Office Hours: Tuesday/thursday 9am-11am

**Email is the best form of contact. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, I will respond within 24 hours**

Required Textbooks

Bachman, R. D., & Schutt, R. K. (2018). The practice of research in criminology and criminal justice (8th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN 9781071857793

Course Description

This course will introduce students to the methods of research in criminal justice and criminology. This course will introduce students to statistical methods, including measures of central tendency, measures of variability, the normal distribution, and inferential statistics. The prerequisite for this course is CRIJ 3318.

Learning Objectives

1. Students will identify terminology used in research design.

2. Students will identify and dissect fundamental concepts in social science research

3. Students will gain quantitative proficiency.

Course Grading

Progress Checks	Points	Total Points
Step 1: Research Questions & Data Source	50 Points	50 Points
Step 2: Literature Review	100 Points	100 Points
Step 3: Methods	100 Points	100 Points
Final Research Proposal	100 Points	100 Points
Midterm Exam	100 Points	100 Points
Final Exam	100 Points	100 Points
	TOTAL	550 Points

Final course grades are calculated based on total points earned across all assignments outlined above:

Total Points	Total Percent		Grade Letter
493-550 Points	90-100%	=	A
438-492 Points	80-89%	=	B
383-437 Points	70-79%	=	C
328-382 Points	60-69%	=	D
327 & Below	59% or Less	=	F

Course Requirements

1) Exams

Two online examinations will be given, covering the primary topics of the course. It will include multiple choice and true/false questions. The exams will be worth 100 points each. A review will be provided.

2) Research project

In case you are struggling to come up with a good research question, here are some ideas …these should at least show you kind of what I am looking for!

1. How does community policing impact crime rates in urban vs. rural areas?

2. What role does restorative justice play in reducing recidivism compared to traditional punitive approaches?

3. What is the impact of solitary confinement on the mental health of inmates?

4. How does family involvement in the juvenile justice system process impact outcomes for young offenders?

5. What are the barriers to reporting sexual assault in different communities (you’d have to be specific here), and how can they be overcome?

6. How effective are electronic monitoring systems in reducing recidivism among parolees?

7. How does the public perception of the judicial system influence jury decisions? 

Students will create a research proposal throughout the semester using secondary data. The final product of this project is a written research proposal due on December 8, 2024.

Step 1: Specify research questions and identify data source: Each student is asked to submit a one-page statement to specify one-two research questions they would like to research in-depth. In this assignment, each student should also identify at least one existing data source that can be used to study these research questions (at least one data source per question—these can be the same data source, but the two should be linked). Briefly describe the data source, including the following information in the assignment: the name of the data source, whether this data source is publicly available or not, who manages the data, and what variables can be used to support your study in the data. 50 points. Due September 29, 2024.

Step 2: Literature Review: This assignment will be used as the literature review section in your final proposal. Please follow the instruction in "Research Methods Proposal Structure” below to finish this assignment. In this assignment, your main task is to establish why your topic is important to criminal justice practice. Use literature (10 peer reviewed journal articles at a minimum) to support your argument for the relevance of the project. The literature review is worth 100 points. Due October 27, 2024.

Step 3: Methods: This assignment will be used as the methods section in your final proposal. Please follow the instruction in “Research Methods Proposal Structure” below to finish this assignment. Methods are worth 100 points. Due November 17, 2024.

Step 4: Final Research Proposal: The final research proposal will consist of a problem statement, research questions (any why these are important), a literature review, conceptual model, and a data collection and analysis plan (see below). This proposal should incorporate suggestions/edits from previous submissions and be concluded within 13 pages, not including a title page and references. The written proposal is worth 100 points. Due December 8, 2024.

Research Methods Proposal Structure

General Assignment Formatting:

· 12 point, Times New Roman, 1” margins, double-spaced

· Name only in the upper right corner

· In-text references used and properly cited in a final reference page using APA

Literature Review:

· Introduction:

· Introduction. Provide an opening paragraph that introduces the topic and identifies the focus of your topic.

· Statement of the problem or issue. Describe the problem or issue. Describe what is known about the topic in empirical terms…How many? How much? Etc…

· Significance: Why is the topic important?

· Review the literature on the chosen topic. What are the major arguments, theories, and findings? What is understood and not understood? What needs to be resolved before this topic area can move forward? What are the major gaps in the knowledge base on this topic? This is your opportunity to demonstrate the variety of sources of literature that you have learned to identify.

· Conceptual framework or theory . What is the conceptual framework or theory that guides your research questions/hypotheses? Create a figure that shows the relationships between constructs and describe it as it relates to your project. Your discussion should clearly identify the following: Dependent and independent variables of interest and a conceptual framework showing clear relationships between/among variables.

· Research question or specific hypotheses (i.e., testable statement): Clearly state your research question or questions and/or hypothesis/hypotheses.

· Overall: 5-7 pages, title page, and reference page (not included in the page total)

Methods:

· Research design. What research design will you use to answer your research question(s) or test your hypothesis?

· Data collection or data source: Describe how you will obtain the data needed for your research design or how the data was previously collected.

· Variables and their measurement. What is the dependent variable and how is it measured? What are the independent variables and how are they measured?

· Data analysis. How will you analyze the data? What data analytic techniques will you use?

· Conclusions: Summarize your project and convince the reader again why it is important and what it will contribute.

· Overall: 4-6 pages, title page, and reference page (not included in the page total)

Make-up exams/late work policy:

All assignments/exams will have specific due dates noted in the course calendar. Failure to submit your assignments/exams by the deadline will result in an automatic 10% reduction. If your assignment/exam is not turned in by the end of the 4th day, you will receive a zero. For example, if an assignment is due at 11:59pm on a Sunday and you turn it in that Thursday by 11:59pm, you will receive 10% off your grade. If you do not turn it in until that Friday, you will receive a zero.

Academic Honesty/Plagiarism

If you cheat, plagiarize, or any other form of academic dishonesty as expressed in the University policy outlined below, you will receive a zero for the assignment. The use of ChatGPT or any other AI software is strictly forbidden and its use counts as cheating. As such, if I catch you using any form of AI software, you will receive a zero on the assignment.

Technical Issues

In case you encounter a technical problem that precludes you from submitting assignments on time, contact me by email ASAP. You must take a photo of your computer screen that shows the error message. Attach the photo to the email. If you do not inform me of a technical difficulty until after the due date, you will be penalized per the above policies.

University Policies

Academic Honesty Policy

Academic Integrity: “Students. . . have a responsibility to fulfill, and indeed an investment to protect, in helping to ensure that academic achievement is characterized by honesty and fair play” (UHV Student Handbook). The University takes academic integrity very seriously. It is your responsibility to understand what behavior violates academic honesty rules and to understand the consequences for such violations. Please refer to the UHV Student Handbook: https://www.uhv.edu/handbook/academic-honesty-policy/

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is an increasingly common form of academic misconduct. All of the following are considered plagiarism:

· turning in someone else's work as your own

· copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit

· failing to put a quotation in quotation marks

· giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation

· changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit

· copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not.

Most cases of plagiarism can be avoided, however, by citing sources. Simply acknowledging that certain material has been borrowed and providing your audience with the information necessary to find that source, is usually enough to prevent plagiarism. Please refer to the UHV Student Handbook: https://www.uhv.edu/student-success-center/resources/e-p/plagiarism/.

Services for Students with Disabilities

The University of Houston System complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments / auxiliary aids for students who have a disability.  In accordance with Section 504 and ADA guidelines, the University of Houston-Victoria strives to provide reasonable academic adjustments / auxiliary aids to students who request and require them. If you believe that you have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid, please contact the UHV Office of Disability Services; University Commons, 2108 A; Office – 361-570-4287; Fax – 361-580-5504; Email – Disability Services ([email protected] );  Website – Disability Services (www.uhv.edu/disability-services).

Student Services

The Student Success Center offers writing assistance, subject-area tutoring, testing services, and information resources. For additional information call (361) 570-4288 or Toll Free: 1-877-970-4848, ext. 288, or visit their website: https://www.uhv.edu/student-success-center/.

Grievance Procedure

If you have a non-academic grievance or complaint, please contact Student Services at (361) 470-4133. If you have an academic grievance or complaint, please contact your school’s dean. Please refer to the UHV Student Handbook for additional information: http://www.uhv.edu/HandBook/.

Student Conduct

Students are expected to participate in a mutually respectful learning environment. If your behavior is disruptive, I will remove you from class and you will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs and/or the Academic Dean. Disruptive behavior is defined by the Student Code of Conduct as:

“3.6 Disruptive Classroom Conduct – Disruptive classroom conduct means engaging in behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor’s ability to teach or student learning.  The classroom extends to any setting where a student is engaged in work toward academic credit or satisfaction of program-based requirements or related activities.” ( https://www.uhv.edu/handbook/code-of-conduct/)

Title IX: Sexual Misconduct Policy

The University of Houston System (UHS) including UHV seeks to provide an educational environment free from sex discrimination, including non‐consensual sexual contact, sexual assault, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence and stalking. We encourage you to report any sexual misconduct to UHV Title IX Coordinator (361-570-4835; University West 116). If you report any sexual misconduct to me, I am required to share that information with our Title IX Coordinators. For more information about the UHS Sexual Misconduct policy and counseling and support resources available to you, go to: http://www.uhv.edu/title-ix

Face Covering policy

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the University is requiring the use of face coverings on campus including classrooms for both faculty and students. Faculty may use a face shield during instruction, any other time when a faculty member is not in a private office, a face covering will be worn. With very limited, preapproved exceptions, students must wear a face covering. Face coverings must cover your mouth and nose and be worn throughout the class session. A mask with a valve is not considered an adequate face covering and should not be used, as it can expel exhaled air, increasing the risk to others. Eating or drinking during class is discouraged and is not an excuse for removing the face covering for any extended length of time. Failure to comply with the requirement to wear a face covering in class will result in your being asked to leave the classroom immediately and a disciplinary referral through the judicial office in Student Life. Requests for accommodations relating to the face covering policy may be directed to Cheryl Worley in Disability Services.

Excused absence policy

Regular class attendance, participation, and engagement in coursework are important contributors to student success. Absences may be excused for reasons including: medical illness of student or close relative, death of a close family member, legal or government proceeding that a student is obligated to attend, recognized professional and educational activities where the student is presenting, and University-sponsored activity or athletic competition. Attendance in a synchronous class (for classes that are hybrid/online or online/synchronous) count as class attendance.

Syllabus changes

Due to the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, please note that the instructor may need to make modifications to the course syllabus and may do so at any time. Notice of such changes will be announced as quickly as possible through Bb classes and/or UHV email.

uhv email

Email communications related to this course will be sent to your UHV email account, which each University of Houston-Victoria student receives, and/or through BB classes.

course delivery formats and final exams

This course is taught asynchronously, which means there is no designated day or time assigned to the course (although optional synchronous sessions are possible, such as virtual office hours or discussion groups). Asynchronous instruction generally involves accessing content, such as recorded video lectures, readings, discussion prompts, assignments, and assessments during a flexible time frame, with due dates as specified. This course may have a final exam at the course conclusion. The exam will be asynchronous, and the date and time that it will be released and due will be announced during the course. Prior to the exam, descriptive information, such as the number and types of exam questions, resources and collaborations that are allowed and disallowed in the process of completing the exam, and procedures to follow if connectivity or other resource obstacles are encountered during the exam period, may be provided.

helpful information

Health FAQs. https://www.uhv.edu/covid-19/frequently-asked-questions/

Health Services: https://www.uhv.edu/counseling/health-services/

5

Course Schedule

WEEK	CLASS DATE	TOPIC	ASSIGNED READINGS	ASSIGNMENT DUE
1	8/26—9/1	Science, Society, and Research	Chapter 1
2	9/2—9/8	The Process and Problems of Research	Chapter 2
3	9/9—9/15	Ethical Guidelines for Research Measurement	Chapter 3
4	9/16—9/22	Conceptualization and Measurement	Chapter 4	CITI Training Due
5	9/23—9/29	Sampling	Chapter 5	Step 1: Research Questions & Data Source Due
6	9/30—10/6	Causation and Research Design	Chapter 6
7	10/7—10/13	Related Tags Academic APA Assignment Business Capstone College Conclusion Course Day Discussion Double Spaced Essay English Finance General Graduate History Information Justify Literature Management Market Masters Math Minimum MLA Nursing Organizational Outline Pages Paper Presentation Questions Questionnaire Reference Response Response School Subject Slides Sources Student Support Times New Roman Title Topics Word Write Writing