Category: Criminal Justice

1. assembling (identifying and obtaining), (2) arranging (organizing and summarizing), and (3) assessing (evaluating and discovering research opportunities in) the existing knowledge about a topic.

Each paragraph of your literature review should bring together or synthesise two or more pieces of reading (these could be articles, book chapters, reports, videos, policy documents etc.)

Synthesis is the term we use in academic writing to describe the process of creating an opinion or argument based on a trend you find in the literature. If you are able to synthesis evidence, you are not only creating a robust argument (by avoiding relying too heavily on just one piece of writing) but you are also showing that you are a critical writer that can make conclusions based on a diverse range of evidence. Bingo!

As with other forms of academic writing, the paragraphs in your literature review should have four key sections:

• Topic sentence:
• The key theme or trend that you have identified in the literature.
• Introduce the evidence:
• Give more information on the specific way in which the studies in this paragraph link together. This provides extra context for the reader and allows you to give more descriptive informationif needed.
• Evidence:
• Show the evidence for the link or trend you are proposing. Think of this as creating a body of evidence at the centre of your paragraph, and link sources together using signposting words.
• Discussion:
• Your critical voice, offering one interpretation of the evidence. You could discuss the strengths or weaknesses of the studies, highlight their significance for your study, or think about a possible consequence of their agreement. Try to answer the question ‘so what?

Compare the following paragraphs against this four-part structure – which version is more critical?

Paragraph A:

Paragraph B:

Researchers have studied dog communication at length. Some studies have focused on rapid eye movement in dogs, where researchers conducted observations of different groups of dogs some with a single person present, others in groups or with children in the room. Basset Griffon (2018) found that dogs communicated more through blinks and winks when they were alone than when humans were present, and this has been explored in another study by Markiesje (2016). Other studies have looked at dogs who are related but there was no real difference between dogs from the same family and others with no connection (Sennenhunde, 2015; Sealeyham 2011). Overall, communication in pets is a wide research topic and the literature is very diverse.

There is a developing body of evidence to suggest that dogs may be capable of advanced communication when their owners are not present. A recent study of rapid eye movement in unsupervised dogs (Basset Griffon, 2018) identified at least six repeated patterns of blinks and winks in 82% of the observed canine-to-canine interactions. Similarly, in a longitudinal study conducted in a rescue centre in the Netherlands (Markiesje, 2016), researchers indicated that the number of non-verbal communication cues between kennel mates increased in direct proportion to the amount of time they spent together. Studies into interactions between dog siblings have confirmed this correlation, although there was no significant difference between direct siblings and those dogs adopted into the same family, suggesting that an aptitude for communication may not be inherited (Sennenhunde, 2015; Sealeyham 2011). Future research might therefore develop this line of enquiry, and consider whether humans might mimic these same non-verbal cues to conduct rudimentary conversations with their pets.

Although both paragraphs use the TIED structure, we can see that the discussion in paragraph B is much more developed, and gives a specific suggestion about how future research could be conducted. We can also see that the evidence in paragraph B is clearly linked together, and that the conclusions or critical features of the papers are explained to the reader. Although drawing on the same evidence, paragraph A summarises and describes the research papers, rather than giving an evaluation or clear comparison of the different sources.

Focusing on the discussion sections (in bold), we can see that paragraph B is more critical, as it answers a key questions to keep in mind when writing critically: ‘so what?’ What conclusion or take home message do you want the reader to get from the evidence you have presented? Therefore, Consequently and As a result are all good terms to use here, as they prompt you to be clear and explicitly explain on interpretation of the source you have included

Souces: Havard referencing. Academic journals and books.

Academic research/studies. Important see attached file on what the lecturer is looking for while taking in the above.

**You must have extensive experience writing liteature reviews- this is not an essay **

At minimum, your writing should include a discussion of three (3) concepts you found interesting, two (2) concepts that left you with questions, and one (1) original contribution from your own thoughts

3 concepts you found interesting

1. Research Local Crime Statistics:

• Visit the website for your local police department, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system, or any reliable crime data source (e.g., Lexis-Nexis CommunityCrimeMap.com, CrimeMapping.com or ).
• Locate crime statistics for your city or neighborhood for the past year. Focus on at least three types of crimes (e.g., property crime, violent crime, drug-related crime).
• Document the crime rates for these offenses and identify any trends (e.g., an increase or decrease in specific crimes).

1. Criminal Law Connection:

• Identify one relevant law for each of the three types of crime you selected.
• Explain how these laws define the criminal behavior, including elements of the offense (i.e., actus reus, mens rea).
• Discuss the potential penalties for committing these crimes under local, state, or federal law.

1. Application of Criminological Theory:

• Select two criminological theories from the course material (e.g., Strain Theory, Social Learning Theory, Routine Activities Theory).
• Analyze how each theory could explain the occurrence or prevalence of one of the crimes you researched in your area.
• Provide a detailed discussion of how social, economic, or environmental factors in your community could influence criminal behavior based on the chosen theory.

Format Instructions

• Your paper must be double spaced, in 12-pt font, and with 1 margins all around.
• All APA 7th edition format requirements must be followed (cover page, in text citations, references page). Refer to the APA information found in Content -> Course Overview -> Course Resources.
• You must have resources to support your thoughts/opinions/information. These must be cited both in the text as well as at the end of the document. Your paper should not contain direct quotes, all source material must be summarized or paraphrased.
• Your paper must be attached as a Word document. You have access to Office365 via your UMGC student account, at . Papers or information typed into the Comments box will not be accepted or graded.
• Any papers needing to be resubmitted due to not following these instructions will be subject to the late penalty.
• Your professor may, at their discretion, consider the submission date as the date the assignment is submitted in the proper format. To avoid a late penalty being applied, you should be sure to submit your assignment in the proper format.
• This should NOT be in flowing proseyou should answer in 1, 2, 3 format.

Hello!!!

Below are a number of resources to learn about the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803). Even though this case was hundreds of years ago, this case has an impact today. I thought this was a great case to start our journey with given the impact it had.

Below, I have provided three CHOICES to write about this week. I have included the objective for each along with the assignment details. Please select ONE of the options to fulfill the requirements for this week’s assignment. APA format required regardless of choice.

Here are a couple fun video explaining the case:

For those of you that would like to read the facts of the case:

1. Objective: To understand how Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review and its implications for the balance of power among the branches of government.

Assignment: Write a two-page paper analyzing the significance of Marbury v. Madison. Discuss the background of the case, the key legal arguments, and the decision’s impact on the U.S. judicial system.

Module 3 explores the concept of vulnerable populations and the various factors that increase the risk of human trafficking. Understanding what constitutes a vulnerable population in the context of human trafficking is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies, offering appropriate support services, and crafting effective policies to protect those most at risk. Recognizing these vulnerabilities helps in identifying potential victims and intervening before exploitation occurs.

DISCUSSION:

1. Which population do you think is most at risk of human trafficking in your own community, and why?
2. How do intersecting factors such as poverty, gender, and immigration status amplify the vulnerability of these populations?
3. What strategies do you think could be implemented to reduce the risk of trafficking for these vulnerable groups?

• Research the death penalty laws in California and discuss what you found.
• How do your findings compare to other states?
• McArdle writes about the “unintended consequences” of the death penalty in her recent Harvard Law Bulletin article.
• Discuss her position.
• Do you agree with her? Why or why not?

In your responses, discuss the differences in death penalty laws in different states and how those laws affect crime statistics. Also engage in a debate on whether death penalty laws need to be changed.