This course requires students to complete a thesis project which adheres to the guidelines presented herein. Students will develop a hypothesis (or utilize the hypothesis developed in CJS 487), review the existing literature pertaining to this hypothesis/research question, design a research study capable of examining this topic or question, collect data via library documents, criminal justice agency records, interviews, or other sources, analyze the information or data, and report the results in a formal written thesis which will be submitted to the professor and orally defended via a presentation to the class.
APENDIX A. OVERVIEW OF REQUIRED SECTIONS
Adapted from Bachman & Shutt, “The Practice of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice,” 4th Edition; 2011; 431-432; and Dr. Mario Hesse.
A. Formatting: APA Style: 12 Point Times New Roman Font; 1 inch margins all around- Also see layout requirements in Appendix B.
B. Required Sections: You MUST include subsections labeled with each of the following subheadings–
a. Abstract: 100 word summary of your paper; includes a brief overview of your research question/hypothesis, sample, method, and findings.
b. Introduction: Summary of problem/issue. Should incorporate answers to several important questions—What is the purpose of my study? How does my hypothesis/research questions relate to the problem/purpose? What are the guiding theoretical foundations/justifications for your research? “A good introduction….gives the reader a sense of what was done and why” (431).
c. Literature Review: Discuss 6-8 studies which have examined the topic for which you are researching. Be sure that each study relates to your research question/hypothesis. “This section should demonstrate the logical continuity between previous research and the research at hand. At the end of this section, you are ready to conceptually define your variables and formally state your hypotheses” (Bachman and Shutt, 2011).
d. Method: “Discuss how the study was conducted. Should include subsections that describe the sample, the independent and dependent variables, and the analytical or statistical procedure you will use to analyze the data” (Bachman and Shutt, 2011).
e. Results: What did you find? Include findings from statistical analyses and relevant charts/graphs to summarize your findings.
f. Discussion: “Take the opportunity to evaluate and interpret your results, particularly with respect to your original hypotheses and previous research. Here, you are free to examine and interpret your results as well as draw inferences from them. In general, this section should answer the following questions: What have I contributed to the literature here? How has my study helped resolve the original problem? What conclusions and theoretical implications can I draw from my study? What are the limitations of my study? What are the implications for future research?” (Bachman and Schutt, 2011).
g. References: APA Style list of all references included. Must include 6-8 Scholarly Journal Articles– 2007 to current
h. Appendices: As needed- Survey instrument, additional materials
THE FOLLOWING PAGES DETAIL THE REQUIRED LAYOUT OF YOUR SENIOR THESIS. SUBHEADINGS ARE REQUIRED.
APPENDIX B. REQUIRED THESIS LAYOUT
SENIOR THESIS TITLE
by
YOUR NAME HERE
A Senior Thesis Submitted in partial fulfillment of the
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice
St. Cloud State University
Date
SENIOR THESIS TITLE
This senior thesis is approved as a creditable and independent investigation by a candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree and is acceptable for meeting the senior thesis requirements for this degree. Acceptance of this senior thesis does not imply that conclusions reached by the candidate are necessarily the conclusions of the major department.
______________________________________________
Senior Thesis Adviser Date
Abstract
Title
Author
Date
Table of Contents
Title……………………………………………………………………………(Roman Numeral)
Abstract………………………………………………………………………..(Roman Numeral)
Chapter 1………………………………………………………………………………(No page #)
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………(Page #2)
Problem Statement……………………………………………………………….(Page __)
Research Propositions/Objectives……………………………………………………
Study Importance……………………………………………………
Summary……………………………………………………………………
Chapter 2
Literature Review
Introduction
Review of Literature
Research Question/Hypothesis
Summary
Chapter 3
Methodology
Identification of Variables
Operationalization of Variables
Research Design
Data Collection Procedures
Description of Data
Chapter 4
Data Analysis and Findings
Chapter 5
Discussion
Contribution to the Literature
Conclusions
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
***Note: All chapters start on a new page
(Required Subheadings)
Problem Statement—Summary of the Problem/Issue
Research Propositions/Objectives—What is the purpose of your study? What is your reason(s) for carrying out this research?
Research Question(s): Formally state your research question(s)/hypothesis/es.
Study Importance—Why is this study important to the field of criminal justice? What are the potential policy implications associated with your proposed research?
Summary
Chapter 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
***Note: All chapters start on a new page
Review of Literature: 6-8 studies which have empirically examined topics which relate to your topic. See “Literature Review” handout posted on D2L.
Research Question(s): Formally state your research question(s)/hypothesis/es. Should strongly relate to the literature reviewed, above.
Summary
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY
***Note: All chapters start on a new page
Statement of Hypothesis/Research Question(s)
Identification of Variables
Independent and Dependent Variables (if applicable)
Operationalization of Variables
Specify how you will “define” your variables
Research Design
Sample
Data Source
Surveys
Field Research/Observations
Experimental Research Design
Life histories/case studies
Content Analysis
Secondary data analysis
http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook/
http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/NACJD/gis/resources.jsp
http://www.bjs.gov/
https://www.ncjrs.gov/
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr
Data Collection Procedures
Description of Data– Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data
Institutional Review Board If you plan to interview or survey participants, you must submit your proposal http://www.stcloudstate.edu/irb/
CHAPTER 4
RESULTS
***Note: All chapters start on a new page
Data Analysis
What type of data analysis was employed and why?
Findings
What did you Find?
Do your findings support your research question/hypothesis, and the literature reviewed?
**Include relevant charts/graphs to summarize your findings in a reader friendly manner.
CHAPTER 5
DISCUSSION
***Note: All chapters start on a new page
Contribution to the Literature
How does your study contribute to the existing literature on this topic?
Conclusions
What conclusions can be drawn from your study? Interpret results and draw inferences—
What do your results “mean” as you apply them to answer your research question?
What is the value of your findings for the criminal justice system? (or specific area for which your study examined)
What are the implications for future research (what should future researchers interested in this topic further examine/consider?)