· Introduction to research methodologies used most often in the study of crime and criminal behavior, police/court systems, and correctional institutions, policies and programs. Students will acquire the knowledge to conceptualize a research problem and develop a number of complementary design, measurement, and data collection approaches to bring evidence to bear on a criminal justice policy issue.
After taking this course this course, Students will be able to; · Identify, define and discuss basic social science research terms and their application to criminal justice research.
· Identify, ten websites containing valuable criminal justice research data and discuss how the information is applicable to preparing a research paper.
· Discuss how criminal justice research is used to improve programs designed to reduce victimization and the cost of crime.
TEXTBOOK INFORMATION:
This text can be purchased in the LAHC Bookstore.
Basics of Research Methods 3rd edition, Michael G. Maxfield- Earl R. Babbie ISBN- 13-978-0-8400-2869-3
(A copy of this text is in Baxter's Library)
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Regular attendance and classroom participation are essential for a passing grade in this course. · Students who have pre-registered for this class and who fail to attend the first two scheduled classes or contact the instructor during the first week of the semester forfeit their right to a place in the class. The student is expected to attend every meeting of all classes for which he or she is registered. A student absent from classes for emergency reasons must inform me of the reason for the absence. I understand that mitigating circumstances do arise and may be considered. Whenever absences “in hours” exceed the number of hours the class meets per week, the student may be excluded from class. It is the student’s responsibility to drop from class.
HOMEWORK
· Approximately 3-4 hours of homework, weekly. Homework may include but not limited to; reading of Handouts, Internet Computer searches, attending a City, County or Law Library.
EXAMINATIONS:
Unless otherwise noted, the final (exam #3) will be given according to the “Schedule of “Final Examinations” found on the last page of the “Schedule of Classes”.
· Three major exams will be given during the semester. One of the three exams will be part of the student learning assessments.
· The exams are cumulative in nature and will cover classroom lecture, handout materials, textbook readings, break out group material and videos.
· No student will be excused from completing a final examination.
RESEARCH PROJECT - PAPER 10-18 pages or more
· A term paper is required for his course. Further details of the nature and scope of the paper will be provided in the first 3 week of the course.
TEACHING METHODS
· The course text will be augment with:
· Chapter handouts that follow most of the instructor’s power point presentations.
· Videos
· Online course work dealing with the course topic
· Classroom break out group materials
· Class presentations
GRADING SCALE:
90% - 100% ………. A: Excellent
80% - 89% ……….... B: Good
70% - 79% ………... C: Fair
60% - 69% ……….... D: Poor
0% - 59% …….……..F: Fail
· Grading is based upon
· Attendance,
· Class participation,
· Break out group leadership and interaction,
· Writing assignments and testing.
· Extra credit is NOT available to students.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT: Please treat your fellow students with the same respect you wish to be shown. · As approved by the Associated Student Organization and by the Academic Senate, all cell phones and electronic sound-emitting devices shall be turned off at all times during classes. Cell phones and pagers put on vibrate are acceptable, headsets and Recording devises are not permitted. State law in California prohibits the use of any electronic listening or recording device in the classroom without prior consent of the teacher and college administration. · Any student who needs to use electronic aids must secure the consent from me. If I decide and agree to your request, a notice of consent must be forwarded to the Dean of Academic Affairs for approval (To make it clear, I will not agree to any such request under any circumstances).
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
· It is the policy of the Los Angeles Community College District to provide an educational, employment and business environment free of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or communications constituting sexual harassment, as defined and otherwise prohibited by state and federal statutes.
DISTRICT ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY
PLAGIARISM
· Definition: Plagiarism is a student's failure to distinguish his or her own words and ideas from those of a source the student has consulted. Ideas derived from another, whether presented as exact words, a paraphrase, a summary or quoted phrase, must always be appropriately referenced to the source, whether the source is printed, electronic, or spoken. Whenever exact words are used, quotation marks or an indented block indicator of a quotation must be used, together with the proper citation in a style required by the professor.
· Usually, three or more words in a row copied from a source without a citation constitutes plagiarism. SMOKING: Classrooms are non-smoking areas. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY · 9803.28 Academic Dishonesty. Violations of Academic integrity include, but are not limited to the following actions: Cheating on an exam, plagiarism, working together on an assignment paper or project when the instructor has specifically stated students should not do so, submitting the same term paper to one or more than one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one’s identity for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade.
· Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Any student who uses the published or unpublished writing, ideas, and/or words of another person without crediting the author will receive a FAIL for the assignment. Further disciplinary actions may be taken. If a student copies from another student's paper, this is also plagiarism. In this case, both students will fail the assignment.
· Penalty: The penalty process is; your assignment is decided by the instructor and departmental policies with the following suggested progressive discipline guidelines: warning, rewrite assignment, zero points on assignment, or Administrative discipline.
· Appeals: Appeals should be directed to the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division Chair Brad Young, for further action as required by due process.
· Smoking is not permitted in any classroom or other enclosed facility which any student is required to occupy or which is customarily occupied by nonsmoking students.
DRUG-FREE CAMPUS:
Just say no and focus on your success.
· In accordance with Section 22 of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, Los Angeles Harbor College strives to maintain a drug and alcohol free campus for its students and employees.
STUDENTS WITH A VERIFIED DISABILITY: Students with a verified disability who may need a reasonable accommodation (s) for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the DSPS Office for Special services as soon as possible. All information will remain confidential.
· (for Harbor College only: Café 108, 310-233-4629)