About this Guide
This guide supplements the in-class research instruction for the Argumentative Research Paper assignment in CRJ3225 Criminal Justice.
Recommended Research Strategy
1. Start your research with background reading on your topic.
- Find reference articles about your topic in the library's eReference databases.
- Search Credo, CQ Researcher, and/or Points of View Reference Center
- From your background reading, gather key terms, names, events, etc., to use as keywords for further searching.
2. Next, find books and articles related to your topic.
- Search Library Search for books and e-books
- Limit to "Books" to find books in print and electronic format
- Search Article Databases and Library Search for articles
- Limit to "Peer-Reviewed Journals" to find scholarly articles
3. Format your paper according to APA style.
Potential Topics
- Body Cameras for Police Officers on Patrol
- DNA Profiling
- Domestic Violence
- Drug Policy
- Excessive Use of Police Force
- Gangs
- Mandatory Minimum Prison Sentences for Drug Offenders
- Parole System
- Police Funding
- Private Prison Industry
- Reparations/Compensation for the Wrongfully Convicted
- Rights of Captured Terrorists
- Rights of Convicted Felons
- Sentencing for Juvenile Offenders
- Sex Offender Laws
- Stand Your Ground Laws
- Tasers
- Violence in Schools
- Wrongful Convictions & DNA