Discussion:
RESEARCH METHODS:
1. Choose a topic in your area of expertise (police or policing) that reflects an uncertainty, and where there is a reasonable expectation of clarification by means of scientific design.
2. Complete an Internet search (includes peer reviewed, journal articles, book chapters, reports, etc.) to allow a brief formulation of the state of knowledge.
3. Choose an appropriate research design to provide clarification.
4. Prepare a 6-page description (double-spaced) of your work. Include a statement of the problem and why it is important in your area of expertise, a summary of the websites used in the literature review, and the resulting knowledge achieved (necessarily in brief form), your choice of research design and a listing of the types of alternative plausible explanation controlled by that design. Add comments, as necessary, on the units of analysis, the bases of your constructs, and the possible limitations on the reliability and validity of your results.
5.Discuss relevant ethical issues in the choice of approaches.
Remember, the bulk of your paper should be spent on the methods of your proposed project, so the first two items should be covered in a couple pages, maximum.
1) Statement of the problem (include research question) and why it is important in your area of expertise
2) Literature review - summary of websites used and brief description of the findings
3) Your choice of research design and types of alternative plausible explanation controlled by this design
4) Comments as necessary/applicable on:
Dependent variable measure(s)
Independent variable measure(s)
Participants and research site
Procedures (sample, treatment and control groups)
Possible limitations to reliability and validity of your results
5) Relevant ethical issues in the choice of approaches
6) Remember to use APA format for your document and references page, 12-point Times New Roman Font, and 1-inch margins