The final literature review was a new experience, however
jenni does a great job explaining the process of writing it. The best adivice for
the lit review is to get started as soon as possible. If you have any topics in
mind start looking for information, that way you can ask questions during your
writing process. My topic for the lit review was prison education programs and
its effect on reducing recidivism. There is a lot of information on the CSULA database
and in the library. A very helpful source that I used was Ubah’s and Robinson’s
article named, A grounded look at the
debate over prison-based education: Optimistic theory versus pessimistic
worldview. Best advice is to use your time wisely and take advantage of resources
that we have at school.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
I'll Have Another!
1. This literature review research paper can be a bit intimidating at first. Once you receive your guidelines to this paper your first thoughts will be, "What did I get myself into?!" Don't worry, this isn't as bad as it seems. I advice to start on this paper early and start researching day by day. The researching is time consuming, so I would recommend to start on this once you know what your topic will be. Once you get all the research done, the paper starts to put itself together. Ten pages can seem a lot, but once you have enough research, the problem becomes shortening what you want to put in your paper and what's important. I do wish that I would have had a little more time to proofread a couple more times. I also would have liked to work on the paper a lot more consistently because I would have to read information over and over because I forgot what I read a couple days back. Everyone feels that they can do better.
2. My topic was Organized Crime. I wanted to answer the question, how has law enforcement approached organized crime throughout the years? One source that I felt was extremely useful was Lyman, D. Michael. & Potter, W.
Gary. 2007. Theories of Organized Criminal. These sources can be difficult to find, so I recommend using the library portal to find journals. I also recommend using books. I found that books had a lot of useful information that was not posted in the internet. I would start by searching google to get some brief information on your topic, then go to the library portal to find peer reviewed information.
Well now we can all breath and celebrate the summer!!
One step at a time....
When I first entered the door of my crime 301 class I thought I was going to see a lot of students but they class size was smaller then expected. Through my journey through this class I found out a lot of things that made me understand what this course is about. This class is to reach you how to write in criminal justice. For instance, you will have to do a research paper. Which I advice you to start thinking of a topic and searching for you information as soon as possible, because before you know it your paper will be do and you might feel a little rushed to get it turned in on time. Knowing what I know I would have planned my paper out a little differently. Giving me more time to get the best information on my topic.
The topic I did my research paper on was Incarcerated Mothers. The question I attend to answer was "How have programs to deal with pregnant women in prison changed over time, what are the outcomes of these programs , and what should be changed in the future". One of the source that I felt was real useful this time topic was "Intergenerational transmission of attachment for infants raised in a
prison nursery" by: M.W. Byrnea*, L.S. Goshina and S.
Website:http: //mimas.calstatela.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.mimas.calstatela.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=51743136&site=ehost-live
Finally I Could BREATHE!
At this point, I don't know what makes me more happy! That I finally finish this paper or that I could finally BREATHE?
BEST PIECE OF ADVISE: Make sure that when you take this class your ready for the work load. Since Day 1 you will be expected to complete various assignments and start thinking about your research topic. PLEASE don't wait till the last minute! Since the beginning, when the teacher would tell us to start thinking about our research topic I would always try to put it behind me. Why? Because I though that it would be like any other research paper. Easy. I THOUGHT WRONG! This paper consists of choosing a research topic where you would be expected to deeply analyze your research material and be able to bring in all the resources you found and put them together into a Literature Review.
My topic was on the effectives of education that juvenile delinquents receive while incarcerated.
I had the advantage of writing my topic based on the environment that I experience on a daily basis.
If any one is interested in writing about this topic make sure to stop by the library and check out the book Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Practice and Theory written by Steven M. Cox and John J. Conrad. This book is beyond helpful because it will go into further discussion about the different areas in a juvenile delinquent life's. Most importantly, it contains important theories that are based on the topic.
I could seriously say this has been the best writing class ever. Even though it was quite challenging and consisted of A LOT of work it helped me improve my writing skills. If you want to do so too, TAKE Ms. Hicks. She is very helpful. She will immediately reply to your email and is willing to help at all times.
BEST PIECE OF ADVISE: Make sure that when you take this class your ready for the work load. Since Day 1 you will be expected to complete various assignments and start thinking about your research topic. PLEASE don't wait till the last minute! Since the beginning, when the teacher would tell us to start thinking about our research topic I would always try to put it behind me. Why? Because I though that it would be like any other research paper. Easy. I THOUGHT WRONG! This paper consists of choosing a research topic where you would be expected to deeply analyze your research material and be able to bring in all the resources you found and put them together into a Literature Review.
My topic was on the effectives of education that juvenile delinquents receive while incarcerated.
I had the advantage of writing my topic based on the environment that I experience on a daily basis.
If any one is interested in writing about this topic make sure to stop by the library and check out the book Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Practice and Theory written by Steven M. Cox and John J. Conrad. This book is beyond helpful because it will go into further discussion about the different areas in a juvenile delinquent life's. Most importantly, it contains important theories that are based on the topic.
I could seriously say this has been the best writing class ever. Even though it was quite challenging and consisted of A LOT of work it helped me improve my writing skills. If you want to do so too, TAKE Ms. Hicks. She is very helpful. She will immediately reply to your email and is willing to help at all times.
I've Lost My Mojo
Well that was horrible...I started off the first half of the quarter at a good pace, then BAM! as soon as we got into research territory I lost my mojo. I'm so glad I took this class during spring quarter because I'm going to need the whole summer break to recuperate from that. I don't know why it happened because I had my research topic in mind during the second or third week of class! Any who, I suggest you know in which direction you are headed with your topic as soon as you have chosen your topic, that way you don't go around in circles while doing the research (like I did). I also recommend what every one else has already said, start early! Trust me because I am a HUGE life long procrastinator who thought I can write a 12 page research paper in 2 days. Didn't work out too well for me...
My research paper was on Psychopaths. I focused on what the criminal justice field says about them. And they are basically a thorn in their side because psychopaths have the highest rate of living a criminal life style through out the life span. One source I recommend, if you plan on doing research on this topic, is the book "Understanding Criminal Behavior: Psychosocial approaches to criminality" by David W. Jones. This book has a couple of chapters that talk about psychopathy. It talks about the theories, childhood abuse, and the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). You'll know what the PCL-R is if you do research on this topic. I'm too lazy to explain it right now. Well good luck to you if you decide to stick it out and stay in this class. I'm glad I did. It was a class that not only challenged my mind, but also challenged my habits.
-Eliza
My research paper was on Psychopaths. I focused on what the criminal justice field says about them. And they are basically a thorn in their side because psychopaths have the highest rate of living a criminal life style through out the life span. One source I recommend, if you plan on doing research on this topic, is the book "Understanding Criminal Behavior: Psychosocial approaches to criminality" by David W. Jones. This book has a couple of chapters that talk about psychopathy. It talks about the theories, childhood abuse, and the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). You'll know what the PCL-R is if you do research on this topic. I'm too lazy to explain it right now. Well good luck to you if you decide to stick it out and stay in this class. I'm glad I did. It was a class that not only challenged my mind, but also challenged my habits.
-Eliza
cite or die
The first day of class,I was told "if you work 60 hours a week and go to school full time,is this the class for you? Probably not." I never pay attention to these warnings, but this research paper showed me that maybe I should.
This paper was a complete nightmare simply because it was a lit review, which in my opinion, is just a huge summary of other peoples findings. I was brought up doing research papers, so this was an extremely hard adjustment for me. Its not about the "why"as much as it is about the "she said then this person said."
I am in no position to give advise which would apply to EVERYONE, but i can testify what will work for the student who tends to only work when they have one day,or even worse,the morning of, to finish a huge paper.
First, just think of a topic which has a lot of research on it,but isn't as generic as legalizing drugs. Second, second gather your research about two weeks in advance. Not necessarily putting everything in our own words,just,literally copy/paste everything in an appropriate category (i.e. theories go in the theory section,stats go in the findings section,etc.). Read over all the notes so that you may internalize the information,and be able to reiterate what you have found,but in your own,more comprehensive wording. Third,is the actual writing, which has been made semi easy,because all of the information is at hand.
MY paper was on the effects which the juvenile justice system has on juvenile recidivism. There are a few databases to choose from,but the most useful of them all, in regards to this topic, was proquest. To answer this question,i found the key words "juvenile,recidivism,racism" and "juvenile,probation, effects" to conjure up the most useful results.
I personally found this paper extremely hard to accomplish because I am that 60 hour,full time student/ father, with very little time. In my case time management was extremely important. If i were to go about it differently, i would have started the very first day of class.This would have relieved alot of pressure.
Overall, the project taught me a valuable lesson,in concerns to thejuvenile justice system,and showed me a side of it I've never seen.
This paper was a complete nightmare simply because it was a lit review, which in my opinion, is just a huge summary of other peoples findings. I was brought up doing research papers, so this was an extremely hard adjustment for me. Its not about the "why"as much as it is about the "she said then this person said."
I am in no position to give advise which would apply to EVERYONE, but i can testify what will work for the student who tends to only work when they have one day,or even worse,the morning of, to finish a huge paper.
First, just think of a topic which has a lot of research on it,but isn't as generic as legalizing drugs. Second, second gather your research about two weeks in advance. Not necessarily putting everything in our own words,just,literally copy/paste everything in an appropriate category (i.e. theories go in the theory section,stats go in the findings section,etc.). Read over all the notes so that you may internalize the information,and be able to reiterate what you have found,but in your own,more comprehensive wording. Third,is the actual writing, which has been made semi easy,because all of the information is at hand.
MY paper was on the effects which the juvenile justice system has on juvenile recidivism. There are a few databases to choose from,but the most useful of them all, in regards to this topic, was proquest. To answer this question,i found the key words "juvenile,recidivism,racism" and "juvenile,probation, effects" to conjure up the most useful results.
I personally found this paper extremely hard to accomplish because I am that 60 hour,full time student/ father, with very little time. In my case time management was extremely important. If i were to go about it differently, i would have started the very first day of class.This would have relieved alot of pressure.
Overall, the project taught me a valuable lesson,in concerns to thejuvenile justice system,and showed me a side of it I've never seen.
Monday, June 11, 2012
So glad, it's finally OVER!!
I'm so glad that my research paper is done and over with. Depsite the fact that this class was by far the toughest class I've had, I'm glad that I experienced this level of writing early in criminal justice because it will help me later with future papers for my major. At first I thought I was in and over my head when I found out that I had to write a 10-12 page paper. I told myself, "How am I going to write a 10-12 page paper?" I simply gathered myself together and gathered information and I began writing little by little, which made the paper much easier. I took time on each section but the literature review took the longest out of the whole paper. However, I managed to obtain all the research I needed but there was one book that really helped me with my topic for the paper. The book is called "Health and health care in the Nation's Prison's" and my suggestion to you is look for books instead of journal articles because books are much easier to read and comprehend. Follow the APA format because the professor is very strict on formatting. Good Luck! Future Criminal Justice 301 students!!:)
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