- Do I have an interest in this topic now, and can this interest be sustained throughout the length of the research effort?
- Will the literature search be manageable?
- Is the topic similar to others that have been approved? (If it is different, will it be acceptable without a great deal of "selling" the topic?)
- Will the topic require minimum financial assistance?
- Is the financial assistance that would be needed readily available?
- Is this research the type that I could defend?
- Am I certain that I will be able to collect the data?
- Will I have to travel to collect the data?
- Will I have almost complete control over the information I collect?
- Will I be able to minimize my bias toward this topic? Is the bias that I have easily controlled?
- Can I precisely state the purpose, scope, objectives, and limitations of the study?
- Do I have all the required skills to complete this topic? Are those I lack easily obtained?
*Selected items from George Allen, The Graduate Students' Guide to Theses and Dissertations, (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1973), pp. 22-23.
APPENDIX B
COMPONENTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE MASTER'S DEGREE THESIS PROPOSAL
Dr. Barry Schreiber
Following are the basic components of the Master's Degree Thesis Proposal for Dr. Schreiber in the Department of Criminal Justice. Before developing your proposal, be certain to check with your Thesis mentor for other components or documentation which may be required.
The following list of Master's Degree Thesis components are intended as basic guidelines. More details about individual components can be found in "Appendix 2--The Research Paper" in Robert O'Block's Criminal Justice Research Resources, and John Eck's Using Research: A Primer for Law Enforcement Managers. The SCSU Graduate School's Manual for the Preparation of Field Studies, Theses, Creative Works or Starred Papers is an important source document. The style manual used by the Graduate School is Campbell, Ballou, and Slade, Form and Style: Theses, Reports and Term Papers.
- Introduction and Background of Problem Area--Include a general description of the broad problem area in which you will be working, and why this area is of concern to the criminal justice system today.
- Comprehensive Literature Review--A detailed overview of the research literature in the problem area should be made. Utilize appropriate citation format (See Campbell, Ballou, and Slade, 1990 for style guidelines.) Your interpretation, critique, and analysis of key studies and the literature as a whole are necessary here.
Append your computer online database search of this topic area to your proposal.
- Statement of Master's Thesis Problem--In one paragraph the parameters of your research problem should be described. Include the who, what, how, when, and where of your study. The parameters of your study should be stated as specifically as possible and might begin: "The purpose of this study is to . . ."
- Operational Definitions of Key Terms--Dictionary definitions of key terms are not appropriate here. Instead, operational definitions of your key terms are appropriate. For example, how will the "success" of the law enforcement training program be measured? What "beneficial effects" of a juvenile probation program will be compared? Specify your criterion and outcome variables and quantify your measures.
- The Scope of the Study--Include geographic limits, time limits, and population characteristics.
- Limitations--Identify what will not be included in the scope of your study, e.g. male victims of domestic assault in a study of effectiveness of a domestic intervention project.
- Research Model--Identify the logical events and assumptions which link your criterion variable(s) and your outcome measure(s). This may best be organized in a sequential fashion. Eck (1984) offers a good description of research modeling.
- Research Design--Describe and/or pictorially organize the groups (e.g. comparison, control, experimental) or treatments which will exist in your thesis project.
- Outcome Measures--Describe your outcome measures in detail. Include their source, the type of data they will deliver (nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio) and if cooperation or collaboration with an outside agency or source will be necessary to collect them.
**Include a first draft of your data collection instrument(s), interview protocol(s) and/or questionnaire(s) with your thesis proposal.
**If human subjects are to be used for your data collection, call Sponsored Programs (308-4932) to determine if your research participants may be "at risk," and require experimental safeguards
- Analysis Plan--Describe the comparisons that will be made to analyze your results; and where possible the general or specific types of statistical tests you expect to use.
- Bibliography--Include here in appropriate citation format the key sources you have identified for research in your problem area.
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