Course Description

Fundamental principles of social science research and related research design. Structured to develop students' abilities to think clearly, critically, and logically about social science issues through the scientific evaluation of empirical issues and evidence.

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Athena Title

Research Methods Crim Justice

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Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in POLS 3700, SOCI 3700

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Non-Traditional Format

This version of the course will be taught as writing intensive, which means that the course will include substantial and ongoing writing assignments that a) relate clearly to course learning; b) teach the communication values of a discipline—for example, its practices of argument, evidence, credibility, and format; and c) prepare students for further writing in their academic work, in graduate school, and in professional life. The written assignments will result in a significant and diverse body of written work (the equivalent of 6000 words or 25 pages) and the instructor (and/or the teaching assistant assigned to the course) will be closely involved in student writing, providing opportunities for feedback and substantive revision.

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Prerequisite

POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S

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Semester Course Offered

Not offered on a regular basis.

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student learning Outcomes

• Students will be familiar with the basic methods used in empirical analyses of political and social phenomena related to the field of criminal justice.
• Students will be familiar with peer reviewed processes for scientific research and be able to identify credible data sources for inquiry.
• Students will have designed a research project to address an inquiry related to criminal justice.
• Students will have executed an original data analysis to test a hypothesis and include a write up of the results.
• Students will have a basic understanding of statistical software applications for the analysis of social scientific data.

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Topical Outline

• 1. Course introduction
• 2. Theory and criminal justice inquiry
• 3. Formulating hypotheses & general issues in research design
• 4. Ethical issues in criminal justice research
• 5. Evaluating causal relationships
• 6. Concepts, operationalization, and measurement
• 7. Sampling
• 8. Experimental & quasi-experimental designs
• 9. Survey research
• 10. Agency records & content analysis
• 11. Comparative method & secondary data
• 12. Data analysis & interpretation

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Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

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