A Thesis Resource Guide for Criminology and Criminal Justice,9780132368957

A Thesis Resource Guide for Criminology and Criminal Justice

by ;
Edition: 1st
ISBN13: 9780132368957
ISBN10: 0132368951
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2019-09-11
Publisher(s): Pearson
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Summary

This handbook is a comprehensive guide to developing and writing graduate level research. It takes the reader on a step-by-step journey through the entire thesis process from initial ideas to a completed product or even a published article. Examples from actual student theses provide concrete illustrations of each step and function as a starting point for oners"s own project. Tips for organizing tasks and completing them on time help orient readers to the research process and give them confidence to achieve their own research goals.Unique step-by-step guide for successfully completing the thesis projectfrom development through defense. Examples from theses done by students provide concrete illustrations and a starting point for ideas and discussion. Broad range of quantitative and qualitative thesis methodologiesgives readers an overview of the basic tools of the research process. Tips for organizing tasksand completing the project on time.Those looking for assistance with writing a thesis.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION/PREFACE xi
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiii
SECTION ONE PREPARING FOR THE THESIS 1
1 WHY DO A THESIS?
3
The Thesis Process
3
The Social Aspects of a Thesis
6
Constructing a Time Line
6
Taking the First Step
9
Choosing a Topic
10
Neutral Perspective
11
Just the Right Size
11
The Right Methodology
12
A Good Fit for the Committee Members
12
The Study Needs to Be Done
13
Putting Together a Committee
13
Types and Functions of Committee Members
14
Best Case Scenario
15
Purchase Supplies in Advance
15
Using a Style Guide
16
Confronting the Demons of Self-Paced Writing
18
Exercises for Goal-Oriented Writing
18
Feedback and Edits
19
2 GETTING STARTED
20
Types of Theses
20
Legal Thesis
20
Theoretical Thesis
22
Program Evaluation Thesis
23
Policy Analysis
25
Historical
26
Content Analysis
27
Cost-Benefit Analysis
28
General Methodological Types
29
Case Study
30
Survey Research
31
Scales and Assessment Instruments
33
Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Design
34
Summary
36
References
36
3 DEVELOPMENT OF THE RESEARCH QUESTION
37
Forming a Question
37
Locating and Assembling Information
39
Secondary Data
40
Locating Good Data
44
References
51
4 THE INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD AND THE HUMAN SUBJECTS REVIEW COMMITTEE
52
The Nature of the IRB
52
No Human Subjects
53
Human Subjects
53
Full Review
54
IRB Exempt Categories
54
Submitting a Proposal for Full Review
58
Informed Consent
58
Additional Application Materials
61
Theses Resulting from Ongoing Departmental Research
64
Summary
65
References
65
5 SUGGESTIONS FOR CITING AND WRITING
66
Academic Writing and the First Person
66
Avoid Plagiarism
67
Avoid the Overuse of Quotes
67
Vary Phrasing and Avoid Repetition
70
Avoid Unnecessary Verbiage
71
Write Clearly
72
Use Original Sources
73
Ensure Your Sources Are Reliable
74
Final Proofreading
74
References
75
SECTION TWO THE PROSPECTUS OR PROPOSAL 77
6 INTRODUCTION AND PROBLEM STATEMENT
79
Historical Background and Current Issues
80
Historical Background
80
Current Issues
80
Facts and Figures versus Case Examples
81
Facts and Figures
81
Case Examples
81
Constructing an Outline for Your Introduction
82
The Purpose of the Study Is
84
Limitations
84
Transitioning from the First Chapter
85
Summary
88
References
89
7 LITERATURE REVIEW
90
The Purpose of a Literature Review
90
Organizing the Literature Review
91
Generalized Findings versus Specific Results
95
Generalized Findings
95
Specific Results
96
Summarizing the Results and Checking Citations
100
Concluding Your Literature Review
102
The Contents of a Conclusion
102
How Do You Conclude?
103
Summary
103
References
103
8 METHODOLOGY
105
Explaining Your Methodology
105
The Advantage of Explaining Your Methodology in the Prospectus
106
The Essential Contents of a Methodology Chapter
106
The Two Major Methodological Types
107
Quantitative Methodologies
107
Qualitative Methodologies
108
Writing Up the Essential Elements
108
Overview of the General Research Design
108
The Research Setting and Population from Which the Sample Is Drawn
109
Source (or Sources) of the Data and Sampling Procedures
110
Suggestions for Coding
111
Statement of Hypotheses or Research Questions
114
Methodology for Collecting Data
116
Variables Used in the Analysis and Their Description
121
General Statistical Models to Be Applied
123
Methodological Limitations
125
Acknowledging Your General Limitations
126
Specific Limitations in Your Data
128
Defending Your Methodology
129
Summary
130
References
130
9 THE PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS DEFENSE
131
Setting a Date
132
The Prospectus Document
133
Content of a Thesislike Approach
135
The Content of an Independent Document Prospectus
136
General Elements Found in All Prospectus Formats
136
The Presentation
137
Considerations in Preparation for the Prospectus Defense
139
What to Do and What Not to Do
140
Summary: The Prospectus Milestone
142
SECTION THREE ANALYZING INFORMATION AND DRAWING CONCLUSIONS 143
10 ANALYZING AND PRESENTING YOUR DATA AND FINDINGS
145
Bivariate Statistical Analysis
146
Less Complex
147
More Complex
148
Multivariate Analyses
149
Controlling for Variables in Tables
149
Controlling Variables Statistically
151
Regression
152
Partial Regression
152
Multiple Regression
154
Logistic Regression
155
Hints for Special Parts of the Analysis Chapter
157
Creating Tables and Figures
157
Using Variable Names in Text or Tables
158
Writing Up Your Findings
158
Using Quotes from Interviews
159
Summary
160
References
161
11 CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS, AND LIMITATIONS
162
The End versus the Beginning
162
The Summary Section
163
The Discussion Section
165
The Conclusions Section
165
Implications for Policy
166
Implications for Research
168
Limitations of the Interpretations and Implications
169
The Big "So What?"
170
References
170
SECTION FOUR THE FINAL DEFENSE AND BEYOND 173
12 THE FINAL DOCUMENT AND THESIS DEFENSE
175
The Document
175
Proofreading Checklist
175
The Abstract
177
Table of Contents
177
Front Material
177
The Presentation
181
Choosing a Presentation Style and Format
183
The Results of the Defense
184
References
185
13 REVISING YOUR THESIS INTO ARTICLES AND PRESENTATIONS
186
Paper Presentation
186
Possible Scholarly Venues
187
Paper Competitions and Awards
188
Organizations Typically Sponsoring Student Paper Competitions
188
Publications
189
Publishing a Journal Article: What to Expect
190
Outlets and Time Frames
191
Preparing a Manuscript for Submission
192
Reducing the Size of the Thesis
192
Revising Thesis Terminology
193
Cover Letter
193
Determining a Suitable Journal Outlet
193
Some Journal Suggestions
194
A Few Last Rules
195
Examples of Student Publications from Thesis
196
Final Remarks
197
References
197
LITERATURE REFERENCES AND RESOURCES 198

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