Your semester long assignment will be to design, conduct, and write up a short research study. For the purpose of class cohesion, and to aid in meaningful peer discourse you will all design a study around the subject of incarceration. Within this topic you can choose any theme you wish*. A few examples are: recidivism; (re)habilitation; juveniles; elderly; spirit- uality; education; prisoner codes; food; race; gender; humanness; relationships; guards; the prisoner experience; volun- teers; specific programs; international comparisons
This assignment will be an introduction to your research. You will introduce the social problem that you are focusing on, discuss the theories and/or concepts you are engaging in, and the academic literature that you are reviewing on your chosen topic.
(Being that i am a young male of color i would prefer to stick to the theme of racism if possible)
Make sure to include:
A working title: This can be very simple or you may want to think of a creative title for your research – this can change in time as your findings materialize
Preface: a brief personal introduction to why you chose this topic, and what lead to your interest in your research (re-worked)
Abstract: a very brief summary of the entire project (re-worked & incomplete) Introduction: Include the purpose/statement of the problem/research question(s); Wider context
Literature Review: What have you read so far – what is your analysis? Is there a lack of research?
Methodology: Which method are you considering using and why? Include: method (interviews; ethnography (semi-auto-ethnographic); mixed methods; questionnaires; observation; case study/monograph) participants; ethical considerations; consent (form); safety; researcher positionality; (data analysis method chosen & why not needed for draft but include if you would like to)
A working bibliography/references
Due to current events, research may need to be confined to literature searches; documentary analysis; virtual interviews. Design your study as if you were able to conduct it under normal circumstances, then only conduct the research you are able to/feel comfortable with. For example, a telephone interview with one or two participants will suffice if ordinarily you would interview in-person 20 subjects and/or conduct a focus group. The whole point of this semester long assign- ment is to experience, and write about the process of conducting (and attempting to conduct) a piece of research. This is especially challenging now, and I encourage you to use your criminological imagination, and creative thinking to overcome obstacles you may face in terms of gaining access to participants. There are many ways to conduct research, which you will learn about during this course.
