Policy Paper 2
Throughout the semester you will complete 3 brief policy papers. The goal of these papers is to understand the links between theory and policy. This paper will involve the use of Crime Solutions from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Any theory covered through the due date of this paper may be applied.
Instructions
1. Crime Solutions looks at the evidence for both programs and practices. You will first want to read about the differences between these here.
2. Next you will want to familiarize yourself with the evidence rating meanings here.
3. You are going to start by selecting practice profile to examine here. Note that you can use the search filter to narrow down the results by selecting things such as topic or program category based on what you are interested in. I would advise against the technology topic, as that will likely be difficult to connect theory to.
4. Once you have selected a practice, read the profile and evidence for it.
5. Within the practice profile, there is a tab titled Related Programs. Select a program within this practice to explore and read about.
6. Answer the following in a formal, written paper, with appropriate APA citations for any study, course readings, or other sources.
Practice
a. Briefly describe the practice, including what evidence has found about it, and how that evidence was obtained (i.e. what did the researchers do to evaluate it?). (1-3 paragraphs)
b. Discuss what theory or theories you believe fit best with this practice. Justify your reasoning and be sure to cite appropriately. You will want to explain the theory and its concepts (2-4 paragraphs)
Program
c. Briefly describe the program, including what evidence has been found about it, and how that evidence was obtained (i.e. what did the researchers do to evaluate it?). (1-3 paragraphs)
d. Discuss why this program is a) an example of the practice and b) an example of the theory or theories you discussed previously. Justify your reasoning and be sure to cite appropriately. (2-4 paragraphs)
Future Research
e. Based off what the rating of both your practice and program were, consider directions for future research. Consider this question in relation to the theory or theories you discussed.
i. Even if they were both rated effectively, what do you think could be looked at further? For example, perhaps you discussed a youth alcohol prevention curriculum in relation to social control and the four bonds, but the program evaluated only touched on the bond components of attachment and involvement. Thus, future research could examine how beliefs and commitment relate to alcohol prevention by studying X or Y. Be sure to discuss how you think this future research should be carried out. (2-4 paragraphs)
ii. If the practice was rated effectively, but not the program (or vice versa), be sure to discuss why you think that might be and how it could be improved.
Note that the paragraph suggestions for each part are just suggestions—you may have more or less—as long as you meet the 3-5 page requirement it’s fine.
Assessment
1. Your paper should be 3-5 pages in length, not including the references page.
2. Your paper should be written at a graduate level that incorporates and references course material.
3. Your paper should be formatted as Times New Roman, size 12, double spaced, 1 inch margins, with APA format for any citations. See Week 1 on CourseDen for APA citation style resources.
4. Your paper should be submitted on the due date by 11:59pm.
5. The following rubric will be used to evaluate each policy paper.
Objective
Criteria
Not Met
(F)
Needs Improvement
(D Range)
Minimally Acceptable
(C Range)
Meets Expectations
(B Range)
Exceeds Expectations
(A Range)
Quality
· No evidence of critical thinking.
· No connections made (or nothing submitted).
· Superficial writing.
· No valid connections made between content.
· No analysis or insight.
· Critical presentation of opinion not present.
· Some connections made, although all might not be valid.
· Analysis of content is evident, although possibly not complete.
· Critical presentation of opinion is not complete.
· Valid connections made.
· Paper is complete with analysis and insight.
· If present, opinions are presented at a critical level.
· Superb connections made.
· Paper demonstrates fantastic analysis and insight with attention to detail.
· If present, opinions are presented at a critical level.
Quantity
· Quantity is completely unacceptable (or nothing submitted).
· Length of paper does not meet requirements.
· Proper citation is missing.
· Length of paper meets the requirements but includes considerable “fluff” or “filler.”
· Proper citation used.
· Length of paper meets requirements.
· Proper citation used.
· Length of paper meets requirements.
· Proper citation used.
Stylistics
· Content is illegible (or nothing submitted).
· Many spelling or grammar errors.
· Content is difficult to understand.
· Few spelling or grammar mistakes.
· Content is generally easy to understand.
· No spelling or grammar mistakes.
· Content easy to understand.
· No spelling or grammar mistakes.
· Content easy to understand.
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Criminology
