RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES

 

You will be required to complete a written research assignment which should be a scholarly APA format style paper.  The research assignment will consist of 7 to 9 typed (double space 12 font) pages, with a minimum of 5 references.  The topic must be approved by the professor unless you take your topic from the provided topic list below.  The paper will be due by 10:00 pm PST Saturday of Week Four.  Papers that are late will be reduced by 10% for each day they are late.  Papers should be in APA format and should conform to the APA writing guide found at the NU library cite.  Papers will be graded on references and citations, sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, thesis and content, spelling, organization, format and meeting APA guidelines.  To post your research paper click on the “Research Paper” for Week Four.  This will take you to a new page where you will click on “Write Submission”.  You will then write your research paper in the Text Submission area and click on submit when completed.  You can also attach a file from your computer by clicking on the “Browse My Computer” icon.

 

List of approved research topics

 

Illegal immigration, operation gatekeeper, three strike laws, capital punishment, cameras in the courtroom, bounty hunters, Megan’s law, mandatory sentencing, federal determinate sentencing, home confinement, courtroom evidence, juvenile courts, pre-sentence reports, small claims court, right to a speedy trial, right to counsel, right to bail, right against unreasonable searches, right to a jury and an impartial jury, right to a public trial, right against cruel & unusual punishment, right against excessive fines, right against self-incrimination, right against double jeopardy, grand jury system, major court cases involving the court system & individual rights, criminal liability, capacity to commit a crime, use of deadly force by police, criminal defenses, capital punishment, jurisdiction to establish criminal law: federal vs. state, free speech: limitations; fighting words doctrine, clear & present danger test, obscenity, symbolic speech: flag burning, right to keep & bear arms, gun control, free exercise of religion, constitutional right of privacy, euthanasia, child abuse, computer crimes, domestic violence, date rape, prostitution legalization, RICO/organized crime, stalking laws.

 

Any other professor approved topics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADING RUBRIC FOR RESEARCH PAPER

 

		6 to 7	7 to 8	8 to 9	9 to 10
	References and citations	No references No citations	Few references or some incorrect references Incorrect citations in body of report and reference page	Use of references indicate some research correct citations in body of report or reference page but not in both	Use of references indicate substantial research Correct use of citations per APA in body of report and reference page
	Sentence Structure	Unclear, incorrect, and/or ineffective sentence structure	Simplistic and/or awkward sentence structure	Organized and complex sentence structure that has some stylistic variation	Sentence structure is varied in composition and length
	Grammar	Multiple grammatical and stylistic errors	Some errors in grammar and/or format that do not interfere with clarity	Few grammatical and/or stylistic errors	Nearly error-free which reflects clear understanding and thorough proofreading
	Vocabulary	Apparent confusion with the use of language	Simplistic and/or unclear language	Effective language	Rich and precise language
	Thesis & content	There is no clear purpose of the paper; seemingly little attempt to create a thesis statement	Attempt to create a thesis statement and communicate the purpose throughout	Evidence of thesis can be found and author generally maintains purpose through suitable voice and/or tone	Establishes thesis and maintains clear purpose via suitable voice and tone
	Spelling	Multiple spelling errors	Some spelling errors	Few spelling errors	No spelling errors
	Organization of Paper	Weak organization of ideas	Somewhat unfocused and/or unclear	Logical organization of ideas	Careful and relevant organization of ideas
	Format	Not APA format	Some APA format followed	Mostly APA format followed	APA format followed
	Total Points or percentage earned	48 to 50 = D- 51 to 53 = D 54 to 55 = D+	56 to 58 = C- 59 to 61 = C 62 to 63 = C+	64 to 66 = B- 67 to 69 = B 70 to 71 =B+	72 to 75 = A- 76 to 80 = A