RESEARCH METHODS FOR CRIME SCIENTISTS Week 1 Lecturer: Maria Konstantinou Fall Semester 2015-2016
Course Description language and methods of social science research as applied to the information needs of criminal justice practitioners and policy-makers. sufficient skills to understand, interpret and critically evaluate research studies and findings in the field of criminal justice. basic elements of: research design, Conceptualization, measurement of theoretical ideas, sampling, data gathering, and interpretation of findings. conduct basic research basis for understanding more advanced topics recognize when research methods are properly and improperly applied.
Assessment method and weight 50% coursework (Passing Mark 50%) mid-term examination: 20% assignment: 25% participation: 5% (70% attendance) 50% final examination
Assignment 2000 (+/- 10%) words Evaluation Criteria: Structure and Cohesion Arguments and logical continuation of the arguments Documentation Expression Sources Originality Plagiarism: 25%..\..\My Documents\Downloads\sample-experiment-paper- 1.pdf
TOPIC Why is it important for Crime Scientists to conduct research?
Contents ΕΙΣΑΓΩΓΗ - σύντομη και ελκυστική - ανακοινώστε το θέμα το οποίο θα αναπτύξετε - αναφέρετε τα κύρια σημεία τα οποία θα αναπτύξετε στο κύριο μέρος, με τη σειρά στην οποία θα τα αναλύσετε (σύντομο 10% του συνόλου των λέξεων) ΚΥΡΙΟ ΜΕΡΟΣ - ανάπτυξη των κύριων σημείων που αναφέρατε στην εισαγωγή κατά σειρά - η ανάλυση να υποστηρίζεται με βιβλιογραφία, άλλες μελέτες και έρευνες - να υπάρχει σύνδεση μεταξύ των παραγράφων και να ακολουθείται μια λογική στην ανάπτυξη του θέματος (περισσότερο) ΣΥΜΠΕΡΑΣΜΑΤΑ - συνοπτική αναφορά για το τι ειπώθηκε σύμφωνα με τα σημεία που παρουσιάστηκαν στο κύριο μέρος - απόψεις / εισηγήσεις σας (ποια είναι η θέση σας για το τι παρουσιάστηκε στο κύριο μέρος) (10% του συνόλου των λέξεων)
Sources Library Google Scholar
PLAGIARISM Plagiarism is defined as to take and use [the thoughts, writings, inventions, inventions etc of another] as one s own (Concise Oxford Dictionary, 8th edition 1990) Cases of: word-for-word reproduction of material and for those cases where students, through serious or consistent failure to acknowledge the source of material, pass off the ideas, arguments, evidence or work of others as their own, albeit without any word-for-word duplication.
How to avoid plagiarism Keep track of your sources; print electronic sources Keep sources in correct context Plan ahead Don't cut and paste: File and label your sources Keep your own writing and your sources separate Keep your notes and your draft separate Paraphrase carefully in your notes; acknowledge your sources explicitly when paraphrasing Avoid reading a classmate's paper for inspiration. Don't save your citations for later Quote your sources properly Harvard Guide to Using Sources *** http://plagiarisma.net/
Required Textbook Fundamentals in Criminology and Criminal JusticeAuthor(s) Bachman, R. & Schutt, R.K. SAGE Edition:SecondYear:2010
Content of the Course 1. Course introduction/ Syllabus Review Purpose and Goals of Criminal Justice Research 2. Basics of the Scientific MethodQuantitative VS Qualitative Methods 3. Issues and Traditions in Criminal Justice ResearchLiterature Review and Readings of Journal Articles Case study Stanford Prison Experiment 4. Ethics in Criminal Justice Research General Ethical Principles Evaluating Ethical Principles 5. Validity, Reliability and the UCR Classical Experiments Quasi Experimental and Other Research Designs 6. Threats to Internal and External Validity Basic Principles of Sampling Types of Samples
Content of the Course 7. Introduction to Survey Research Conducting Survey Research and Evaluating Surveys 8. Introduction to Scaling and Levels of Measurement Types of Scales and Uses of Scales 9. Basics of Qualitative Research and Participant Observation Data Collection in Participant Observation 10. Selecting a Setting, Recording and Analyzing Data Field Notes 11. Types of Qualitative Interviews Conducting Qualitative Interviews 12. Focus Groups Content Analysis Types of Evaluation Research Performance Indicators in Evaluation Research Types of Evaluation Research Designs