Identify a criminological relationship of interest to you involving both an independent and
dependent variable. For example, one of the criminological relationships of interest in the Brunson
and Weitzer (2009) “featured researcher” article is the relationship between race and youths’
attitudes toward police.
You may select a topic from either (a) the research areas of the 6 scholars profiled in Chapter 1 of the
Rennison text or (b) the topic areas in NIJ’s now defunct “Five Things” series (listed next page).
Because the articles you select for this assignment must come from one of the journals in the
Journal Guide (on Canvas), you are strongly encouraged to pursue these sources to refine your
relationship of interest. This is the relationship that you will use throughout this project, so please
choose carefully.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
In this assignment, you will identify a criminological relationship of interest that involves both an independent and dependent variable. This relationship will form the basis for your analysis throughout the project. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you define and structure this relationship:
Step 1: Select a Criminological Topic of Interest
You are required to select a criminological relationship involving both an independent and dependent variable. Here are some directions for choosing your topic:
- Research Areas of the 6 Scholars in Chapter 1 of the Rennison Text:
- Review Chapter 1 of the Rennison text, which profiles six criminological scholars. Each scholar will have an associated research area, such as racial disparities in the criminal justice system, juvenile delinquency, or victimization. Identify a relationship that fits your interests.
- Topic Areas in NIJ’s “Five Things” Series:
- The “Five Things” series from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) covers various criminological topics, like crime trends, policing strategies, or substance abuse. Review the topics listed to find one that sparks your interest.
- Examples of Potential Criminological Relationships:
- The relationship between socioeconomic status (independent variable) and juvenile delinquency (dependent variable). Does lower socioeconomic status correlate with a higher likelihood of involvement in delinquency?
- The relationship between police presence in high-crime neighborhoods (independent variable) and public perceptions of safety (dependent variable). Does more police presence lead to a greater sense of safety among residents?
- The relationship between race/ethnicity (independent variable) and sentencing outcomes (dependent variable). How do sentencing outcomes vary across racial or ethnic groups?
Step 2: Define Your Independent and Dependent Variables
Once you have selected your topic, clearly define your independent and dependent variables. The independent variable is the factor that you believe influences or causes a change, while the dependent variable is the outcome or effect that is measured.
- Independent Variable: The factor that influences the dependent variable. For example:
- Socioeconomic status (influences criminal behavior).
- Police presence (influences perceptions of safety).
- Race/ethnicity (influences sentencing outcomes).
- Dependent Variable: The outcome that is influenced by the independent variable. For example:
- Juvenile delinquency (outcome influenced by socioeconomic status).
- Perceptions of safety (outcome influenced by police presence).
- Sentencing outcomes (outcome influenced by race/ethnicity).
Step 3: Search for Relevant Scholarly Articles
Use the Journal Guide on Canvas to identify peer-reviewed articles that examine the relationship you’ve selected. The articles should come from the list of journals provided. Pay attention to:
- Sample size: Does the research use a large, representative sample?
- Methodology: What research methods are used to analyze the relationship? (e.g., surveys, interviews, quantitative analysis).
- Findings: What are the conclusions of the study? Do they support or contradict your hypothesized relationship?
Step 4: Refine Your Relationship of Interest
After reviewing relevant literature, refine your relationship of interest based on the findings you find. For example, if you initially proposed that race influences sentencing outcomes, but the research you read suggests there are more complex factors involved (e.g., legal representation, prior criminal history), you can adjust your hypothesis to reflect those nuances.
Step 5: Prepare Your Assignment
Once you’ve selected and defined your criminological relationship, write a brief statement outlining:
- The topic you’ve selected and why it’s of interest to you.
- The independent variable and the dependent variable you are studying.
- The hypothesis or relationship between the variables that you will be exploring in this project.
- A brief overview of your research approach. Will you be reviewing existing literature, conducting your own analysis, or a combination?
Example of a Criminological Relationship:
Topic: The relationship between police presence and public perceptions of safety in urban areas.
- Independent Variable: Police presence (measured by number of patrols, police officers in the area, etc.).
- Dependent Variable: Public perceptions of safety (measured through surveys or interviews with residents).
Step 6: Submit Your Selection
Once you’ve defined your criminological relationship and variables, submit your topic selection along with a brief description to your professor. This relationship will serve as the foundation for your project.
Good luck with your assignment! By following these steps, you’ll be able to clearly define your criminological relationship and move forward with your research.