Essay: Evaluate the role of criminology research in police investigations
Requirements:Â
Topic: Evaluate the role of criminology research in police investigations
Maximum word length: 1,500 words not including reference list or table of contents.
PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE TITLE OF THE ESSAY
To start you off on this topic you should look at the following 3 articles. You will need to undertake much more literature research but these articles are a very good starting place.
Herrenkohl, T. I., Jung, H. J., & Lee, J. O. (2017). Effects of child maltreatment, cumulative victimization experiences, and proximal life stress on adult crime and antisocial behavior. Summary Report for US Department of Justice.
Keatley, D. A., Golightly, H., Shephard, R., Yaksic, E., & Reid, S. (2018). Using behavior sequence analysis to map serial killers’ life histories. Journal of interpersonal violence, 0886260518759655.
Monahan, J. (1984). The prediction of violent behavior. American Journal of Psychiatry, 141(1), 10-15.
Using these articles and other research to justify your position, you will need to draw a conclusion about the topic.
My Expectations:
- You can choose any crime behaviour you like. Articles listed above are for example purposes. You can look at other areas covered in the course.
- I want to distinguish between your own opinion and your conclusion. You will be aware that we do not want your opinion about a topic. An opinion is your subjective belief about a topic. A conclusion is your position based a review and interpretation of academic literature. I am interested in your ability to read and synthesise academic literature and come to a conclusion based on an integration the relevant material.
- Structure your paper. Use informative headings and sub-headings to guide the reader through your paper. Create a table of contents from these headings and subheadings at the beginning of your paper. There is a function for this in WORD and if you are not familiar with it, now is the time to learn to use it. The table of contents does not comprise part of the word limit.
- In order to write this paper you will need to do research, i.e. find empirical and theoretical research from peer reviewed journals. Analyse this research and demonstrate how it is relevant to the topic.
- You are expected to use your critical and analytical skills in this essay. Avoid mere description or regurgitation. Both your observations and your use of other people’s writing should reflect this critical/analytical dimension. In sum, your intellectual input should be clearly discernible in the paper. Remember the 5 Cs: cite, compare, contrast, connect, critique (Seehttps://intranet.ecu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/20621/literature_review.pdf)
- You are not marked for your political or social views or opinions, but rather for your ability to present coherent, rational and logical arguments, properly supported by research.
- You are also assessed on your ability to express yourself clearly, logically and succinctly. Poor expression, grammar, punctuation and spelling will detract from your overall mark.
- Do not directly quote form sources. Instead, you must paraphrase: put the ideas expressed in the literature in your own words. You must provide a reference every time you paraphrase words, facts and ideas found in the literature. The in-text references (required by APA style) are included in the word limit. Include a reference list at the end of your assignment. The reference list should be a separate page at the end of the essay and is not included in the word limit. Use the APA referencing style – see http://libguides.murdoch.edu.au/APA for more information.
- Please note that your research effort, demonstrated by your engagement with the material you have found, analysed and implemented into your own writing (and properly referenced) will be the central pillar for the mark you will receive.
What we score:
78%
Our Writer’s CommentÂ
This assignment is designed to assess students’ understanding of business practices.
To secure an A+ grade, adhere to these guidelines and make sure your work aligns with the grading criteria:
1. Starting with the Structure
Having a clear structure is essential. Here’s how you can structure your essay:
- Introduction: Start by briefly introducing the topic of criminology research and its role in police investigations. Clearly state your objectives and outline how your essay will be structured.
- Body: This is where you’ll break down the different aspects of the role of criminology research.
- Criminology Research in Police Investigations: Define criminology research and discuss its relevance to policing. What are the different types of criminology research (e.g., predictive policing, behavioral analysis) that directly impact police work?
- Crime Behavior Focus: Here, you can focus on a specific type of crime behavior, as mentioned in the assignment. It could be serial crimes, violent behavior, or something else relevant to the course.
- Case Study Examples: Bring in real-life examples from research or police investigations where criminology research played a key role in solving cases or preventing crimes.
- Impact and Critique: Analyze the limitations of criminology research. For example, how reliable is behavioral analysis or prediction in reducing crime? Discuss potential challenges and critiques of relying heavily on academic research in police work.
- Conclusion: Draw a well-supported conclusion, tying your key points back to the overall role of criminology research in police investigations.
2. Focus on Critical Thinking (5 Cs)
The key here is to avoid simply summarizing the articles. Instead, focus on analyzing and engaging with the research.
- Cite: Use the sources provided and ensure you’re referencing additional peer-reviewed articles to build your argument.
- Compare: How do different criminology studies approach crime behaviors differently? Compare various methodologies or outcomes.
- Contrast: Look at opposing views. For example, while some research supports the use of behavioral analysis in policing, others might critique its ethical implications or effectiveness.
- Connect: Make connections between the research and real-world cases. For instance, how has behavioral criminology been applied in modern police investigations?
- Critique: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of criminology research. You could mention, for example, how research helps investigations but also has limitations when it comes to subjective biases or incomplete data.
3. Engage with the Core Research
Make sure to engage deeply with the key articles provided (Herrenkohl et al., Keatley et al., and Monahan), but go beyond them:
- Expand on the provided readings: For example, with Herrenkohl et al. (2017), focus on how child maltreatment studies inform police understanding of long-term criminal behavior, but also find additional studies that either support or refute these findings.
- Find recent literature: Since this is a criminology paper, you’ll want to incorporate studies published within the last 10 years, especially regarding advancements in predictive policing or crime behavior analysis.
4. Paraphrase, Don’t Quote
Since direct quotations are discouraged, practice effective paraphrasing:
- Summarize the main points of each article in your own words, but make sure you still provide proper in-text citations for every idea or fact that’s not your own.
- For example, instead of quoting Herrenkohl et al. on the effects of child maltreatment, paraphrase: “Studies by Herrenkohl and colleagues (2017) suggest that early victimization and stress factors significantly correlate with adult criminality, particularly in cases of cumulative trauma.”
5. Avoid Opinion, Focus on Conclusions
One of the key points in the assignment is distinguishing between opinion and conclusion. Be sure that your paper isn’t reflecting personal opinions. Instead:
- Base your conclusions on the research you’ve reviewed. For example, if you conclude that criminology research is essential for modern police work, explain how your conclusion is based on multiple studies and real-world applications.
6. Grammar, Expression, and Referencing
- Clarity and Expression: Aim for clear, formal academic language. Avoid overly complex sentences and jargon. Instead, focus on making sure your points are logically and clearly presented.
- APA Referencing: Double-check your in-text citations and reference list to make sure everything is in correct APA format. This includes paying attention to details like italics, capitalization, and correct use of DOI or URLs.
7. Critical Use of Literature
The majority of your grade will come from how well you engage with the literature, so:
- Make sure you’re referencing at least 8-10 relevant peer-reviewed articles.
- Synthesize your research. Don’t just mention studies in passing—compare and contrast different findings, and explain how they build toward your conclusion.
- Focus on both empirical and theoretical studies to demonstrate a broad understanding of how criminology research informs police investigations.
Final Tips:
- Case Studies: Incorporate case studies to show the practical application of criminology research in police investigations.
- Balance Description with Analysis: While you’ll need to describe key research findings, spend more time analyzing the why and how of those findings in the context of police work.
- Word Count: Stick to the word count of 1,500 ±10%, and make sure each section is contributing to your argument.
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