Adolescent drug use
Research Project Guide
Students will conduct a research project based on a central research question. Research projects are a cumulative way for students to demonstrate knowledge gained throughout the course. The central research question that students will explore is: What factors are related to adolescent substance use?
The research projects will include six sections:
1. Introduction: statement of the problem, why it is a problem (i.e., what are the consequences of this problem), why it is important to study this problem, and the purpose of the research with an explicit statement of the four factors to be studied and why.
2. Theoretical framework: a thorough summary of the theory and its concepts that help explain why the four factors are related to adolescent substance use. This section must include an explanation and application of the theory and its relevant concepts.3. Review of literature: a review of the research, using at least four scholarly sources. Scholarly sources must be summarized cogently at the end of the section, and students must state the collective relevance of these studies to the current project.4. Methods: a detailed description of the four hypotheses that correspond to the factors of interest and the methodologies used to conduct the study. General topics include information about the sampling method, sample, research design, and measures used.
5. Results: a summary of descriptive statistics and hypotheses tests results.
6. Discussion and Conclusion: a summary of the project, implications for theory, the literature, and policy, limitations of the current project, and suggestions for future research.
Writing Style
Students should use a formal prose and incorporate terminology relevant to criminal justice research. Students should not use first person narrative (do not use ‘I’ or ‘my’) or quotes.
Format
Papers must be formatted to the following criteria: 1–inch margins, double–spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font, and include page numbers (Times New Roman font, bottom, center). Papers should include headings (Introduction, Theory, Literature Review, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion) and appropriate subheadings. Students who do not follow formatting guidelines will have points deducted.
Citations and References
Scholarly sources must be used and referenced throughout the paper using APA formatting style. Information on in–text citation guidelines and referencing is available in the Write and Wrong text. Students should not cite Wikipedia or related websites. Students who do not use scholarly sources will not receive a passing grade. Consult with the instructor in advance if you have questions about sources. Also consult the College’s policy on academic integrity at http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/page.cfm?siteID=209&pageID=17. All students are expected to conduct themselves with academic integrity at all times in this course. Please note that academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to using inappropriate notes or an unauthorized electronic device, misrepresenting or falsifying documents and/or collaborating with another student on course work when not specifically authorized by the faculty member. Plagiarism, an act of dishonesty, includes representing the work of another as one’s own, such as copying somebody else’s writing or another student’s exam answers, or directly copying any material written by somebody else (including webpages) without quotation marks and a proper citation. Academic dishonesty can take many other forms, and each student is responsible for understanding the concept of academic dishonesty. Any and all instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Any student who takes part in any form of academic dishonesty will face harsh consequences including a report to the Office of Academic Affairs and a zero on assignments/exams. Students who are reported to Academic Affairs will not be permitted to withdraw from the cl
