1. Pick a Topic: Pick a criminal justice or crime-related topic that interests you and about which you feel somewhat informed. "Informed" means you feel somewhat familiar with research done on the topic, theory behind the topic, or policy decisions made in this area. If you do not feel informed about any topic related to criminal justice, or have difficulty choosing a topic, see your professor early on in the semester.

2. Develop a Research Question: State your research question in broad terms. For example, a research project that aims to learn the reasons that youth join gangs might ask the following research question:

Why do youth join street gangs? 

3. Develop an Hypothesis: Develop an hypothesis on the topic, a prediction that states how the independent variable(s) will affect the dependent variable. (Hint: This hypothesis should be a proposed answer to your research question stated above. For example:

4. Construct a Survey Instrument: In light of the relationship you predict, write a minimum of eight (10) survey items. You should have no more than two (2) open-ended items, though you may certainly draft all the items as close-ended. You may include extra items that cover demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and race/ethnic identity, but they will not count as part of your eight items unless they are part of your hypothesis. You must include at least two (2) measures each of your independent and dependent variables. 

5. Justify your Operational Definitions: Explain why you chose to operationally define your variables using the survey items that you developed. Be specific about what each item is intended to measure, i.e., what concept or variable are you trying to measure by using a particular question with a particular wording?

6. Pretest-Collect Data from Respondents: Using your new survey, collect data from 3 people. Note any problems with the survey instrument and possible ways of correcting those problems.

7. Collect your data: You must collect survey data from at least 20 different individuals, and your sample must be consistent with your research questions and hypothesis. For example, do not collect survey data only from adults if you are researching youth issues.

8. Submit Your Research Report: Prepare and submit a double-spaced, typed report titled, "CRJ 261 Research Project 1." It must have the following sections:

Topic

Research Question

Hypothesis

Survey Instrument With Item-By-Item Justification

Data Table (listing all responses; summarize responses if there are more than 30)

Data Analysis

Research Findings

Problems Encountered, Limitation of the Research

Recommendations (or better or different ways to study the problem)

This report is due on Tuesday, March 31.