Each student will demonstrate the mechanics of performing a program or policy evaluation by submitting in writing the structure for conducting such an assessment. The student may select any topic area in the criminal justice system, but not an issue addressed in class or in the course texts. The objective of the paper is for the student to identify one criminal justice problem or issue and using the course concepts, principles, techniques, methods, and knowledge gained from the course, design a program evaluation project. The design will be of a hypothetical condition which will have impact on the criminal justice system. The paper should be developed as a “proposal” of how to perform the assessment and not actually performing the research or the evaluation. The paper may address a criminal justice system-wide problem or a criminal justice agency specific problem. The paper is to be from 18 to 20 pages, using 12 font, Times New Roman, and 1.5 spacing, with 1-inch margins. A separate title and reference pages are to be included (not part of the total page count). A minimum of 12 references are to be integrated into your project and DO NOT INCLUDE THE COURSE TEXTS. Refer to the checklist in the Appendix of the Welsh & Harris text (pp. 255-259) and structure the paper in accordance with the following criteria items: a. Introduction: provide an introductory discussion to the topic being addressed (10%). b. Problem Analysis and Goals and Objectives (Stages 1 & 2): Fully describe the problems surrounding the issue selected and describe the goals and objectives which will be established (20%). c. Link a criminal justice theory to your evaluation project: Provide a thorough literature review which is associated with the problem to a theory (or vice versa) and connect it to the need for the assessment project (a minimum of 12 sources must be used). When citing your work, use the APA citation format and include a reference page, which will not be included in the total page count (10%). d. Project Design and Action Planning (Stages 3 & 4): Fully describe what research design, research methods and strategies will be employed to actually perform the assessment. Describe action planning and based on the nature of proposed project, develop and describe with a narrative a Gnatt Chart in your paper/proposal (20%). e. Program/Policy Implementation/Monitoring (Stage 5): Then completely describe how the program will be implemented, the duration, data collection methods, implementation procedures used, and by what method (s) the program/policy will be monitored. Connect the proposed Gantt chart with the implementation items through a detailed description/discussion (20%). f. Assessment Outcomes (Stage 6): Fully describe the expected outcomes from the assessment, the expected benefits (including any monetary), how the results will be used, the impact of the results and findings, and discuss the appropriate policy implications (10%) g. Conclusion: Provide separate paragraphs with your conclusions (10%).
