Overview
You will take part in several data analysis assignments in which you will develop a report using tables and figures from the IBM SPSS® output file of your results. Using the resources and readings provided, you will interpret these results and test the hypotheses and writeup these interpretations.
INSTRUCTIONS
• Copy and paste all tables and figures into a Word document and format the results in the
current APA edition.
• Interpret your results.
• Final report should be formatted using APA style, and in a Word document.
• 4-5 double-spaced pages of content in length (not counting the statistic page, title page or
references).
Complete the Additional Exercises on page 250. In addition, conduct a short literature review
relevant to the assignment (3 articles). You should find your own peer reviewed articles.
INSTRUCTIONS
As doctoral students, your assignments are expected to follow the principles of high-quality
scientific standards and promote knowledge and understanding in the field of criminal justice.
You should apply a rigorous and critical assessment of a body of theory and empirical research, articulating what is known about the phenomenon and ways to advance research about the topic under review. Research syntheses should identify significant variables, a systematic and reproducible search strategy, and a clear framework for studies included in the larger analysis.
Manuscripts may be written in first person (“I”).
All manuscripts should be clearly and concisely written, with technical material set off. Please do
not use jargon, slang, idioms, colloquialisms, or bureaucratese. Use acronyms sparingly and spell them out the first time you use them. Please do not construct acronyms from phrases you repeat frequently in the text.
Structure of Assignment Paper
1. Use the following structure for your research article: Introduction, Literature
Review/Theory, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Include a robust
discussion section distinct from your conclusion. 2. Give your article a Title that is both descriptive and inviting to prospective readers. Your
article title should appeal to both scholars and practitioners. Use a shortened version of
the main idea of your article in the title.
3. In the Lit Review/Theory, cite only literature and theory pertinent to the specific issue
and not those that are of only tangential or general significance. When summarizing
earlier works, avoid nonessential details; instead, emphasize pertinent findings, relevant
methodological issues, and major conclusions. Citation of relevant earlier literature is a
sign of scholarly responsibility and it is critical for the growth of a doctoral student in
criminal justice.
4. Methods: The Methods section “describes in detail how the study was conducted,
including conceptual and operational definitions of the variables used in the study.
Different types of studies will rely on different methodologies; however, a complete
description of the methods used enables the reader to evaluate the appropriateness of your
methods and the reliability and the validity of your results” (APA Style Guide 6th ed., p.
29-32). Include a description of your sample size and procedure, participants, how data
collected, and research design.
5. Results include data analysis used, results of the analysis including tables and figures.
6. Discussion section includes interpretations from the analysis. How do your analyses
relate to the results found by scholars in your lit review/theory section. In this section,
evaluate and interpret their implications, especially with respect to your original
hypotheses.
7. Provide a distinct Conclusion that tells readers what you found, why it is important, and
what difference it will make for research and practice. Ensure you separate your
discussion section from the conclusion of the article. Synthesize your article; do not
summarize it. Show readers how the pieces of your article fit together. Answer the
question “So what?” Why is your article significant, and how is it relevant?
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
