CRJU 2301/01: Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Fall 2010
TR 9:30 – 10:45am
Social Science Building, Room 3027
Professor:
Dr. Jennifer McMahon-Howard
Office:
Room 4074, Social Sciences Building
Office Phone: 678-797-2643
Email: jmcmaho7@kennesaw.edu
Office Hours:
Tuesday & Thursday: 11:00 – 12:00
Other meeting times available by appointment.
Prerequisite: CRJU 1101
Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to concepts and techniques of social science research. Students
will (a) become familiar with levels of measurement, sampling techniques, research design, and
research techniques, and (b) apply these techniques to the study of specific research questions in
criminal justice.
Course Objectives:
(1) To provide students with a basic understanding of the scientific approach to studying crime and
criminal justice.
(2) To explore and critique research methods and to apply these methods to real-life events.
(3) To enhance the students’ ability to think critically about criminological issues and to
communicate their knowledge and assessment to others.
Textbook: Basics of Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology (2nd ed) by Michael
G. Maxfield and Earl Babbie. 2009.
Course Materials: All students are expected to purchase the textbook assigned for this class,
Basics of Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology (2nd ed) by Michael G. Maxfield
and Earl Babbie. The textbook is available for purchase at the university bookstore. Other assigned
readings and course material (i.e., the syllabus, assignments, etc.) can be found on the
GeorgiaVIEW (formerly WebCT) page for this course. To logon to GeorgiaVIEW go to
http://vista.kennesaw.edu/ and click on “log in” under the section for KSU access to the NEW
GeorgiaVIEW Vista for Fall 2009. I will use GeorgiaVIEW to post assignments and
announcements. In addition to using GeorgiaVIEW to receive such assignments and
announcements, you should use GeorgiaVIEW to communicate with me and/or your classmates by
posting comments and questions on discussion boards. I may post opportunities for extra credit on
GeorgiaVIEW, so I suggest that you check GeorgiaVIEW regularly.
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Class Format: The format for each class will consist of a mixture of lecture, discussion, and lab
activities. Although the lectures will correspond with the assigned readings, students should not rely
on the lectures to teach the material covered in the readings. Students should come to class prepared
to ask questions about the readings and to participate in all discussions and activities.
Course Requirements:
(1) Attendance: Class attendance is required and will affect your final grade in the following
way:
0 - 1 days missed = 2 points added to final grade
2 days missed = 1 point added to final grade
3 days missed = no grade change
4 days missed = 2 points subtracted from final grade
5 or more days missed = 4 points subtracted from final grade
Attendance will be taken every day by passing around an attendance sheet. It is your responsibility
to make sure you sign the attendance sheet. If you will miss class due to a scheduled University
Sponsored Event, let me know during the first week of class (documentation may be required).
(2) Class Participation (10% of final grade): Students are expected to come to each class
fully prepared to discuss the assigned readings. Therefore, students should complete all assigned
readings prior to class. Attendance is taken at the beginning of every class and active participation
in class discussions is assessed during each class. We will also have in-class exercises, which will
count toward your participation grade. You must be in class to complete theses exercises. There
are no make-up assignments.
(3) Exams (15% each): There are three exams for this course. The first exam is scheduled for
September 16, the second exam is scheduled for October 21, and the third exam is scheduled for
November 23. Each exam consists of multiple choice and short answer questions from the
readings, lectures, exercises, and assignments preceding each exam. Make-up exams will be given
at the discretion of the instructor and only under certain circumstances (i.e., serious illness or family
emergency). To be considered eligible for a make-up exam, students must contact the professor
prior to the originally scheduled exam time. Make-up exams will be essay exams.
(4) Assignments (10% each):
You will have two written assignments that are designed to help you work towards your Research
Proposal. In Assignment 1 (due 9/29), you will define the problem you wish to investigate,
formulate a research question, define your independent and dependent variables, and situate your
research within the academic literature on the topic. In Assignment 2 (due 10/29), you will create a
hypothesis, operationalize your independent and dependent variables, and discuss how you would
measure your concepts. You will also have one lab assignment. For Assignment 3 (due 11/12),
you will use SPSS to analyze data on offender recidivism and you will be required to write up your
results. See posts on GeorgiaVIEW for more detailed instructions for each assignment.
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(5) Research Proposal (15% of final grade):
The final paper in this course will be a research proposal you develop on a criminal justice topic of
your choice. For your proposal, you will not actually collect or analyze data. You will, however,
present plans on how the data would be collected and analyzed. This proposal will build upon your
first two written assignments, and will also include information on sampling and methods of data
gathering and analysis. The final research proposal is due on December 1st. See post on
GeorgiaVIEW for more detailed instructions for each assignment.
***Late Assignment/Paper Policy***
Any assignment or paper that is turned in late will be penalized 10 points per day.
Grades and Evaluation
Grades for the course will be based on the following items:
Requirement
Class Participation
3 Exams
3 Assignments
Research Proposal
Total
Attendance
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
Percentage of Final Grade
10%
45%
30%
15%
100%
+2, +1, 0, -2, -4
90 and above
80 – 89.9
70 – 79.9
60 – 69.9
59.9 and below
Withdrawal after the midpoint deadline (Monday, October 11) will result in a grade of WF.
Disabilities:
Students with a documented disability should meet with the instructor during the first week of class
to discuss any special classroom or testing accommodations needed. Also, a number of services are
available to help students with disabilities with their academic work. In order to make arrangements
for special services, students must visit the Office for disAbled Student Support Services and make
an appointment to arrange an individual assistance plan. In most cases, certification of disability is
required.
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Academic Integrity Statement
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as
published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of Conduct
addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism
and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of
University records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library
materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student
identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the
established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an “informal”
resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure,
which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension
requirement.
Disruption of Campus Life Statement
It is the purpose of the institution to provide a campus environment, which encourages academic
accomplishment, personal growth, and a spirit of understanding and cooperation. An important part
of maintaining such an environment is the commitment to protect the health and safety of every
member of the campus community. Belligerent, abusive, profane, threatening and/ or inappropriate
behavior on the part of students is a violation of the Kennesaw State University Student Conduct
Regulations. Students who are found guilty of such misconduct may be subject to immediate
dismissal from the institution. In addition, these violations of state law may also be subject to
criminal action beyond the University disciplinary process.
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Tentative Course Outline
The purpose of the course outline is to assist you in preparing for each class. The schedule and
content of the course outline may change as deemed necessary by the instructor. Deviations from
the schedule will be announced in class and students are responsible for keeping up with all
schedule changes.
DATE
ACTIVITY
READ
8/17
Introduction to the course, library research
8/19
Scientific Inquiry
Ch 1
9/24
Scientific Inquiry (cont)
How to Choose a Research Topic?
Ethics and Criminal Justice Research
Ch 2
9/02
Ethics (cont)
In-class Activity: IRB
General Issues in Research Design
Ch 3
9/07
General Issues in Research Design (cont)
9/09
9/14
Mini Research Proposal Due
Concepts, Operationalization, and Measurement
Concepts, Operationalization, and Measurement (cont)
9/16
EXAM #1
9/21
Parts of a Research Paper
In-class Activity: Dissecting a Research Article
How to Write the Introduction and Literature Review
9/23
9/28
09/30
Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs
Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs (cont)
Data Collections and Sampling
10/05
10/07
Data Collections and Sampling (cont)
Survey Research and Asking Questions
8/26
8/31
Syllabus
Ch 4
Exam includes
chapters 1-4
Read an article
discussing a
research study &
bring it to class
Ch 5
Ch 6
Ch 7
** 10/11 Last Day to Withdraw Without Academic Penalty
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10/12
Assignment # 1 Due: Introduction and Literature Review
10/14
Survey Research (cont)
Field Research
10/19
Ch 8
10/21
Field Research (cont)
How to Write the Hypotheses and Methods Sections
Exam 2
10/26
Agency Records and Secondary Data
10/28
Agency Records and Secondary Data (cont)
In-class Activity: Search datasets from ICPSR
11/02
Evaluation Research and Policy Analysis
In-class Lab Activity: Introduction to SPSS
Explore Recidivism Dataset
In-Class Lab Activity: Create Variables
Ch 10
Ch 11
11/11
Assignment # 2 Due: Methods Section
Interpreting Data
In-Class Lab Activity: Run Descriptive Statistics
Interpreting Data (cont)
11/16
In-Class Lab Activity: Run Analyses
11/18
Continue Running Analyses
11/23
Exam 3
11/25
NO CLASS: FALL BREAK
11/30
12/02
Assignment # 3 Due: Statistical Analysis
The Pros and Cons of Research Methods for Criminal Justice
Writing Workshop (Bring Rough Draft of Proposal)
12/09
RESEARCH PROPOSAL DUE by 9:30am
11/04
11/09
Exam includes
chapters 5-8
Ch 9
Exam includes
chapters 9-11
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COURSE SYLLABUS REVIEW STATEMENT AND SIGNATURE FORM
I have carefully read the syllabus for Research Methods for Criminal Justice, Fall Semester 2010, and have
had the opportunity to ask the professor any questions I may have about it. I understand its contents,
including the course requirements and grading policy.
____________________________________________
Print Name
____________________________________________
Signature
_________________
Date
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