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Master of Criminal Justice
Research Methods Comprehensive Examination
Directions
As part of the requirements of the MCJ, you must pass comprehensive exams in each of three
general areas: Criminological Theory, Research Methods, and Criminal Justice Policy. This the
portion of the comprehensive exams in which you are being examined in Research Methods.
The comprehensive exam is graded as pass/fail. In order to pass, you must earn 70% or better on
one of the two questions below to pass this portion of the comprehensive exams. The graders are
trying to determine that you have mastered the field of Criminal Justice Research Methods based
on your response to one of the questions below. This means that in drafting your answer, you
will need to utilize knowledge obtained from your entire education.
Answer the question completely using relevant and scholarly literature citations to support your
points. We strongly recommend that you develop a preliminary outline using such citations to
support your points before answering a question. Due to the format of the exam, citations and a
reference list of graduate level sources are required. The answer should read as a complete paper
written at the level of a Master’s Degree graduate student. Errors in basic writing are
unacceptable and may contribute to failing the exam. You are strongly advised to proofread your
responses thoroughly before submitting your responses.
• Accessing the exam questions via Canvas will be considered taking the exam whether or
not a response is submitted. Regardless of when you access the exam, once the exam is
accessed you have until February 26, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. to turn in your responses.
Failure to turn in a response after accessing the exam will count as a failure on all
unanswered questions.
• You must use the templates for each question provided through Canvas; failure to
do so will result in automatic failure of the exam.
• There are two questions provided related to the tested topic; you are to answer one and
only one question. Should you answer both questions, the faculty graders will evaluate
only the first question submitted.
• Be sure to answer the question fully and submit the answer using the template
provided. Upload the answer to Canvas under the Comp Answer Submission
Folder.
• There is no page requirement for the exam, but if you are answering a question with less
than 8 – 10 pages, you probably have not fully addressed the question in sufficient detail.
• Answers will be uploaded through Turnitin.com so it is imperative that you NOT
recycle class work and that you use appropriate APA citations. You must have
appropriate in-text citations and references for each response. Plagiarism will
result in an automatic failing grade for the exam, and we will report plagiarism (and other
forms of academic dishonesty) to the University. Plagiarism includes copy and pasting
from any source, including your own past work.
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• Responses must conform to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association (7th ed.).
• Responses should be written in Times New Roman 12 pt. font and double-spaced.
• DO NOT put your name anywhere else in the document other than the title page. Your
name and Student ID will be removed from the document prior to the answers being
graded by the committee.
• All work must be completed individually. You should not discuss your answers with
anyone!
• If you have questions about the exam, please email Professor Petrowski at
petrowski@tarleton.edu.
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Research Methods Questions (pick one)
Methods Question 1:
You have been invited to apply for a grant by a federal agency to address the impact of the
formalization of a police policy on advanced technology use (e.g., UAV use, facial recognition,
license plate readers, public surveillance, artificial intelligence, etc.).
In your study design, you should clearly state:
a. An abbreviated literature review (include at least 7 sources).
b. A statement of purpose for the study.
c. The research hypothesis (or hypotheses).
d. Which components of the design are quantitative, and which are qualitative (If
applicable).
e. The dependent and independent variables and how they will be conceptualized and
operationalized.
f. The unit of analysis, and sampling method, (including who or what, when, where
and how).
g. For the quantitative component, describe the statistical technique(s) that you will
utilize in the analysis, and an explanation of why the technique(s) was/were chosen
and how the technique(s) is the most appropriate approach.
h. The strengths and weaknesses of the research design you have chosen: Discuss at
least three strengths and three weaknesses of the research design.
Methods Question 2:
With the increase in the number of states that have legalized marijuana for medical and
recreational purposes, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has released forthcoming funding
opportunities regarding the impact of legalizing marijuana on crime. You want to submit your
proposal to the NIJ and your proposal must include both quantitative and qualitative elements.
In your proposal, you should clearly state:
a. A statement of purpose for the study.
b. An abbreviated literature review (include at least 7 sources).
c. The research hypothesis (or hypotheses).
d. The unit of analysis, and sampling method.
e. The dependent and independent variables and how they will be conceptualized and
operationalized.
f. Which components of the design are quantitative and which are qualitative.
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g. Describe the statistical technique(s) that you will utilize in the analysis, and explain why
the technique(s) was/were chosen and how the technique(s) is the most appropriate
approach.
h. The strengths (two) and weaknesses (two) of the research design you have chosen.