San Diego State University
Fall 2015
CJ 540
Planning and Evaluation in Criminal Justice
Tuesday/Thursday 2 – 3:15 pm
Instructor: Sylvia Valenzuela, Ph.D.
E-mail: svalenzuela@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:15-4:15, Thursdays 1 – 2 pm ,and by appt.
Office: PSFA 178
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course offers an introduction to basic techniques in criminal justice research including:
research writing, components of research design, sampling and data collection techniques, for
both quantitative and qualitative methods. An emphasis will be placed on bridging the gap
between theory, research, and criminal justice policy. In addition, the multidisciplinary nature of
criminal justice research will be highlighted.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of the course, you should be able to:
 Formulate testable research questions for criminal justice related topics;
 Select the appropriate research design and method for a particular research question;
 Identify the advantages and disadvantages of different research designs;
 Identify the sampling strategies available for any given research design, as well as the
advantages and disadvantages associated with each;
 Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research methods;
 Be able to understand, summarize, and critique research published in scholarly journals and;
 Develop strong writing skills.
REQUIRED TEXT AND READINGS
 Bachman, R. and Schutt, R. K. (2015). Fundamentals of Research in Criminology and
Criminal Justice, 3rd edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
 Various readings to be posted on Blackboard
METHOD OF EVALUATION
Each student is expected to attend class regularly, complete the assigned readings, homework
and other assignments, and participate in class discussion. Failure to attend class, or submit
assignments will severely affect your overall grade in this course.
Final grades will be based on the following:
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San Diego State University
Fall 2015
Online quizzes (10 @ 10 points each)
Syllabus quiz
Midterm
Attendance and homework
Literature review
Final Project
Final exam
100 points
10 points
50 points
150 points
100 points
100 points
50 points
Total points 560 points
This class will incorporate the use of homework, group work, discussion and quizzes to practice
the principles learned from both the lecture and the textbook. It is imperative that you attend
class regularly because both lecture and practice are fundamental in learning research methods.
Only students with valid documentation will be allowed to make up missed assignments. No late
or emailed assignments will be accepted. Please note: if you miss class you may miss a class
assignment or attendance points. Please do not ask to make up any missed points.
Attendance
Attendance will be taken regularly throughout the semester. I will randomly pick 10 dates to
give you points. If you miss class you will lose attendance points and points on any in-class
assignments.
Homework
Depending on the particular topic covered in class, occasionally you will be given homework
assignments to be completed before the next class meeting. No late or emailed assignments will
be accepted! Homework will be due via Blackboard or in class; occasionally you will be given
class time to work on your homework assignments.
 These assignments will include summarizing peer reviewed journal articles,
interviews, observations, and maybe in class assignments.
 The assignment will require you to focus on the material discussed in class that week.
 These assignments are short (1-2 pages) but should be written at a college level and
include proper grammar, and citations, if necessary.
 These will be submitted via the assignment link on Blackboard, or in hard copy.
o You must submit the assignment using a program that is compatible with
Blackboard and a Windows based operating system. If you use any program
other than .doc (word) and I cannot open it you will not be allowed to
resubmit the assignment.
o Mac users: DO NOT submit your assignment using .pages software. It is not
compatible with Blackboard. If you submit your assignment using pages and
I cannot open it you will NOT be given the opportunity to resubmit and you
will receive a 0 on the assignment.
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San Diego State University
Fall 2015
Quizzes
Quizzes will test your knowledge on topics and concepts discussed in the
lecture & readings. They will be posted on Blackboard and are to be completed online. In order
to take the quizzes you will need reliable internet connectivity. If you do not have this at home,
or the location you plan on taking your quiz, you are strongly encouraged to take the quizzes in a
computer lab on campus. Not having a strong internet connection is NOT a valid excuse for
missing a quiz and such quizzes will not be reset. If your quiz needs to be reset send me an
email explaining what happened. If it is a Blackboard issues, I will reset your quiz. I will NOT
reset quizzes when it is a technical or connectivity issue on your end.
Literature review
Students will complete a writing assignment applying the research and analytical skills learned in
the course. This writing assignment will be described in detail in a separate document later in the
semester. Essentially, you will critique an empirical article from a methodological perspective
using the skills and knowledge obtained in the course.
a. No late papers will be accepted. You are always welcome to turn in an assignment
before the due date.
b. Emailed assignments are NOT accepted.
c. Assignments must be submitted in hard copy.
d. If you are not a strong writer, you are encouraged to visit the Writing Center.
Midterm and Final exam
The midterms and final exams will use multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge of
course material. The final exam will not be cumulative. Each test will have 25 multiple choice
questions, worth two points each.
Final project
The final project will require you to put to use the knowledge of research methods you gained by
designing a research study and creating a survey. More detailed instructions will be provided
later in the semester. It will be submitted in hard copy and online via turnitin.com.
Extra credit
There is NO extra credit in this course.
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Fall 2015
COURSE ISSUES AND POLICIES
Blackboard: It will be crucial for every student to gain access to the course website as various
important announcements and additional course materials (i.e. on-line readings) will be posted
on the site. In addition, it is expected that students have an updated e-mail account, so that they
can receive group e-mails.
Email: I make every effort to respond to emails quickly, please reserve emails to important
questions. In your email please include your name and which class you are enrolled in. If you
send an email over the weekend, please expect a delayed response. Please send any emails to the
address listed on this syllabus.
Classroom Policies: You are expected to arrive on time, and to not disrupt instruction through
talking, laughing, receiving phone calls, snoring, etc. Students are expected to freely express
their views on the various CJ topics that will be discussed in class, as long as they are respectful
of their fellow classmates and their instructor. Please avoid offensive language and behavior or
you will be asked to leave. Class attendance is important, students should come to class prepared
and interested in learning! I expect, encourage, and invite participation.
Late and missed assignments:
No late assignments will be accepted! If you have documentation of having a serious medical
illness, death in the family, or other compelling reason you will be allowed to make up the
missed assignment. However, you are responsible for providing documentation, timely notice,
and completing the document before the next class meeting.
Students with Disabilities:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it
is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any
delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as
soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations
based upon disability cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an
accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Academic Integrity:
The SDSU Standards for Student Conduct (http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/conduct1.html) states that
unacceptable student behavior includes “cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic
dishonesty that are intended to gain unfair academic advantage.” Unprofessional conduct
adversely impacts your fellow students, the criminal justice department, the School of Public
Affairs, SDSU, and yourself. During any stage of the semester, if you deviate from the standards
of academic integrity you will receive a grade of F for the course. In addition, the instructor will
report the event to the Department and the University. The University may decide to apply
additional penalties. Please refer to SDSU Academic Integrity Policy at
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/judicial/index.html for Student Discipline - Rights and
Responsibilities, and http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/judicial/CheatingDisruption.html for Cheating.
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San Diego State University
Fall 2015
Final Grades:
Final grades will be determined based on the following scale:
A
A-
94-100
90-93
B+
B
B-
87-89
83-86
80-82
C+
C
C-
77-79
73-76
70-72
D+
D
D-
67-69
63-66
60-62
F
Below
60%
Excellent. Students presents above average work in all or nearly all aspects
of each assignment. The student demonstrates a clear understanding of
course material; and written assignments have few grammar errors, if any.
Very good. Student demonstrates good work with a possible lapse here or
there. Ideas are clear and properly expressed; the writing is generally good
with some minor grammar errors. Student shows good grasp of course
material.
Average/Good. The student met minimal expectations for the course. The
student’s ideas tend to be oversimplified and lack sufficient explanation or
exploration. Problems may also exist with grammar, logic, or ability to
express thoughts effectively.
Below average. A minimal effort by the student; does not show basic
knowledge of the course materials. Work and effort is below that which one
would normally expect from a college student. Writing may have major
technical problems, and assignments show little effort. Limited or low
participation in class discussions.
A failing grade. Minimal course requirements are not met. Written work
fails to demonstrate college-level proficiency in English language and
shows little to no grasp of concepts.
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San Diego State University
Fall 2015
PROJECTED COURSE SCHEDULE**
Week
1
2
Topic
8/25 and
8/27
9/1* (No
class
meeting)
9/3
3
9/8/ and
9/10
Order textbooks!
-Science, Society, &
Criminological Research
-The Process and
Problems of
Criminological Research
9/15 and
9/17
-Research Ethics and
Philosophies
-discuss reading
-Survey quiz
-complete
reading
Discuss Chapter 1
Quiz #1
Due Date
8/30/15 by
11:59 pm
-article summary
9/6/15 by
11:59 pm
-Find a peer
reviewed journal
article- bring
citation &
abstract to class
Chapter 2
Quiz #2
Read Article: The
Demedicalization of
Self-Injury
-Article
summary
Chapter 3
Quiz #3
9/13/15 by
11:59 pm
9/20/15 by
11:59 pm
Videos on the Stanford
Prison experiment &
Milgram’s obedience to
authority study
5
9/22 and
9/24*
-Conceptualization and
measurement
Chapter 4
6
9/29* and
10/1
-Conceptualization and
measurement cont.
Chapter 4 cont.
-discuss The Experiment
Assignment
-Syllabus
-Read: Facebook Use
Predicts Decline in
Well-Being
-Read Chapter 1
Discuss: Facebook Use
Predicts Decline in WellBeing
-Types of research &
errors in reasoning (in
class)
4
Readings
*9/24--No class
meeting- watch
movie: The
Experiment
*9/29—No class
meeting – watch
Article: The Minneapolis Kinsey
Domestic Violence
Experiment
Quiz #4
-Article
summary
2
10/4/15 by
11:59 pm
San Diego State University
7
7
10/6 and
10/8
Fall 2015
-Sampling
Chapter 5
Quiz #5
-Catch up
Article: The Impact of
Reality Television on the
Alcohol-Related Beliefs
and Behaviors
of Hispanic College
Students
-Article
summary
w/ reference
page
10/13-Midterm review- catch up
10/15-Midterm (Ch. 1-5, articles, & movies)- red, skinny, Parscore scantron
8
10/20 and
10/22
-Causation & Research
Design
-Review midterm
Chapter 6
Article 1: Changes in
self-reported drinking
behaviors among US
teenagers associated
with the introduction of
flavored malt beverages:
An interrupted time
series quasi-experiment
Quiz #6
-Article 1
summary
-Article 2
summary
-Article 3
summary
Article 2- Emotion
Dysregulation and
Coping: Drinking
Motives in College
Women
Article 3: A Longitudinal
Analysis of Cigarette
Prices in Military Retail
Outlets
9
10/27 and
10/29
-Survey Research
Chapter 7
Quiz #7
Chapter 8
Quiz #8
-create interview
schedule &
conduct an
interview
Chapter 9
Quiz #9
-Field
observations
- discuss articles
10
11/3 and
11/5
- Qualitative methods and
data
Literature Review Due
11
11/10 and
11/12
-Analyzing Content:
Crime Mapping and
Historical, Secondary,
Article: Consuming
3
10/11/15 by
11:59 pm
San Diego State University
Fall 2015
and Content Analysis
Eroticism
-Article
summary
Chapter 10
-Article
summary
-Video: Who do you think
you are? and Hitch
Field trip- San Diego
Police Museum (if
they are open)
12
11/17 and
11/19
-Evaluation and Policy
Analysis
Article: The Impact of
Research on Legal
Policy
13
11/24* and 11/26- No class meeting--Happy Thanksgiving
Work on your project!
14
15
12/1 and
12/3
12/8/ and
12/10
-Mixing and Comparing
Methods
-discuss article
Chapter 11
-Reporting Research
Results
Chapter 12
-Article
summary
The Chicago Women’s
Health Risk Study
Quiz #10
(chapters 10-12)
-discuss article
-Final exam review
-Project due
FINAL EXAM
red, skinny, Parscore scantron
Tuesday, 12/15/15 - 1 – 3pm
**This is intended as a working schedule and may change throughout the semester.
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