Competency In Conducting Original Criminal Justice And Criminology Research
Competency in conducting original Criminal Justice and Criminology research
Indicator
Successful Completion Of Original Research Study As Demonstrated By Defense Of Thesis With Average Rubric Score Of 80 Or Above
Successful completion of original research study as demonstrated by defense of Thesis using recently revised faculty-developed rubric with a score of 80 or above.
Criterion
Student Success In CRIJ 6398 And CRIJ 6399
Students will demonstrate their ability to engage in an original research study within the field criminal justice or criminology during the completion of CRIJ 6398 and CRIJ 6399. The culmination of each course in the sequence will be a public defense of the student’s work. First, the research proposal will be defended proximal to the conclusion of CRIJ 6398; then, the results of the final research project will be defended at the conclusion of CRIJ 6399. At minimum, a thesis will include a literature review of relevant empirical literature, well defined and defensible methodology, original statistical analysis appropriate to the methodology described, and the contextualization of the study results within the existing literature.
Finding
Thesis Results
During AY 2012-2013, three students defended their thesis proposal, which concluded the planning stages for original research in the field of criminal justice and criminology. Additionally, two students defended their final thesis – a product which included at minimum a literature review of relevant empirical research, an approved methodology, appropriate statistical analysis and contextualization of findings to the broader literature. The average score for these students on the faculty-developed rubric was 45 out of 45. This cohort of students was particularly strong and no weaknesses were noted by the thesis committee members.
Action
Rubric Re-examined
For the upcoming year, the department will re-examine the faculty developed rubric used to assess student research competency. As the quality and skill sets of our master’s students improve on average, we aim to better articulate and assess associated desired skills.
Goal
Methodological Competence
Methodological Competence
Objective
Competency In Employing Elements Of Qualitative And/or Quantitative Research Methods To Design Scientific-based Projects In The Field Of Criminal Just
Competency in employing elements of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods to design scientific-based projects in the field of criminal justice and criminology.
Indicator
Successful Completion Of Research Methods And Statistical Analysis Coursework
Successful completion of Research Methods and Statistical Analysis coursework.
Criterion
Master 80% Of Material In CRIJ 5392 And CRIJ 6385
All students in the CJ Master's program are required to complete 5392 Survey of Research Methods and 6385 Statistics for Criminal Justice Research in which they must master theory and application of social science research techniques as well as descriptive and inferential statistics as evaluated by demonstration of written, computational and oral abilities. Across this course sequence, standard tests that require application of theoretical ideas and demonstration of statistical analyses are conducted. Students are expected to mater at least 80% of the material.
Finding
Mastery Of Social Science Research Techniques
During AY 2012-2013, a total of 17 students completed the Research Methods and Statistical Analysis sequence in the department with scores above 80%. This finding indicates that students have achieved a working mastery of social science research techniques including an understanding of descriptive and inferential statistics.
Action
80% Master Of Specific Areas
In the upcoming year, we will further expound upon the specific areas of competency that we expect 80% of our Master of Arts students to master prior to degree completion. Specific enhancements are anticipated in the area of statistical analysis. These areas of competency will be assessed as part of the 2014-2015 AY.