Enhance and develop student's ability to conceptualize and deliver an original research paper.
Objective
Competency In Conducting Original Criminal Justice And Criminological Research
Students will demonstrate integration of knowledge, skills and abilities needed to conduct original research in criminal justice and criminology.
Indicator
Conceptualization And Delivery Of The Thesis
Successful conceptualization and delivery of an original research study as demonstrated by the defense of a Thesis using a faculty-developed rubric. The rubric uses a 1 (insignificant) to 5 (critically significant) rating of specific criteria pertaining to conceptualization and delivery of an original research paper. These elements include: choice of problem, theoretical framework, written presentation, originality of idea and/or approach, and contribution to the field.
Criterion
Students Will Score At Least An 80% On Each Of The Related Elements Of The Thesis Rubric
Students will demonstrate their ability to conceptualize and write an original research study within the field of criminal justice or criminology by completing a thesis. Students will score at least an 80% on each of the related elements of the faculty-developed rubric.
Finding
Majority Of Students Scored 80% Or Above On The Conceptualization And Writing Elements Of The Thesis
Overall, students demonstrated competency in conducting original criminal justice and criminological research. When assessing the conceptualization and writing elements of the thesis, 1 students did not achieve the 80% threshold for "choice of problem". Furthermore, 50% (3/6), 67% (4/6), 50% (3/6), and 83% (5/6) of students scored a 4/5 (the minimum requirement) on the criteria of choice of problem, theoretical framework, written presentation, and contribution to the field, respectively. The area that students seem to excel at is originality of idea with 83% of the students scoring 5/5 on this element.
Action
Strengthen Student Ability To Conceptualize And Deliver Original Research
The Department will focus on strengthening students' abilities to conceptualize and write original research in criminal justice or criminology. This may be accomplished by 1. providing a workshop on how to identify criminological problems to study that make a significant contribution to the field , 2. encouraging students to use the University's writing center, and 3. offering more theory-based elective courses to further develop their theoretical knowledge base.
Goal
Methodological And Statistical Competency
Enhance and develop student's methodological and statistical abilities.
Objective
Competency In Employing Elements Of Qualitative And/or Quantitative Research Methods And Relevant Statistics
Competency in employing elements of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods and appropriate statistical analyses in a well designed scientific-based project in the field of criminal justice and criminology.
Indicator
Successful Execution Of Study And Statistics
Students will successfully execute the methodology and statistical analyses needed for their thesis. They will also recognize the assumptions and limitations underlying the research methods and statistical techniques used and accurately interpret the results.
Criterion
Score At Least 80% On The Methodological And Statistical Elements Of The Thesis
Students will score at least an 80% on each section of the methodological and statistical sections of the thesis rubric. These include 1. mode of inquiry, 2. execution of study, 3. interpretation of results, and 4. analysis.
Finding
Majority Of Students Scored An 80% Or Above On The 4 Criteria
Overall, the majority of students achieved a working mastery of social science research methods techniques including an understanding of statistics as measured by the 4 criteria outlined in the thesis rubric. The findings reveal that the area that most students (67%; 4/6) excel at is selecting their mode of inquiry. Only 1 student fell below the 80% benchmark in one category (execution of study). It is also important to note that 50% (3/6) and 67% (4/6) of the students scored a 4/5 (80%) on the interpretation of results and analysis section, respectively, which is the minimum standard.
Action
Enhance Methodological And Statistical Skills
In the upcoming year, the Department will focus on strenghtening students' methodological and statistical skills. This will be accomplished by 1. providing a faculty led 1/2 day workshop on basic statistics and research methods the summer prior to starting the MA program, 2. offering a Statistics II elective course for 2nd year MA students who are beginning to work on their thesis, and 3. providing additional statistical and methodological workshops throughout the semester to further develop specific skills and abilities.