INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH ON CONTEMPORY ISSUES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT

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Term: Spring, 2004

Course Number: LEMN 315

Instructor: Dr. Patrick J. O’Connell 

Office Phone: 219-924-9996

E-mail: Droc126@aol.com

Course Dates:  Tuesday-morning and Evening

Course Time: 8:30 a.m.-12:30---6:00-10:00 p.m.

 

Instructor Background: Ed.D NSU

 

Course Description: This is an introductory course in research methods.  The emphasis will be on the understanding of research process and how to design and evaluate research projects. Topics include research design, conceptualization and measurement, literature reviews, sampling experiments, survey research, questionnaire development, and data analysis. Particular emphasis is placed on survey research. The goal of this course is to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their own research projects as well as apply this knowledge to real life situations. A research proposal is required.  We will endeavor to go through the basic steps of research.  You will have assignments due for each step. There are due dates for each step. I will then provide feedback to you. The final proposal is due the last day of class.

 

Prerequisites:  N/A

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

 

1. Develop skills that are fundamental to conducting and evaluating research projects

2. Critique original research reports published in social science journals

3. Conceptualize a research problem and hypotheses

4. Operationalize and measure variables for scientific analysis

5. Design questionnaires for a survey

6. Understand various research and design techniques

5. Write a research proposal

 

As you know, this is an accelerated class. Thus, we will be covering a lot of material in a short period of time.  You will spend hours reading from your textbooks as well as working on assignments.

 

 

Textbooks  M.L. Dantzker et. al.- Practical Applications for Criminal Justice.

                    Alexander Thomas- Spotlight on Social Research

Learning Strategies: Group Discussions, Team Projects and lecture

 

Assessment:

Chapter outline                                                 30% of grade

Proposal                                                          40% of grade

Research project                                            30% of grade

 

Grading Scale: 

Grade

Points

A

100-92

A-

91-90

B+

89-88

B

87-82

B-

81-80

C+

79-78

C

77-72

C-

71-70

D+

69-68

D

67-62

D-

61-60

F

59 and below

 

Class Policy on Attendance: It is a serious matter when a student misses even one session due to the accelerated format of the program.  If the student misses more than one session, the student is required to withdraw form the module by contacting the Academic Advisor and their instructor

               

Class Participation: Class Participation: Is vital to the learning process.  Students will be prepared to discuss the assigned material.  Class participation may affect the student’s final grade.

 

Class Assignments: 

 

Week One                                                                                                            Topic Assignments

 

Introduction, group discussion,strategtes for class

 

Week Two                                                                                                            Topic Assignments

 

Chapters 1-4

 

Week Three                                                                                                         Topic Assignments

 

Chapters 5-9

 

Week Four                                                                                                           Topic Assignments

 

Chapters 10-13

 

Week Five                                                                                                            Topic Assignments

 

Chapters 14 and 15

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

 

Please note: Calumet College of St. Joseph subscribes to Turnitin.com and all papers can and may be submitted for checks on plagiarism from the Internet/Electronic sources/Databases.

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy: Please see the Degree Completion Program’s Student Handbook for withdrawal policy.  All withdrawals are completed through the Degree Completion Academic Advisor’s office.

 

School Closing Information:

 

                Internet:                                               http://www.ccsj.edu

               

http://www.EmergencyClosings.com

Facility: Calumet College of St. Joseph

Phone: 219.473.4770

 

                Radio:

 

WAKE – 1500 AM

WGN  - 720 AM

WIJE – 105.5 FM

WLS – 890 AM

WZVN – 107.1 FM

WBBM NEWS RADIO 78

 

                TV Channels:

 

2, 5, 7, 9, 32