Assignemnt: Research Essay
Length: 2000 words
The research essay is the major piece of work for the semester and marks the student's debut as a junior criminologist. Each student will select one particular type of criminal offence (e.g. assault, car theft, financial fraud) and choose whichever criminology theory studied in the semester that can best explain it. The research essay requires students to conduct research about the chosen theory and offence using different academic sources, and analyse this research to explain the causes of crime.
What to do:
1) Pick a single offence type that you are interested in researching in depth (e.g. murder, car theft, fraud, etc.)
2) Conduct research about your offence type, specifically looking at ideas/theories concerning why the crime occurs (causation) with regard to a particular criminology theory that we have covered during the semester (e.g. strain theory, biological determinism).
3) Select the theory that you think best explains why/how this offence occurs.
4) In your essay, you are required to explain the links between your chosen offence and the crime causation theory that you have selected. Outline the reasons why you think that this is the best explanatory model.
5) To strengthen your analysis, compare the best theory you have chosen with two other theories and discuss why it is the superior approach in explaining your offence. For example, you may decide that strain theory is a better explanatory model in accounting for car theft than labelling theory. Outline the reasons that you think this - do not simply tell the reader which is better - you must explain whyas well.
6) In your conclusion, suggest one potential policy response that may help reduce/address the crime that you have researched. This suggestion should be broadly consistent with your theoretical analysis. For example, if you have chosen serial murder and explained it with reference to biological determinism, you may suggest compulsory psychological screening for young offenders convicted of a violent offence.
Things to keep in mind:
• Take the time to plan properly.A 2000 word essay is a substantial piece of writing but, once you break it up into components pieces, it is less space than you might think. Paragraphs should generally be around 150 words, meaning that 13-14 paragraphs will likely make up the whole essay.
• Back up your claims with research. This means not only making a claim and but also supporting that claim with evidence (i.e. references to scholarly sources). Good essays are well supported by research. Aim to include 2-3 references in each paragraph in the body of your essay.
• Start writing early. A 2000 word essay takes time to put together and you may find that your approach changes as you conduct your research.
• Use appropriate sources, particularly peer-reviewed articles and books. You may use other sources to provide supporting information (e.g. the ABS or BOCSAR sites for crime statistics). Include at least 8 references in your research essay. This is a minimum requirement - higher grades will likely have more than this.
• Do not use non-scholarly sources, e.g. random websites, Wikipedia, etc. Also remember that this is a research essay - we want to see how well you can find your own information. This means we want to see referencing beyond the resources that we have given to you (i.e. your course textbook and required readings).
• Reference properly. The required referencing style is SAGE Harvard, the same as for your annotated bibliography. Check out the link below if you are unsure how to reference properly. Remember that material that is not referenced properly may breach your responsibilities regarding academic honesty. Check out the link below for more advice, and discuss any problems with your tutor. The library also runs courses on referencing if you would like more detailed advice.
• Discuss your essay plan and any potential problematic issues with your tutor. They can provide you with specific advice about your chosen topic and theory, and advise you on the best approaches to take.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.