1.2  Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research.

1.3  Differentiate between pure and applied research.

1.4  Specify the various functions of the research process.

1.5  Summarize the meaning of research ethics and examine the codes of ethics in criminal justice research.

1.6  Assess the nature and diversity of ethical dilemmas in criminological research.

1.7  Explore the meaning of statistics and the basic ideas behind any statistical study.

Read Ch 1 of Statistical Reasoning for Everyday Life.

Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

Read the following items, available at http://ecampus.phoenix.edu:

·         Learning Team Handbook

·         Guide to Charter

·         Learning Team Charter

·         Learning Team Evaluation

Explore the learning tools in MyStatsLab®, including the following:

·         Help Me Solve This

·         View an Example

·         Textbook, Video

Complete the Week One Orientation in MyStatsLab® to familiarize yourself with the tool for future assignments.

Complete the Chapter 1 Practice Quiz in MyStatsLab® found on the student website.

Complete similar exercises for any content from the Week One activities you do not understand.

Submit the Learning Team Charter.

Research Process and Terminology Paper

Prepare a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper in which you describe the research process.

Include the following:

·         Include new terminology learned from the reading.

·         How will this new terminology and knowledge apply to a career in criminal justice?

·         How can not knowing the proper terminology affect you as you conduct criminal justice research?

·         How will knowing these terms be an asset to you when evaluating and analyzing research studies or data?

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

2.1  Differentiate between types and functions of research designs.

2.2  Explore internal and external variable-related validity factors.

2.3  Describe the various classical experimental research designs.

2.4  Identify the major types of unobtrusive methods.

2.5  Distinguish between probability and nonprobability sampling plans.

2.6  Examine the features, functions, construction, and administration of questionnaires, and their strengths and weaknesses.

2.7  Assess features and functions of observation and its strengths and weaknesses as a data-gathering tool.

Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

Obtain facilitator approval for the proposed topic.

Gathering Research Data Paper

Develop a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper addressing what you have learned about criteria for criminal justice research, specifically with regards to what research method is appropriate in your proposal.

Address the following questions:

·         What is the goal or purpose behind your proposed research?

·         What type of interview structure would you use? Why?

·         What would be some questions you would ask? Why?

·         What are some distinct advantages of a qualitative data-gathering strategy, such as participant observation, over more quantitative approaches?

·         When conducting survey research, how important is informed consent and confidentiality?

Include at least two references.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

3.1  Explore different statistical measurement types and levels.

3.2  Compute the mean, median, and mode of statistical data.

3.3  Identify the properties of the normal distribution.

3.4  Examine the role of probability in statistics and statistical significance.

3.5  Describe the fundamentals of hypothesis testing.

Read Ch 2, 4–6, & 9 of Statistical Reasoning for Everyday Life.

Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

MyStatsLab® Quiz, Chapter 2

Complete the Week Three Quiz: Chapter 2.

MyStatsLab® Quiz, Chapter 4

Complete the Week Three Quiz: Chapter 4.

Research Proposal, Part I

Review the assignment details, located in University of Phoenix Material: Research Proposal, Part I. Additional instructions are listed in Week Five.

Submit Part I to your facilitator for review.

4.1  Describe the functions of data management.

4.2  Discuss graphic presentation and its value as a descriptive tool in criminological research.

4.3  Examine the determination and measurement of validity.

4.4  Define reliability and the different kinds of reliability checks.

4.5  Examine various scaling and index construction methods.

4.6  Classify common errors in presenting and interpreting research findings.

Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings

Submit to the instructor the answer to the following question in 300  – 700 words:

·         What is your hypothesis?

·         Describe why you feel this is a needed study and how you think the results will be utilized.

5.1  Discuss the importance of project replication.

5.2  Identify how findings will be utilized.

5.3  Defend major research issues and how they affect the conduct and quality of research.

5.4  Extrapolate on issues surrounding the collection, analysis, and utilization of research.

5.5  Describe how to write a research report.

5.6  Examine proposal writing and various funding criteria.

Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

Research Article Analysis

Note. Non-peer-reviewed newspaper articles or articles from popular magazines, such as Time or Newsweek, are not acceptable. For assistance on determining what constitutes a professional peer-reviewed resource, contact your facilitator.

Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word paper in which you address the following:

·         Identify the purpose of the research study, problem, and questions.

·         Describe the design of the study.

·         Identify an operational definition used by the researchers.

·         Provide one example of inductive logic and one example of deductive logic presented in the results.

·         Identify whether the research study is a quantitative or qualitative design. Explain your answer.

·         Identify the methodology, population, sampling methods, and return rate, if applicable.

·         What were the findings of the study?

·         Describe the author’s conclusions and recommendations.

·         In your opinion, could the study have been done differently or improved? Detail your response.

Research Proposal Part II, and Presentation

Write a 1,750- to 2,850-word research paper and prepare an accompanying presentation that meets the following requirements:

·         Incorporate feedback and suggestions from Part I.

·         Describe your team’s hypotheses, research design, and methodology.

·         Identify the types of data chosen for collection and how the data would be used in the study to confirm or negate the hypothesis.

·         Outline the procedures to be used to collect the chosen data.

·         Describe the proposed analysis process of the results from the proposed research.

·         Discuss the possible significance of the proposed research results.

·         Provide a timeline for the proposed research.

·         Outline a budget and identify resources to cover the cost of the proposed research.

·         Complete a commentary reflecting on the project’s reliability, and ways in which the research project might be improved upon if replicated.

Prepare a 12- to 15-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation with speaker notes, reflecting both parts of the proposal. All components listed above must be included.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.