Criminology and Criminal Justice discussion

Criminology and Criminal Justice discussion

Select one of the following topics that interest you, and write a research paper two- to three-pages in length (excluding the title page, bibliography, and appendices). Please submit a comprehensive outline for professor approval prior to initiating writing (e-mail your outline directly to your professor).

1. Explore the concept of criminology and criminal justice as sciences. Discuss some developments that support the claim to scientific status, the role of theory in criminology and criminal justice research, and why a shortage of new theory has existed since the 1960's.

2. Research in criminal justice and criminology faces many ethical hazards. The regulation of ethically acceptable research may take one of three forms. Discuss these forms, and include your opinion as to which of these is most effective. What is the researcher's role, and what constitutes appropriate conduct? What are some elements of a code of ethics for criminology and criminal justice research? You may also wish to discuss and provide examples of researcher misconduct, why it occurs, and how it can be prevented.

3. Discuss data gathering in criminal justice research. Describe the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) and its major components. What are the major components of the crime index and the calculation of crime rate? What have been some major identified shortcomings of the UCR? Given these identified shortcomings, read and discuss how features of the redesigned UCR may eliminate some of these shortcomings. Discuss also the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). What are some principle NIBRS features as well as advantages over the traditional UCR?

4. Select a topic of choice related to criminal justice research. Please submit a comprehensive outline to your professor for approval prior to initiating writing.