Theory

FALL 1994
     The latest story that has caught the imagination of the country is the South Carolina woman who drowned her two children and claimed that they were stolen in a car jacking by an African American. The question asked is: How could she do that? How could she have drowned her children?
     As a master of criminal justice, you should be able to explain this from at least two theoretical perspectives. Choose two theorists, one from each theoretical perspective, explain each theory completely and apply it to explain the murder of the two children. Don't choose a theory because you know it the best. Use two appropriate theories from specific theorists which best explain the murder.

SPRING 1995
     There has been a lot of questions concerning political corruption in West Virginia. The latest saga is over the Senate Majority Leader, Truman Chaffin's illegal wire tapping of the telephone of his former wife, state Health and Human Resources Secretary Gretchen Lewis. The question asked is what would possess a man of his wealth and position to flagrantly disregard the law. Being a master of criminal justice, you should be able to address this question from many perspectives. Choose a theorist from two schools which would best explain this type of crime. Be specific in explaining each theorist's theory and applying it. Choose the most appropriate theories, not the one's you may know best. (If you have another theory based question later, you may only use a theorist or school once on the comprehensive examination).

SUMMER  1995
     The Circuit Judges for Cabell County have decided not to issue any new permits to carry a concealed weapon. So what? As a Master of Criminal Justice, you should be able to address the ramifications of this decision on crime prevention. Use one theorist's theory from one Criminological School to argue that concealed weapons will not prevent crime and use another theorist's theory from another criminological school to argue that carrying a concealed deadly weapon, would prevent crime. Be sure to completely discuss each theorist's theory in detail in your application.

FALL 1995
     The latest buzz around Huntington was the slaying of a carry out clerk by three juveniles. The blatant motive seems to be three cases of cheap beer. The question asked is how could three young men do this. It seems that two of the juveniles had minor juvenile status offense records and one had rather serious juvenile offenses that would have been adult offenses.
     Could you explain what happened? As a master in criminal justice I believe you could. Pick a theorist(s) from a school which would best explain the two status offenders' actions. Also, pick a theorist(s) from another school which would explain the long term juvenile offender's actions.
     You should explain the theorist(s)' theories completely and then explain the behaviors of the juveniles.
 
SPRING 1996
     In looking for new, significant trends in criminal justice about which to write theory questions, one thing became clear. There were no significant criminal justice problems which theory might conquer mentioned in the last month. So the question for you is, why has theory stagnated? Which seem to be the theories that are most often used now in either police, corrections or law (you choose one area). Pick at least one theorist from two different schools whom you feel are now most often used in the police, corrections or law area you have chosen. Describe the theorist's(s) theory(s) from each of the schools chosen in its/their entirety and explain how each is currently being used in the field chosen.

SUMMER 1996
     According to a recent newspaper article in the Herald Dispatch, a study shows that when you rudely bump and insult an American Southern male his testosterone level increases. This increase is supposedly related to the insulting of the American Southern male’s honor. He reacts differently from Northern males who do not seem to mind the insult. Take a theorist from two different criminological schools and try to explain this phenomena, the American Southern honor culture and its physiological effects. Thoroughly discuss each theorist’s perspective and then apply it to the situation above.

FALL 1996
     At least 70 major cities have enacted curfews to reduce juvenile crime. Huntington was exploring the possibility of a curfew here as well. About three weeks ago, the Federal Circuit Court for our circuit ruled that a curfew was unconstitutional.
     Pick a theorist from one criminological school which would support the curfew and one theorist from a criminological school which would oppose the curfew. Explain each theorist’s theory completely and then explain why the theorist would or would not support the curfew to reduce juvenile crime.

SPRING 1997
     Since questions are written on what is current, this question will address the Heaven’s Gate cult.
Recently, 29 members (21 females and 18 males) committed mass suicide in a mansion in Rancho Santé Fe, California. The members were generally from middle class family backgrounds and were engaged in computer site management as a means of support.
     The leader, Marshall Herff Applewhite, was dying (his body disintegrating) and he wished to leave his body and rendezvous with an alien space craft following the Comet Hale-Bopp. Therefore, he and his followers all committed suicide by ingesting vodka and depressants. Each person video taped a goodbye and laid themselves on the bed, consumed the drink, and covered themselves with a cloth and died.
     The question asked is, “How could these very intelligent people do such a thing?” Well, as a Master of Criminal Justice, you should be able to explain this. Choose a theorist(s) from two different criminological schools to explain this occurrence. Be sure to explain the theorists theories in detail and then apply them to explain the mass suicide. I would recommend that you consider Durkheim’s explanations of suicide, but leave the choice up to you.

SUMMER 1997
     There have been numerous stories lately about very young single women or couples who have had children who they hid from everyone. They then had the children and disposed of the dead child, apparently with little or no remorse. People want to know how someone could do this. As a Master of Criminal justice, you should be able to explain this. Take one theorist from two different schools of criminology and explain how someone could do this. Make sure to explain each theorist’s theory completely and then use it to explain this phenomena.

FALL 1997
     The latest news story people ask me about is the student who went into his high school and killed teachers and students. What makes this different, is that he did so in a conspiracy with other boys. The question asked is how could three young men do this?
     This middle class community is shocked and can’t seem to explain why the juveniles would do something like this.
Could you explain what might have happened? As a Master of Criminal Justice I believe you could. Pick a theorist(s) from a school which could best explain the actions of the murderer. Also, pick a theorist(s) from a school which would best explain the conspiracy part of the story – how these seemingly normal boys could do this as a group.
     You should explain the theorist(s)’ theories completely and then explain the behaviors of the juveniles by the theories.

SPRING 1998
     As you are aware, or you have been in a cave, there was a shooting which involved the death of four girls, a female teacher and the wounding of 11 other students. It is apparent that the targets of the attack were girls at the middle school, especially one girl who had spurned one of the attackers.
     The two attackers, Andrew Golden, 11, and Mitchell Johnson, 13, have stunned America. Everyone wants to know why these two boys did this. It seems incomprehensible. However, as a graduate of the Marshall University Criminal Justice Department, you should be able to understand and explain the occurrence.
     Take two theorists, one each from two of the following three schools – subcultural, radical feminist, or differential association/social learning – explain the theorist’s theory in its entirety and then apply it to explain the shooting of the girls.

FALL 1999
     Since nothing drastic has occurred in the last week in criminal justice, this question will address a reoccurring question. Why do college students cheat, especially criminal justice majors.
     The question asked is, “How could these people who are going into criminal justice careers do such a thing?” Well, as a Master of Criminal Justice, you should be able to explain this. Choose a theorist(s) from two different criminological schools to explain this occurrence. Be sure to explain the theorists theories in detail and then apply them to explain cheating.

SPRING 1999
     As you should be aware, Dr. Jack Kevorkian has been convicted of Second Degree Murder in the death of Thomas Youk. Dr. Kevorkian allegedly has assisted 130 people end their lives. The argument for this assistance was in the name of personal freedom of choice. The people assisted had terminal diseases which made them suffer as well. They chose to end their lives rather than suffer and/or experience a drastically reduced “quality of life” that would have made their existence intolerable to them.
     The counter argument is that the physician doesn’t have the right to “kill” his patients. This destroys the physician-patient relationship of trust, that the physician will do everything to prevent the death of the patient. The argument also espoused is that physician assisted suicide sends a message that those who are terminally ill should kill themselves.
     We appear to have two clashing values here. The law in 49 states does not allow physician assisted suicide, only Oregon does. The other states’ laws hold such behavior to be either murder or a charge of assisting in suicide. The law forbids the act in some way even if the person consents and participates willingly. The case in Michigan ended in a second degree charge because the jury was not sure there was intent to kill on Dr. Kevorkian’s part.
The question for your comprehensive examinations is to look at the situation of Dr. Kevorkian and analyze it from theoretical perspectives. As a Master of Criminal Justice, you should be able to do this from two Schools of Criminology. Take a theorist(s) from the Classical or New Classical School and look at the problem of assisted suicide. This relates well to the questions of intent and freedom of choice. Explain the theorist(s) theory in detail and then apply it to discuss the question of physician assisted suicide.
Second, take a theorist(s) from the conflict school, preferably group conflict, and analyze the situation. Explain the theorist(s) theory in detail and explain the conflict between the factions who favor and oppose physician assisted suicide. Why do you think there is a conflict and how do you think it will be resolved (who will win)?

Summer 1999
     As you are aware, the nation has been thrown into a panic over the Columbine High School Shootings. The people are panicked because the shooters were so well organized. They were members of an outcast group of students called the Trench Coat Mafia. They targeted students from the Preppies and Jocks. They had semi-automatic weapons and explosives. They obtained the weapons by having other people buy them, and as “strawmen,” which is against federal law. They obtained the instructions for making bombs from the Internet. All-in-all, they were not a part of the school of society. The Congress is preparing to enact legislation for instant record checks at gun shows and to require that all weapons be locked with gun locks and/or gun cabinets/safes.
As a master of criminal justice, you should be able to explain what caused or allowed these juveniles to do what they did. Take a theorist from the social bond (control) school and the anomie (strain) school. Explain each theorist’s theory in its entirety and then apply it to explain why the Columbine High School tragedy occurred.

FALL 1999
    As you should be aware, there have been a rash of murder suicides at workplaces. They involve current or ex-significant others or irate workers. There is a general call for stricter gun control as a way to solve the problem. The gun control advocates say that strict gun control will stop these occurrences.
     As a master of criminal justice, you should be able to explain what caused or allowed these people to do what they did and whether strict gun control would have prevented the tragedies. Take two theorists, one each from two of the three following schools: the psychological, social bond (control) or differential association/social learning school.          
     Explain each theorist’s theory in its entirety and then apply it to explain why the mass murders occur and whether or not gun control would solve the problem according to your interpretation of the theory.
 
FALL 2003
     Most scholars agree that a relationship exists between the state of the economy and the crime rate. After a decade of prosperity and a declining crime rate the National Debt has once again appeared and the national economy is suffering from a growing deficit. Given these facts it is reasonably safe to assume the crime rate will once again rise. Policy analysts are trying to decide the best manner by which to stem the anticipated rise in crime and the increasing costs associated with incarceration. Given that the United States stands atop the world in the number of citizens incarcerated for nonpolitical crimes the costs are sure to be staggering.
     Given your knowledge of Criminological Theory please provide at least two schools of thought regarding criminal behavior utilizing Social Structure and Social Process theory. In your discussion please be sure to include methods by which criminal behavior could be curtailed.

FALL 2005

    According to the Uniform Crime Report, in the year 2000, Alaska reported approximately 70.3 forcible rapes per 100,000 inhabitants (N = 468), which ranked the first highest in the United States. Over time, the rate increased, as by comparison in 2003, Alaska also had the highest rate of forcible rapes at 92.5 per 100,000 inhabitants (N = 600). Furthermore, Alaska has been ranked as having the 10^th highest occurrence for violent crimes overall among the states.    

    Governor Frank Murkowski of Alaska has called a meeting to explore the underlying reasons why women in Alaska continue to be victimized at such alarming rates in an effort to develop strategies to combat this problem. Given your expertise as a theoretical criminologist, you have been asked to attend this meeting and provide the governor with some insight about why forcible rape is such a problem in Alaska. Specifically, you have been asked to identify a criminological theory which best explains the crime of forcible rape. Be sure to describe the theory in detail and then demonstrate how it explains the crime. In addition, include the specific policy implications that lend themselves to combating or solving this problem. (If you would like to offer additional insights about why the rate increased from 2000 to 2003, you may do so as well, time permitting.)

SPRING 2006

    Read the following excerpt from the New York Times article titled, “New Orleans begins search for its dead; Violence persists.”

Troops patrolled the streets, rescuers hunted for stragglers and New Orleans looked like a wrecked ghost town yesterday as the evacuation of the city neared completion and the authorities turned to the grim task of collecting bodies in a ghastly landscape awash in numberless corpses.

…In New Orleans, thousands of National Guard and active duty troops as well as federal marshals finally appeared to be in control of streets where looters and hooligans had run wild for days last week, unchecked by overwhelmed police officers who were focused on saving lives, not property, in the chaotic city. Fires had burned unchecked by overwhelmed firefighters.

The crisis put enormous pressure on many police officers and firefighters, pressure some could not withstand. P. Edwin Compass III, the New Orleans police superintendent, said on Saturday that 200 of the 1,500 members of his force had walked off the job and that two other had committed suicide…(McFadden, 2005, para. 1, 17-18)

    Given your expertise as a theoretical criminologist, you should be able to explain what caused or allowed these people to do what they did after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, and explain what could have prevented these tragedies. Specifically, choose two theorists, one each from two of the following schools: anomie/strain and social bond (control). Explain the two theories entirely. Last, apply both of them to the excerpt above.

SPRING 2007

    Read the following excerpt and respond to the directions below.

According to OJJDP, juveniles accounted for 15.0% of all arrests for Violent Crime Index offenses in 2001. Likewise, juveniles accounted for approximately 30.0% of all Property Crime Index offenses in the U.S. In WV, slightly greater than twenty percent (21.3%) of all Property Crime Index arrests involved juveniles in 2002. Aside from runaway and curfew violations where juveniles account for nearly 100.0% of the arrests, motor vehicle theft (28.0%) involved the highest proportion of juveniles in WV. Juveniles account for just over twenty percent of all arrests for vandalism (22.3%), larceny-theft (21.5%), and arson (20.8%)….Juveniles accounted for less than 10.0% of arrests for violent offenses in 2002, including weapons violations. Of the 8 offenses in which juveniles constitute less than 10.0% of all arrests, 6 can be easily characterized as violent. These include forcible rape (8.8%), robbery (7.4%), murder (7.1%), other assaults (5.7%), other sex offenses (5.5%), and aggravated assault (5.4%). Only 8.6% of all weapons violations involved juveniles in 2002….Less than 5.0% of all arrests for embezzlement, disorderly conduct, fraud, kidnapping, forgery, DUI, drunkenness, and bad checks also involved juveniles in 2002. (Turley & Haas, 2004, p. 2)

    Even though juvenile crimes have declined and the proportion of juvenile arrests in West Virginia is lower than the national average, Governor Manchin has asked you, the criminological expert, to explain juvenile delinquency in our home state. More specifically, select a theory from the rational choice (or new classical theories as Dr. Dameron calls them) or the labeling perspective. Explain this theory in detail (i.e., provide explanations of the theory’s basic idea, views on human nature, the law, society and social order, and causal logic). Be sure to place your answer in context by addressing the governor. Last, include policy implications (based on the theory you choose), which will aide in a continued reduction of juvenile arrests in our state.

Reference:Turley, E., & Haas, S. (2004, July) WV Juvenile Arrest Report: 2000-2002. Charleston, WV: Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center, Division of Criminal Justice Services, Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. Available online at www.wvdcjs.com/statsanalysis.

FALL 2007

    In the twenty-first century, women are prostitutes for many different reasons, which are similar to the reasons women became prostitutes in the Victorian age. Some prostitute’s explanation for becoming involved in this criminal profession include having a history of sexual abuse, having grown up without love from the significant adults in their lives, being enticed by a male or female friend, being peer pressured from a group of friends, drug addiction, and/or needing money. To date, laws which prohibit prostitution generally focus on criminalizing the act of the prostitute (often a female) as opposed to the customer (often a male).

    The mayor of the city of Huntington has asked you, the criminological expert, to explain the crime of prostitution. More specifically you need to use the feminist perspective or the labeling perspective (i.e., provide explanations of the perspective’s basic idea, views on human nature, the law, society and social order, and causal logic). Be sure to place your answer in context by addressing the mayor and applying the theoretical perspective to the situation in Huntington, WV. Last, include perspective-specific policy implications (based on the theory you choose) for combating prostitution. 

SPRING 2008

    Directions: Read the following news article from the Herald Dispatch and respond to the statements below.

Cardholders not liable for charges in scam

March 12, 2008

By Ben Fields

HURRICANE -- Recent allegations that a Putnam County restaurant used customers' credit card numbers for purchases may have more area residents checking their bank statements, but the state Attorney General's Office said there isn't a need for panic. Specifically, Deputy Attorney General Jill Miles debunked advisories from some law enforcement agencies and media outlets for customers to only use cash when dining out. "I question that advice," she said. "The most a customer could be liable for is $50, even if they don't report the card lost or stolen, and a lot of times the credit companies don't even charge you that." The concern arose after customers of Hurricane Mexican eatery Mi Pueblito alleged someone at the restaurant had been using their credit cards to make purchases in areas as far away as Mexico City.

Hurricane police told reporters that they have had complaints from multiple customers, adding up to about $30,000 in alleged fraudulent charges. Miles said someone at the restaurant probably simply wrote the card numbers down and then used them online or over the telephone. "There is also a device known as a skimmer that allows someone to run a card through this machine that stores all of the information," Miles said. "My guess is that was probably not what they were doing in this case." Miles said if questionable charges appear on a card, it is up to the creditor to validate those charges. "If you see an unauthorized charge, you should notify the credit bureau," she said. "They then contact the creditor, and the creditor has to show that the charge was authorized." While customers aren't liable for charges, that doesn't mean they shouldn't keep an eye on bank and credit statements. Miles said credit theft is becoming ever more common in West Virginia. "Last year, I would say probably the number one complaint we received had to do with credit," she said. "It's becoming a very hot issue."

    Given your expertise as a theoretical criminologist, address the crime of credit card fraud by explaining what caused or allowed the offender(s) to commit this crime. Specifically, choose ONE of the following theories: neutralization, rational choice, or self control. (1) First, explain the theory entirely. (2) Second, apply the theory to the story above and then (3) describe the related policy implications.

FALL 2008

    Directions: Read the following news article and respond to the questions below.

As economy sinks, officials fear violent solutions

(AP) -- An out-of-work money manager in California loses a fortune and wipes out his family in a murder-suicide. A 90-year-old Ohio widow shoots herself in the chest as authorities arrive to evict her from the modest house she called home for 38 years. In Massachusetts, a housewife who had hidden her family's mounting financial crisis from her husband sends a note to the mortgage company warning: "By the time you foreclose on my house, I'll be dead." Then Carlene Balderrama shot herself to death, leaving an insurance policy and a suicide note on a table. Across the country, authorities are becoming concerned that the nation's financial woes could turn increasingly violent, and they are urging people to get help. In some places, mental-health hot lines are jammed, counseling services are in high demand and domestic-violence shelters are full. "I've had a number of people say that this is the thing most reminiscent of 9/11 that's happened here since then," said the Rev. Canon Ann Malonee, vicar at Trinity Church in the heart of New York's financial district. "It's that sense of having the rug pulled out from under them." With nowhere else to turn, many people are calling suicide-prevention hot lines. The Samaritans of New York have seen calls rise more than 16 percent in the past year, many of them money-related. The Switchboard of Miami has recorded more than 500 foreclosure-related calls this year. "A lot of people are telling us they are losing everything. They're losing their homes, they're going into foreclosure, they've lost their jobs," said Virginia Cervasio, executive director of a suicide resource enter in southwest Florida's Lee County……"The financial stress builds up to the point the person feels they can't go on, and the person believes their family is better off dead than left without a financial support," said Kristen Rand, legislative director of the Washington D.C.-based Violence Policy Center. Dr. Edward Charlesworth, a clinical psychologist in Houston, Texas, said the current crisis is breeding a sense of chronic anxiety among people who feel helpless and panic-stricken, as well as angry that their government has let them down. "They feel like in this great society that we live in we should have more protection for the individuals rather than just the corporation," he said. It's not yet clear there is a statistical link between suicides and the financial downturn since there is generally a two-year lag in national suicide figures. But historically, suicides increase in times of economic hardship. And the current financial crisis is already being called the worst since the Great Depression. Counselors at Catholic Charities USA report seeing a "significant increase" in the need for housing counseling.

Law

FALL 1994
     Much attention has recently refocused on the issue of gun control. Newly elected members of Congress have stated their intention to revoke the Brady Bill and the ban on assault weapons included in the Crime Control Bill of 1994.
     Discuss the competing rights and policy considerations on each side of the issue. Specifically address any constitutional issue(s) and the policy implications on both sides of the issue (i.e. how do we benefit from gun control? Is the expectation that gun control will reduce violence reasonable? Has gun control worked under existing legislation? Could it be improved?)

SPRING 1995
     Paula Blandhi, a second year law student from India, had just failed her final examination in the basic income tax course. She was particularly angry because she felt that the instructor, Professor Jones, had tricked her with misleading exam questions. Several other students told Ms. Blandhi that they, too, had been deceived. Fearing expulsion from school, Ms. Blandhi telephoned Professor Jones at 7:00 p.m. the evening grades were posted. After identifying herself, she calmly told him that the exam had been unfair and asked to be given a new test. Professor Jones became incensed at the tenor of Ms. Blandi's remarks. Loudly informing her of his years of experience in writing examinations and the utter simplicity of the particular question at issue, he told he that "a damn cow would not have missed the obvious point of the question." He also added that he felt he had graded the exam rather leniently and, if bothered by any more student complaints, would re-grade it. He then slammed down the receiver.
     Ms. Blandhi immediately called the local police who arrested Jones for violating the following statute:
§ 15.3 Use of profane, threatening of indecent language over telephone. If any person shall curse or abuse anyone or use vulgar, profane, threatening, or indecent language over any telephone in this State, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be prosecuted either in the county or city from which he called or in the county or city in which the call is received.
     As one his favorite former students, you have been retained to represent Jones. Discuss the issues you would raise in Jones' defense, including, but not necessarily limited to, vagueness and First Amendment issues.

SUMMER 1995
     We Spend billions of dollars annually in this country on crime and corrections. Without doubt, crime and the government's response to crime will be large issues in next year's general elections.
     Why are our governmental expenditures on crime so ineffective? Why can't we seem to find a solution to the increasing number of crimes -- especially violent crimes -- in this country?
     List and discuss five changes to the criminal law and/or procedures you would recommend to make the fight against crime more effective. Please be specific and explain how your recommended changes would improve, or enhance, effective law enforcement. Also, discuss any anticipated drawbacks to implementing your suggestions.

FALL 1995
     Officers Wright and Sane are approached in the street by Charles Cahen, who says that he has seen his next door neighbor Emily Rules, sell cocaine from her house to high school students. Wright does not know Chane, but Sane has met him socially at religious gatherings and knows he lives at 219 W. Fowler. Wright goes to that address and observes the only neighboring house for an hour. During that hour, four seedy-looking characters enter and leave, but Wright sees no high school students. The following day, the officers obtain a warrant from a local judge to "search Emily Rule's house, 221 W. Fowler, for cocaine." The warrant is issued based upon the sworn written affidavit of Wright and Sane who attest to the above facts. Upon arriving at Rule's house, the police are greeted by her twenty-one-year-old daughter. When they tell her they have a search warrant, she tells them her mother is gone but they can come inside and look around. Once inside, the police seize three pounds of cocaine lying on the kitchen counter, along with some professional roulette wheels and craps tables set up in the basement. As the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case, you plan to introduce the cocaine and gambling paraphernalia at trial.
Initially, review the approach of the United States Supreme Court to search warrants. When must one be obtained?      What are the requirements for a valid warrant.
     Then apply that approach to this case. Is the warrant valid? Why or why not? Explain what challenge you might expect from a defense attorney and your response to that challenge.
     Finally, determine whether or not the evidence will be admissible and explain your determination.

SPRING 1996
     The West Virginia Legislature again considered, but failed to pass, a death penalty statute during the 1996 legislative session. Briefly discuss the constitutional issue surrounding the death penalty in the United States and how the United States Supreme Court has resolved it. Then, discuss policy issues on both sides of the death penalty debate. Be sure to include in your discussion arguments in support of and against the death penalty.

SUMMER 1996
     Abortion continues to create legal issues to be resolved in the United States. Most recently, the United States Supreme Court has been called upon to resolve the constitutionality of statutes which restrict picketing of abortion clinics. Describe the constitutional issues involved on both sides of the issue. How has the Court resolved the issue of the constitutionality of the picketing statute? Explain the Court’s reasoning.

FALL 1996
     The Fourth Amendment provides protection against unreasonable search and seizure. Provide the following information about how the Fourth Amendment has been interpreted by the United States Supreme Court:

1. Who is protected by the Fourth Amendment?
2. Against whom does the Fourth Amendment provide protection?
3. What remedy has the Supreme Court developed for violation of the Fourth Amendment?
4. Are there times when the judicially created remedy for violation of the Fourth Amendment does not apply? If so, when? (Please be specific.)

SPRING 1997
     The United States Supreme Court has recently heard arguments concerning the constitutionality of the new federal law, the Communications Decency Act. The Communications Decency Act is aimed at limiting computer pornography on the Internet. The law makes it illegal to transmit sexually explicit material to anyone under the age of 18; however, it excludes from prosecution those who make a “reasonable, effective and appropriate” attempt to keep indecent material out of the hands of minors.
     Briefly discuss arguments which you would expect opponents and proponents of this law to make. Then, discuss any possible grounds on which the law could be held unconstitutional. Specifically address when the government can regulate speech and whether this law fits within one or more of those circumstances.

SUMMER 1997
     Discuss the exclusionary rule. How was it developed? Is it constitutionally mandated? What are the primary arguments for and against the exclusionary rule? Are there any exceptions to the application of the exclusionary rule? If so, please describe them.

FALL 1997
     Explain how the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution has been interpreted by the Courts. Who is protected? From whom are they protected? What analysis will the courts use to determine whether or not the Fourth Amendment should apply? If the Fourth Amendment does apply to a case and if the Fourth Amendment has been violated, what is the remedy?

SPRING 1998
     What is the source of the Constitutional concept of “equal protection under the law” in the United States? How has the United States Supreme Court traditionally applied the equal protection clause? How has the traditional approach to applying equal protection changed in the last 25 years? Please be as specific as Possible. You may provide examples, as appropriate.

FALL 1998
     Jones, a police officer in a small town in State X near an interstate freeway, was told by the police chief that a report had been received which stated that within the next week, a lone male driving a car with an out-of-state license would be coming through the town, traveling in an easterly direction, and carrying an illegal shipment of heroin. Shortly thereafter, while on a routine patrol, Jones saw a car, traveling east, with an out-of-state license, being driven by a lone male, Don, who stopped the car when signaled to do so by Jones. At Jones’ request, Don produced his driver’s license, which had expired. Jones then placed Don under arrest for violation of a State X law requiring a valid license for anyone operating a vehicle in West Virginia. The maximum penalty for such a violation is a $100 fine and 10 days in the county jail.
     Although under State X law an arresting officer has the discretion to issue a citation for violation of the license statue, it was normal practice to place a violator who was from out-of-town under custody, and to require bail to be posted before the person was released from custody.
     After removing Don from the vehicle and placing him under arrest, Jones patted him down. While doing so, the officer felt something and thrust his had into Don’s coat pocket. Jones found a small clear plastic vial containing 10 pills. Jones asked Don if he had a doctor’s prescription for the pills, and Don replied that he did not. Jones then asked Don for permission to search the car, and Don replied, “Go ahead, why not?”
While searching the car, Jones found a plastic bag taped behind the glove compartment which contained a substance that looked and smelled like marijuana. Upon laboratory analysis, the pills found in Don’s possession were determined to be a type of drug which it is illegal to possess under State X law without a prescription, and the substance in the plastic bag was found to be marijuana.
     Don was charged with (1) illegal possession of marijuana, and other dangerous drugs (the pills), and (2) violation of the West Virginia license statue. Counsel for Don filed a motion to suppress the evidence, seeking thereby to exclude Don’s statements to Jones, as well as the pills and marijuana, from introduction at trial.
     The constitution of State X has a clause identical to Amendment IV of the United States Constitution.
     What rights, if any, under the federal and/or state constitutions would be asserted for Don in support of the motion to suppress evidence, and how should the State X court rule on the motion? Discuss.

SPRING 1999
     Discuss the appropriate way to analyze the need for a search warrant under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. What preliminary issues should be considered? What are the exceptions to the search warrant requirement?

SUMMER 1999
     Discuss the Exclusionary Rule. How was it developed? Is it required by the United States Constitution? When does it apply? Are there exceptions to its application? Is so, what are they? Will it continue to be the law in the United States? Explain.

FALL 2005

    President Bush’s newest nomination to the United States Supreme Court is Judge Samuel Alito, sometimes referred to as “Scalito” because his opinions so closely mirror those of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia.  One area of Judge Alito’s background that is sure to receive scrutiny during the confirmation process is his view on abortion.  The only real clue we have in this regard is that Judge Alito wrote a dissenting opinion in which he favored legislation that would require a woman to notify her husband before obtaining an abortion.

    Discuss the constitutional foundation for the right to abortion.  What constitutional provision(s) establish the Constitutional right?  What kind of right is it?  How has the United States Supreme Court ruled on other cases in which this same constitutional right has been claimed?  Discuss the legality of abortion:  how it came to be and whether it has been modified.

    Finally, discuss whether Judge Alito’s strong personal objection to abortion should justify his vote to overturn the cases that have established a woman’s right to abortion.  Explain your position.

SPRING 2006

    The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that, “Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech . . . .”  Does the language of the First Amendment apply to hate speech?  Can the federal or state government regulate Internet child predators who use such web sites as MySpace to locate and recruit victims?  What problems exist in the regulation and investigation of such cases?  Explain.

SPRING 2007

    The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and erects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.” Explain, then, how the Exclusionary Rule works.  Since exclusion of evidence unconstitutionally seized is not included in the Fourth Amendment, how was the Exclusionary Rule created, and by whom?  What is its purpose?  When does the Exclusionary Rule apply? When does it not apply? Are there exceptions to the Exclusionary Rule?  If so, name and describe those exceptions.  What is the mechanism for enforcing a defendant’s rights under the Exclusionary Rule?

FALL 2007

    Eight convicted sex offenders have taken up residence under the Julia Tuttle Causeway, one of the bridges that lead to Miami’s South Beach, with the permission of authorities.  The men have committed such crimes as sexual battery and molestation, many of the offenses against children.  The eight men are required to be there every night from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.  Parole officers come by regularly to make sure the men are there every night.

    An ordinance intended to keep predators away from children has made it nearly impossible for the men to find housing.  Under the strict sexual predator law, offenders are required to live more than 2,500 feet from anywhere children congregate, and they are barred from leaving the county while on parole.  The men have been unable to find housing they can afford where they can legally live. 

    If you were advising them, would you recommend they challenge the constitutionality of the ordinance? You should consider their right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment (Eighth Amendment), their right to freedom of association (First Amendment), and their right to substantive due process (Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments).  Then, consider the right of society to protect itself and its children from such offenders.  Finally, compare this situation to other situations where courts have examined post-sentence sanctions for sex offenders.

SPRING 2008

    The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Explain when the Fourth Amendment applies to cases and how the Fourth Amendment is enforced.  Specifically address what happens when police illegally obtain evidence.  What remedy is available to the defendant?  Are there exceptions to the remedy?  If so, list and explain.

FALL 2008

    Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court held, in Kennedy v. Louisiana, that the Eighth Amendment bars Louisiana from imposing the death penalty for the rape of a child where the crime did not result, and was not intended to result, in the victim’s death.   Explain the protections of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.  What arguments might the State of Louisiana have used to justify the death penalty for aggravated rape of a child?  What arguments might the defendant in such a case use against the death penalty for aggravated rape of child?  What factors would the Court consider in making such a decision?

Research and Statistics

FALL 1994
     The new federal crime bill has many different aspects. Two of the more popular parts of the bill are the COPS AHEAD and COPS FAST programs. The COPS (Community Oriented Policing Strategy) programs are designed to help agencies hire additional law enforcement officers. The COPS AHEAD program is for policing agencies serving 50,000 or more people and the COPS FAST program is for policing agencies serving less than 50,000 people. These COPS officers must be hired in addition to, and not in lieu of, officers that would otherwise have been hired. The training curricula for these officers must include community policing principles and methods. In addition, to the extent possible, COPS funds are to be used to increase the representation of women and racial and ethnic minorities within the ranks of sworn officers. The crime bill requires that a nationwide research project be completed to determine the effectiveness of the COPS programs.
     It is your task to determine how you believe this research project should be conducted. Remember, you are to research whether or not the COPS programs are effective (do they help to diminish criminal activity, fear of crime, etc). Your research proposal should include the following sections. The questions are asked in each section to help guide you with your response:

1. THE PROBLEM STATEMENT: What problem is being researched? What theory are you researching? What is your hypotheses? How would you conduct a literature review? How would you conceptualize these variables? What is the connection between the literature review and the validity of your research?
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: How will validity and reliability be addressed? What type of research will be used? Why is this the best type of research? What is your population and sample?
3. DATA COLLECTION: What type of instrument will you use to collect your information? How will you operationalize the variables? How will you measure the variables? What are some examples of questions which may be asked for the variables? How will the instrument be administered?
4. DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS: How will the data be manipulated and analyzed? What statistics will be most appropriate? Will computer systems be used and if so, which may be most appropriate? Will the data need to be coded and if so, what type of coding will be used? How will the information be disseminated or published?

SPRING 1995
     You have been appointed to head the West Virginia Statistical Analysis Center. Your appointment necessitates that you receive funding to investigate the effectiveness of residential treatment in reducing juvenile delinquency. To do this you must develop a research design to conduct the study. Being an expert in this field, you should be able to do so with ease.
     To answer the question, state and/or explain the following for your study. How would you do a review of the literature, including where and how you would get source?

What population, sampling technique, sample, sampling frame would you use. To whom would you be able to generalize the results of your research?
Would your research be experimental, quasi-experimental or survey?
What kinds of questions or observations would you use?
Give some sample questions or observational tools. Make sure to include at least one nominal, one ordinal, one interval and one ratio measurement and specify which is which?
What are validity and reliability? How will you try to insure both in your study?
What statistical methods will you use? Why?

FALL 1995
      You have just been selected to head the West Virginia Criminal justice Educator's Association’s research team. You have been asked to determine what criminal justice courses are the best at preparing students for careers in either law enforcement, corrections or courts (you pick one area).
     You have been given a $100,000 budget and told to find out.
     You may choose to set up a quasi-experiment or survey.
     Please tell me how you will do the research. Include as a minimum the following.

Your hypothesis(es).
How you would do your review of the literature.
The population, sample frame(s) and sample.
Will the sample be systematic or random, or a combination?
What are some examples of questions or observations you will make? Be sure to include observations or questions from each of the levels of measurement, identifying the level of each question.
What are some of the problems you may have with control of the quasi-experiment or survey which may give you false findings? How would you control or deal with these problems?
What are some of the statistics you might use for analyses of your data?

SPRING 1996
Situation
      You have just completed your Masters' degree from Marshall and have been hired by the West Virginia Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) to work as a project director for several "small" research projects for the University. One such project involves determining the perceptions of the student body, faculty, and staff of the Marshall University Police Department (MUPD) and their impact on the University. Many changes have occurred within the MUPD over the last five years and the University would like to know if these changes are reflected in performance of the MUPD on campus.
Instructions
      Select one of the two surveys requested by the University (as described below) and describe how you would conduct it. In your description, discuss not only your general approach, but also the specifics required for each particular requirement identified. As part of that description, and if appropriate, please include (but do not necessarily limit it to) such terms/concepts/ procedures as:
experimental vs. quasi-experimental, hypothesis (types), population, significance level, appropriate statistics,
descriptive vs. inferential statistics, longitudinal vs. cross-sectional, sampling, demographic data

The Surveys (select and answer only one)
1. Conduct a survey of the current student population to determine the opinions they have of the MUPD. The University would like to know what students perceive of the MUPD and their performance on campus.
2. Conduct a survey of the faculty and staff with the primary emphasis of trying to determine perceptions of not only the performance of the MUPD, but also if that performance has changed over the last five years.

SUMMER 1996
      You have just been appointed the head of the Sam Dameron Memorial Research Arm of the Marshall University Criminal Justice Department. You will need to be doing some studies for outside agencies to justify your existence and the $60,000 a year salary we have given you because of your research expertise.
The first agency to contact you is the Cabell County Juvenile Referee. He has requested that you do a study to determine whether peer counseling is effective in preventing the reoccurrence of juvenile delinquency. Cabell County Schools, specifically Midland and Huntington High Schools, have agreed to help in the study if you need them.
      Will you do a experimental, quasi-experiment or a survey research? Describe your research methodology and explain why you chose it and what it is supposed to do.

What will your hypotheses be?
How will you do your research of the literature?
Give an example question or measure that you would use for each of the four levels of measurements?
Quantify the above questions.
What statistics would you use to do your comparisons of data, variables. Why?
What is reliability and validity? How would you insure both in your research?

SUMMER 1996
      You have been selected to head the West Virginia Criminal Justice Educator's Association's research team. You have been asked to determine what criminal justice courses in our graduate program would be the most beneficial for adoption be a criminal justice program in your country.
You have been given a $100,000 budget and told to find out.
You may choose to set up a quasi-experiment or survey.
Please tell me how you will do the research. Include as a minimum the following.

Your hypothesis(es).
How you would do your review of the literature.
The population, sample frame(s) and sample.
Whether the sample will be systematic or random, or a combination.
How will your study be conducted, the steps.
What are some example of questions or observations you will make. Be sure to include observations or questions from each of the levels of measurement, identifying what the level of each question.
What are some of the problems you may have with control of the quasi-experiment or survey which may give you false findings? How would you control or deal with these problems?
What are some of the statistics you might use for analysis of your data?

FALL 1996
      You have been selected to head the West Virginia Criminal Justice Educator's Association's research team. You have been asked to determine what criminal justice courses are the best at preparing students for careers in either law enforcement, corrections or courts (you pick one area).
You have been given a $100,000 budget and told to find out.
You may choose to set up a quasi-experiment or survey.
Please tell me how you will do the research. Include as a minimum the following.

Your hypothesis(es).
How you would do your review of the literature.
The population, sample frame(s) and sample.
Will the sample be systematic or random, or a combination.
How will your study be conducted, the steps.
What are some example of questions or observations you will make. Be sure to include observations or questions from each of the levels of measurement, identifying what the level of each question.
What are some of the problems you may have with control of the quasi-experiment or survey which may give you false findings? How would you control or deal with these problems?
What are some of the statistics you might use for analysis of your data?

FALL 1996
Situation
      You have just completed your Masters' degree from Marshall and have been hired by the Marshall University to try to determine if their is a difference in the mind set of the Counseling trained students who work in juvenile facilities verses the Criminal Justice graduates who work their. The argument is that Counseling students are much more inclined to counsel juveniles to solve their own problems while the criminal justice students are more inclined to solve problems for them. Develop a research project to determine whether there is a difference in the approaches of the students. Suggest why there may be a difference and describe how you will test for this difference.
      You may either set up an experiment, quasi-experiment or survey research project to determine the effects of the major on their approach to problem solving.
Instructions
Describe how you would set up your research project, including the steps of the project. In your description, discuss not only your general approach, but also the specifics required for each particular requirement identified. As part of that description, and if appropriate, please include (but do not necessarily limit it to) such terms/concepts/ procedures as:

• experimental vs. quasi-experimental

• literature review

• hypotheses (types)

• variables

• population

• demographics

• significance level

• appropriate statistics

• descriptive vs. inferential statistics

• longitudinal vs. cross-sectional

• sampling

• validity and reliability

FALL 1996
Situation
      You have just completed your Masters' degree from Marshall and have been hired by the Marshall University Office of Public Safety to try to solve some of the problems they are having with their public image. The Department is especially concerned with the effect which their brown uniforms have on the public. The public seems to perceive them as security guards. However, the Bike Patrol, which wears a blue uniform, has a much better perception with the public, which views them favorably and as police officers. What the MU Office of Public Safety wants to know is whether it is the uniform difference or the patrol method that makes the difference. Develop a research project to determine which is the major factor in public perception.
      You may either set up an experiment, quasi-experiment or survey research project to determine the positive effects of the uniform or behavior.
Instructions
Describe how you would set up your research project, including the steps of the project. In your description, discuss not only your general approach, but also the specifics required for each particular requirement identified. As part of that description, and if appropriate, please include (but do not necessarily limit it to) such terms/concepts/ procedures as:

• experimental vs. quasi-experimental

• literature review

• hypotheses (types)

• variables

• population

• demographics

• significance level

• appropriate statistics

• descriptive vs. inferential statistics

• longitudinal vs. cross-sectional

• sampling

• validity and reliability

SPRING 1997
      The implementation of Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-solving (COPPS) is proposed by the federal government as a major change in the nature of policing in the United States. While initial reports from some communities are encouraging, it is essential that systematic, controlled evaluation studies be completed in order to provide sound knowledge about what the actual impact of this strategy is and also an estimate of the cost effectiveness for potential use by key policymakers. The commitment to evaluation of this new form of public policing is related to the growing consensus among the general public that governmental institutions and services must be accountable, especially with respect to effectiveness and efficiency. Your task is to design research methodology for evaluating some aspect of COPPS.
      The prestigious Community Policing consortium, made up of representatives from IACP, NSA, PERF, and the Police Foundation identified three criteria– effectiveness, efficiency and equity– that serve as suitable bases for developing quantitative and qualitative measures of COPPS. One fundamental goal of COPPS is to have a positive impact on reducing neighborhood crime, reducing citizens’ fear of crime and enhancing the quality of life in the community. A basic strategy is to combine the efforts and resources of the police, local government, and the community.

1. Select some aspect of COPPS to evaluate. A first step is to study whether attempts to implement COPPS were successful.
2. Specify the variables you want to study.
3. Select a METHOD. Surveys conducted on a regular basis using principles of randomization are most often utilized.
4. Develop a SURVEY INSTRUMENT. Include at least 4 content areas. Prepare at least 5 items for each content area. Indicate how the survey will be scored.
5. Identify the TARGET POPULATION(S).
6. Describe the SAMPLING PROCEDURE.
7. DESCRIBE THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS. Be specific. For example, if you are assessing attitudes toward COPPS, you may describe percentages of subjects who have favorable, neutral, or unfavorable attitudes. You may want to determine if there are gender differences in attitudes toward COPPS or fear of crime. What statistical significance test(s) would you perform in order to determine if there were gender differences in fear of crime or attitudes toward COPPS?
8. Write a SUMMARY of what you expect to find. Discuss the POLICY IMPLICATIONS of your research.

SPRING 1997
      A major public policy problem is how to identify and control factors that have contributed to the significant increase in violence, especially among teenagers, in the United States. Although different authorities may disagree on details, there is overwhelming evidence that juveniles commit far more violent acts than ever in our nation’s history. The role of the media as a significant contributing factor to the increases in violence is now being studied. Hundreds of studies link exposure to violent acts with increases in violent acts by the observers. Recently, some media organizations agreed to voluntary standards describing the content of their programming. Far more research must be done. Your task is to design a research methodology for evaluating some aspect of the problem of determining what the nature of the relationship is, if any, between media portrayals of violence and increases in violent acts.

1. Select some aspect of the problem to study. For example, the opinions citizens have about media portrayals of violence are very significant. Attempts by legislators to regulate the media will ultimately be determined by the general public.
2. Specify the variables you want to study.
3. Select a METHOD. Surveys conducted on a regular basis using principles of randomization are most often utilized.
4. Develop a SURVEY INSTRUMENT. Include at least 4 content areas. Prepare at least 5 items for each content area. Indicate how the survey will be scored.
5. Identify the TARGET POPULATION(S).
6. Describe the SAMPLING PROCEDURE.
7. DESCRIBE THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS. Be specific. For example, if you are assessing attitudes toward COPPS, you may describe percentages of subjects who have favorable, neutral, or unfavorable attitudes. You may want to determine if there are gender differences in attitudes toward COPPS or fear of crime. What statistical significance test(s) would you perform in order to determine if there were gender differences in fear of crime or attitudes toward COPPS?
8. Write a SUMMARY of what you expect to find. Discuss the POLICY IMPLICATIONS of your research.

SUMMER 1997
      You have been selected to head the West Virginia Criminal Justice Educator's Association's research team. There seems to be a cry in America to lynch Timothy McVeigh. They want him executed immediately to prevent further terrorism, rescue attempts from his confederates or his escape. Or they just want to see him hang.
As you know, the appeals process is slow for capital cases. You have been hired at a salary of $75,000 per year plus benefits to try to determine the different approaches to capital punishment and how people feel toward them. What we want to know is what form of execution people would prefer for those convicted of a capital crime and what method those convicted would prefer be used: How would you, as a researcher, go about finding this our? Include factors which you think would influence their opinions.
You have been given a $100,000 budget and told to find out what form of execution citizens and criminals of capital crimes would
prefer be used?
You may choose to set up a quasi-experiment or survey.
Please tell me how you will do the research. Include as a minimum the following.

• Your hypothesis(es).

• How you would do your review of the literature.

• The population, sample frame(s) and sample.

• Will the sample be systematic or random, or a combination.

• How will your study be conducted, the steps.

• What are some example of questions or observations you will make. Be sure to include observations or questions from each of the levels of measurement, identifying what the level of each question.

• What are some of the problems you may have with control of the quasi-experiment or survey which may give you false findings (confounding variables)? How would you control or deal with these problems?

• What are some of the statistics you might use for analysis of your data?

FALL 1997
      You have been selected to head the West Virginia Criminal justice Educators’ research team. You have been assigned the task to conduct research in the field of domestic violence. Pick an area and decide whether to do an experiment, quasi-experiment or survey.
You have been given a $100,000 budget and told to find out.
You may choose to set up a quasi-experiment or survey.
Please tell me how you will do the research. Include as a minimum the following.

• Your hypothesis(es).

• How you would do your review of the literature.

• The population, sample frame(s) and sample.

• Will the sample be systematic or random, or a combination.

• How will your study be conducted, the steps.

• What are some example of questions or observations you will make. Be sure to include observations or questions from each of the levels of measurement, identifying what the level of each question.

• What are some of the problems you may have with control of the quasi-experiment or survey which may give you false findings (confounding variables)? How would you control or deal with these problems?

• What are some of the statistics you might use for analysis of your data?

SPRING 1998
      Among the most important problems facing correctional administrators and planners is how to respond humanely to women who are incarcerated in our nation’s prisons. However, before changes in policy and practice may reasonably be expected to occur, it is essential that sound knowledge about women in prison be collected, analyzed, and interpreted properly.
      Design a study which will provide the kind of information which could be utilized for making changes, where necessary, in the circumstances of women who are incarcerated in prisons in the United States.
In your study, consider the following:

1) There may be differences between women inmates incarcerated in federal vs. state prisons. Your study should collect samples from both kinds of facilities and then make comparisons.
2) Recent studies indicate that many women sentenced to prison have some involvement in drug use or drug trafficking. It is reasonable to consider whether inmates who are drug-related are the same as inmates who are not. Be sure to design your study so that you may compare each category of inmate.
3) Construct a survey instrument. Select four different content areas you believe should be included in this important research. Write five items for each of the content areas.
4) Discuss the sampling procedure. That is, what groups will you study? How will you gain access to the women inmates?
5) Describe the statistical analyses.
6) Briefly discuss some of the potential policy implications of the study.

FALL 1998
      A major change in the nature of public policing is presently being implemented in many communities around the United States. Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving (COPPS) attempts to combine the talents and resources of citizens in the community with police and local governments in a joint enterprise aimed at improving everyone’s quality of life. Initial reports from some communities about the success of COPPS are very encouraging. However, it is essential that systematic controlled evaluation studies be completed in order to provide sound knowledge about what the impact of this strategy actually is. In addition, a sound estimate of cost effectiveness will also be very useful to policymakers.
The commitment to evaluation of this new form of public policing is part of a growing consensus among the general public that governmental institutions and services must be accountable, especially with respect to effectiveness and efficiency. Your task is to design research methodology for evaluating COPPS.
Three evaluative criteria, effectiveness, efficiency, and equity, which could be used for developing qualitative and quantitative measures of COPPS were identified by the prestigious Community Policing Consortium (CPC). The CPA is made up of representatives from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Police Executive Research Foundation, and the Police Foundation. The three fundamental goals of COPPS are to enhance the quality of life in the community, reduce neighborhood crime, and reduce citizens’ fear of crime.

1. Select some aspect of COPPS to evaluate. A first step is to study whether attempts to implement COPPS were successful.
2. Specify the variables you want to study.
3. Select a METHOD. Surveys conducted on a regular basis using principles of randomization are most often utilized.
4. Develop a SURVEY INSTRUMENT. Include at least four content areas. Prepare at least five items for each content area. Indicate how the survey will be scored.
5. Identify the TARGET POPULATION(S).
6. Describe the SAMPLING PROCEDURE
7. DESCRIBE THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS. Be specific. For Example, if you are assessing attitudes toward COPPS, you may want to determine if there are gender differences in attitudes toward COPPS or fear of crime. What statistical significance test(s) would you perform in order to determine if there were gender differences in fear of crime or attitudes toward COPPS?
8. Write a SUMMARY of what you expect to find. Discuss the POLICY IMPLICATIONS of your research.

SPRING 1999
1.Evaluation Research has played a significant role in Criminal Justice. Discuss Evaluation Research. In your answer, be sure to define Evaluation Research, discuss the five major types of evaluation research and give examples of each, and briefly describe the contribution of Evaluation Research to Criminal Justice.
2. Statistical decision-making is a vital component of research in Criminal Justice. Begin with the “Logic of Truth” and discuss statistical decision-making. In your answer be sure to consider Type I and Type II errors, True and False positives and negatives, and recent developments concerning power.
3. Ethical standards and practices. In your answer be sure to identify at least five major principles and discuss their significance. What is the cost-benefit analysis and how is it often conducted?

SUMMER 1999
Part I: Advanced Statistics
      Research studies in Criminal Justice are conducted in order to determine the nature of the relationship(s), if any, between two or more variables. The most essential requirement is that the researcher utilize reliable and valid measures of variables to that proper statistical analysis may be performed. The most fundamental requirement for statistical analysis is the capacity to assess individual differences among the measures (scores) obtained from different units of analysis under varying conditions in the research.
      The Deviation Score is the fundamental concept upon which many statistical analyses of individual differences in social science research are based, Begin by defining deviation score then discuss the various statistics, statistical significance tests, mathematical probability models, and research designs that are derived from the fundamental concept, the deviation score. In your answer be sure to include the variance, standard deviation, z-score, Pearson’s Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation, t-test, normal distribution, Chi-Square distribution, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
 

Part II: Research Methods
      The research methodology most widely utilized in Criminal Justice is probably Evaluative Research. Discuss Evaluation Research. In your answer begin by defining Evaluative Research then briefly review the historical roots of evaluative research in the United States. Us the classic work of Dr. Edwin Suchman to provide an overview of the essential steps in the process of evaluation. Be sure to discuss Summative, Formative, Outcome, and Process evaluations. Finally, discuss the five major categories or types of Evaluation, e.g. Effort-expended, Effectiveness (Performance), Adequacy of Performance, Efficiency, and Process.

SUMMER 1999
      A major public policy problem is how to identify and control factors that have contributed to the significant increase in violence, especially among teenagers, in the United States. Although different authorities may disagree on details, there is overwhelming evidence that juveniles commit far more violent acts than ever in our nation’s history AND the violent acts cause more harm to others than ever in our nation’s history. The role of the media as a significant contributing factor to the increases in violence is now being studied. Hundreds of studies link exposure to violent acts with increases in violent acts by the observers. Recently, some media organizations agreed to voluntary standards describing the content of their programming. Far more research must be done. Your task is to design a research methodology for evaluating some aspect of the problem of determining what the nature of the relationship is, if any, between media portrayals of violence and increases in violent acts.

1. Select some aspect of the problem to study. For example, the opinions citizens have about media portrayals of violence are very significant. Attempts by legislators to regulate the media will ultimately be determined by the general public.
2. Specify the variables you want to study.
3. Select a METHOD. Surveys conducted on a regular basis using principles of randomization are most often utilized.
4. Develop a SURVEY INSTRUMENT. Include at least four content areas. Prepare at least five items for each content area. Indicate how the survey will be scored..
5. Identify the TARGET POPULATION(S).
6. Describe the SAMPLING PROCEDURE.
7. DESCRIBE THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS. Be specific. For example, if you are assessing attitudes toward media portrayals of violence, you may describe percentages of subjects who have favorable, neutral, or unfavorable attitudes. You may want to determine if there are gender differences in opinions. What statistical significance test(s) would you perform in order to determine if there were gender differences?
8. Write a SUMMARY of what you expect to find. Discuss the POLICY IMPLICATIONS of your research.

FALL 1999
      The major subject of criminal justice, in the media lately, is workplace violence (typically murder, mass murder and then suicide). As a Master of Criminal Justice, you should be able to research these phenomena.

1. You can select public opinions or prevention strategies for these phenomena, police attitudes or responses, security aspects, or even media attitudes or practices.
2. Specify the variables you want to study. Specify the independent variable(s) and the dependent variable(s). State at least one hypothesis using two of these.
3. Select a METHOD. I recommend one involving a survey instrument..
4. Develop a SURVEY INSTRUMENT. Include at least three content areas for the survey instrument. Prepare at least three items for each content area. In these questions be sure to include at least one question from each of the levels of measure and identify them as such. Indicate how the survey will be scored.
5. Identify the TARGET POPULATION(S).
6. Describe the SAMPLING PROCEDURE.
7. DESCRIBE THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS. Be specific. Include the measures of central tendency you would use for at least three questions. Also, explain the statistical test(s) you would use to test the hypothesis you stated. Include two other statistical tests you might use in your data testing.

FALL 2000
      Due to the increased publicity concerning “Hate Crimes” you have been retained by the West Virginia State Legislature to research the issue and determine what response, if any, should be forthcoming from the State concerning this matter. At issue is how pervasive are hate crimes in the state, how should they be defined, reported, and tracked. Does the State need to create separate legislation to deal with this problem or will current statutes suffice?
[1] Please state your research hypothesis(es) and the null(s). [2] Specify the research population you intend to sample and the method you intend to use to collect your data. [3] What level data do you expect to collect and what is/are the most appropriate statistical analysis(es) available to examine your data? [4] What types of errors are associated with the method you have chosen for collecting your data and what types of errors are associated with the method(s) of statistical analysis(es) you have chosen? [5] Why is the method you have chosen to collect your data superior to other methods and defend the particular type(s) of statistical analysis(es) you have selected to analyze your data? [6] What does the term significance refer to and how is this term relevant to your study?

FALL 2001
      Due to the increased publicity concerning “Gray Machines” you have been retained by the West Virginia State Legislature to research the issue and determine what response, if any, should be forthcoming from the State concerning this illegal form of gambling. At issue are the following concerns: (1) how pervasive are these “machines”?, (2) should they be legalized, regulated, and taxed? (3) how would this action impact the State lottery system?

[1] Please state your research hypothesis(es) and the null(s).
[2] Specify the research population you intend to sample and the method you intend to use to collect your data.
[3] What level data do you expect to collect and what is/are the most appropriate statistical analysis(es) available to examine your data?
[4] What types of errors are associated with the method you have chosen for collecting your data and what types of errors are associated with the method(s) of statistical analysis(es) you have chosen?
[5] Why is the method you have chosen to collect your data superior to other methods and defend the particular type(s) of statistical analysis(es) you have selected to analyze your data?
[6] What does the term significance refer to and how is this term relevant to your study?

FALL 2003
      Please design a study which researches the following question:  College educated female law enforcement officers are better communicators and thus are less likely to be involved in violent confrontations with suspects than their male counterparts.  Explain the type of study you propose to conduct, list the strengths and weaknesses of the particular design.  Be sure to describe the particular population you are studying and any problems associated with population selection.  Formulate a hypothesis, state the null as well, and list the possibility of a Type I or Type II error (defining the terms).  Please include the appropriate statistical operation and explain your choice of this particular method.

FALL 2005

    Some social scientists contend that a person’s choice of a pet can be a reflection of his/her own inner personality.  Recently, there has been a significant amount of coverage in the local media regarding violence by the dog breed known as “pit bulls.”  If the above assumption is correct that pets have a similar disposition to their owners, it would follow that pit bull owners are also violent individuals, and thus may engage in acts of violence that may not be found among other dog breed owners.

    Design a QUANTITATIVE survey based study to test this link. The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.

A.    Research Question

a)      Provide a statement of your research question

b)      State the hypothesis to be tested

c)      List the conceptual definitions of the key variables

d)     Clearly identify your independent and dependent variables, as well as the level of measurement for each

B.     Sampling Design

a)      Identify the population, sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique.

C.     Data collection technique(s)

a)      Describe the instrument to be used

b)      Provide operational definitions of the key variables

D.    Measurement Quality

a)      Describe the reliability and validity of the measures

E.     Analysis Plan

a)      Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?

SPRING 2006

    Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on New Orleans. As a result there was an aura of lawlessness that plagued the city. While the New Orleans Police Department was responsible for keeping peace and order, their responsibilities became somewhat overwhelming and took its toll on the officers. Design a study to test the effects of the aftermath of Katrina on the police officers of New Orleans.

    The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.

A.     Research Question

a)      Provide a statement of your research question

b)      State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested

c)      List the conceptual definitions of the key variables as well as identify the level of measurement for each (if your research purpose is explanatory, make sure to clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)

B.     Sampling Design

a)      Identify the population, sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique.

C.     Data collection technique(s)

a)      Describe the instrument to be used

b)      Provide operational definitions of the key variables

D.     Measurement Quality

a)      Describe the reliability and validity of the measures

E.      Analysis Plan

a)      Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?

SPRING 2007

    In the post 9/11 era, the United States government has taken several steps to ensure community interests over that of individual rights. One such step was the passage of the Patriot Act, which in part allows agents of the government (e.g., law enforcement) to suspend certain individual rights in the interests of protecting society from terrorism. The issue of the Patriot Act, and other similar legislation, is often divided along ideological lines (i.e., liberal politicians oppose such legislation and conservative politicians support such legislation). This being the case, one would expect to find the same relationship among the U.S. population. Your task is to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.  

    The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.

A.     Research Question

a)      Provide a statement of your research question

b)      State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested

c)      List the conceptual definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)

B.     Sampling Design

a)      Identify the population, sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique.

C.     Data Collection Technique(s)

a)      Describe the instrument to be used

b)      Provide operational definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of measurement)

D.     Human Subject Protections

a)      Identify any issues related to the use of human subjects/respondents

E.      Measurement Quality

a)      Describe the reliability and validity of the measures

F.      Analysis Plan

a)      Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?

FALL 2007

    The cycle of violence theory proposes that individuals who experience violence in their own pasts (e.g., domestic abuse, sexual abuse, history of family violence, etc.) may be likely to repeat a pattern of abuse in the form of domestic violence. Your task is to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship. 

    The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.

A.     Research Question

a)      Provide a statement of your research question

b)      State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested

c)      List the conceptual definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)

B.     Sampling Design

a)      Identify the population, sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique.

C.     Data Collection Technique(s)

a)      Describe the instrument to be used

b)      Provide operational definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of measurement)

D.     Human Subject Protections

a)      Identify any issues related to the use of human subjects/respondents

E.      Measurement Quality

a)      Describe the reliability and validity of the measures

F.      Analysis Plan

a)      Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?

SPRING 2008

    The “get tough” laws of the 1970s and ‘80s included lengthier sentences that deemphasized rehabilitative goals in the pursuit of retributive punishment. As a result, billions of dollars were spent on building prisons. More prisons meant we could lock up more people. However, today, about 700,000 of these inmates are being released annually from state and federal prisons. Concurrently, a change in attitude about incarceration has taken place. Greater focus has been placed on “re-entry” programs to assist inmates in transitioning back into the community and more importantly to reduce recidivism.

    In pursuit of this goal, West Virginia has designed the West Virginia Offender Reentry Initiative (WVORI) to provide a continuum of reentry services to offenders as they transition from prison to the community. The key assumption here is that successful reintegration will reduce recidivism. Your task is to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.

    The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.

A.     Research Question

a)      Provide a statement of your research question

b)      State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested

c)      List the conceptual definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)

B.     Sampling Design

a)      Identify the population, sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique.

C.     Data Collection Technique(s)

a)      Describe the instrument to be used

b)      Provide operational definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of measurement)

D.     Human Subject Protections

a)      Identify any issues related to the use of human subjects/respondents

E.      Measurement Quality

a)      Describe the reliability and validity of the measures

F.      Analysis Plan

a)      Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?

FALL 2008

    At one time or another, crime will touch most Americans or affect the lives of their relatives, friends, and acquaintances.  What people do, where they go, and who they associate with can affect their likelihood of victimization (similar to the ideas expressed in routine activities and lifestyles theories). With the growing university student populations over the last few decades, campus criminal victimization has become a greater concern for university administrators and campus security. Your task is to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.

    The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.

A.     Research Question/Purpose

a)      Provide a statement of your research question or purpose

b)      State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested

c)      List the conceptual definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)

B.     Sampling Design

a)      Identify the population, sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique to be used

C.     Data Collection Technique(s)

a)      Describe the instrument to be used

b)      Provide operational definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of measurement)

D.     Human Subject Protections

a)      Identify any issues related to the use of human subjects/respondents

E.      Measurement Quality

a)      Describe the reliability and validity of the measures

F.      Analysis Plan

a)      Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?

Planning

FALL 1994
      The new federal crime bill has many aspects. One of the segments included (to make President Clinton happy) is an aspect dealing with service learning (volunteering in the community). The service learning programs are to encourage children and adults to volunteer in their local communities to help to eliminate community problems. These crime bill monies will be funneled through the Corporation for National Service. Any government or non-profit agency may apply for funding. The criminal justice volunteer programs are to center on the main issues of public safety. This includes:
A. Crime control and responses which will improve criminal justice services, law enforcement, and victim services.
B. Crime prevention which will reduce the incidence of violence.
Develop an idea for your agency (or a make believe agency) to apply for funds to use volunteers to help with crime control or crime prevention in your community. Then develop an outline of what needs to be included and what you would do to write each segment of the grant narrative and application. The narrative and application requires the following:

1. Summary

2. Introduction

3. Problem Statement or Needs Assessment

4. Objectives

5. Methods
6. Evaluation

7. Future or Other Necessary Funding

8. Budget

SPRING 1995
      You have been appointed to head the West Virginia Statistical Analysis Center. Your appointment necessitates that you receive funding to attack the most pressing problem in criminal justice (other than the problem in the theory question). What is the most pressing problem? Why? Choose an agency or foundation which might fund work in this area and write a grant to secure funding. Be sure to include the following areas in your grant for the Statistical Analysis Center.
How would you go about finding funding?

Statement of Purpose
Statement of the Problem or Statement of Need
Objectives
Methods for your project
How you will evaluate your project
Future Funding
Budget Areas (Budget areas and features)

SUMMER 1995
      You have been appointed the head of the Marshall University Criminal Justice Department's Research Center. Your first assignment is to prepare a grant application to find out the criminogenic affect of stopping the issue of concealed weapons permits in West Virginia.
      What foundation or governmental agency would you approach for funding? Why would they give it to you? Would they have a perspective they would expect you to support?
Be sure to include the following areas in your grant application. Briefly describe what you would put in each section, and/or give an example(s).

Statement of Purpose
Statement of the Problem or Statement of Need
Objectives
Methods for your project
How you will evaluate your project
Future Funding
Budget Areas (Budget areas and features)

FALL 1995
      Jean Dean, Mayor of Huntington, has just hired you as Chief Planner for the Police Department. In addition to your plush office, city car, a badge, a gun and an $80,000 salary, you have received the task of solving the juvenile violence problem in Huntington. As you know, Huntington has experienced some bad press concerning the shooting of a convenience store clerk by three juveniles and some other incidents involving juveniles.
Please provide a plan for the Mayor to aid in solving this problem of juvenile violence. Your plan should follow a grant format so that it could be funded.
In your plan, you should include:

Three suggestions for combating this problem.
Three sources, places, where you might look for funding.
The purpose of the grant.
The needs assessment or statement of the problem.
The methods/procedures.
Evaluation Component.
A budget (what you think you will need).
Gantt Chart

SPRING 1996
      As a contracted consultant to Marshall University’s Department of Criminal Justice, you have the responsibility of writing a grant to establish a Domestic Violence Unit within the Huntington Police Department.
In the plan you should include:
*Three reasons why the program is needed.
Be sure to include all sections of the grant application in your response. In your grant application or supporting material, you should include:

*Three places or resources where you would look for funding
*The purpose of the grant
*A needs assessment and statement of need
*The methods/procedures
*An evaluation component
*Dissemination
*Budget
*Gantt Chart

Please be prompt in responding to the problem, as the Department would like to implement the changes quickly.

SUMMER 1996
      In light of the ever increasing interest in Islamic justice, and as a representative of the Criminal Justice Department, you have just been selected to serve as the grant writer for the Criminal Justice Department’s International Study of Justice in Islamic Countries Research Project. This position carries much prestige and, of course, a nice salary of $50,000. Discuss the following aspects of a grant proposal and list what items you would include in each of the sections.

1. Where would you look to determine what funding may be available in the area of international criminal justice studies.
2. What would you include in each of the following sections of the grant.

A. The Purpose (Mission, Goals, and Objectives)
B. The Statement of Need (Needs Assessment or Problem Statement)
C. The Procedures (Methods or Program)
D. The Evaluation (Results and Benefits)
E. The Budget (to include Future Funding)
F. Qualification of the Organization

Fall 1996
      Due to the untimely leaving of one of the Sheriff, Court Administrator, or Chief Probation Officer of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, Cabell County Circuit Court or the Cabell County Probation Office, you have been hired to get a grant and research or implement one of the three following areas in Cabell County (choose one): Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, or Home Confinement.
      Explain what aspects of the program you will study or implement.
Where will you seek funding, list several possible sources and how you would find them.
What information will you place in the following sections of your grant application. Specifically relate them to your grant topic.

Introduction
Summary or Abstract
Statement of Need (Needs Assessment) or Problem Statement
Objectives
(Be specific in your objectives for this study, you may
leave out tasks.)
Methods (Include a brief example of a GANTT Chart for your
project)
Evaluation (How will your project be evaluated?)
Future or Other Necessary Funding (What you need, types you will need, and how you will get them).
Budget (Include the various areas of a budget.)
Appendices (What things may be found here?)

SPRING 1997
      The new federal law PUBLIC LAW 104-208, Section 658. GUN BAN FOR INDIVIDUALS CONVICTED OF A MISDEMEANOR CRIME OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is now law. The bill bans anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor “which has as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent or guardian, or be a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian” shall not be allowed to possess or own firearms. In short, if convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor, a person may not own or possess firearms any longer..
      These crime bill should generate monies for research. Any government or non-profit agency should be able to apply for the funds. The funds should be designed to assist in the implementation of the new law or for research into the impact of the new law. You may choose impact or research.
Develop an idea for your agency (or a make believe agency).
Then develop an outline of what needs to be included and what you would do to write each segment of the grant narrative and application. The narrative and application requires the following:

1. Summary
2. Introduction
3. Problem Statement or Needs Assessment
4. Objectives
5. Methods
6. Evaluation
7. Future or Other Necessary Funding
8. Budget

Include reasonable detail in the sections.

SUMMER 1997
      You have been appointed the training officer for the Ohio State Juvenile Center, a new center which will house 500 troubled youths in cottages which house 20 students each. One small section of the facility will house youth who pose a risk threat in three cottages and will have chain link fence around it. The rest of the facility has no fences. There is also an administration building, class buildings, a recreation building, etc. As the training officer, you are supposed to develop a new program for passive restraint to be used in the facility. It will be a pilot program to be used in other facilities as will after it is proven.
      The federal government, in the newly passed “Passive Restraint Bill,” has set aside money for just such a program. You can apply for from $20,000 to $200,000 at your discretion. The grants are open to any non-profit or government agency. You apply to the passive Restraint Commission, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
     Develop an idea for your agency (or a make believe agency).
Then develop an outline of what needs to be included and what you would do to write each segment of the grant narrative and application. The narrative and application requires the following:

1. Summary
2. Introduction
3. Problem Statement or Needs Assessment
4. Objectives
5. Methods
6. Evaluation
7. Future or Other Necessary Funding
8. Budget

Give reasonable detail in the sections about what you would have in each section.

FALL 1997
      The County Commission of Cabell County has just hired you as Chief Planner for the newly formed Office of Juvenile Delinquency Services. In addition to your plush office, city car, and an $80,000 salary, you have received the task of solving the juvenile violence problem in Huntington. As you know, Huntington has experienced some bad press concerning juvenile violence and what to do with these offenders.
Please provide a plan for the commission to aid in solving this problem of juvenile violence. Your plan should follow a grant format so that it could be funded.
In your plan, you should include:

Three suggestions for combating this problem.
Three sources, places, where you might look for funding.
The purpose of the grant.
The needs assessment or statement of the problem.
The methods/procedures.
Evaluation Component.
A budget (what you think you will need).
Gantt Chart

Spring 1998
      As a contracted consultant for the West Virginia Youth Services Bureau (a new state agency to deal with juvenile violence). Your responsibility is to determine the availability of firearms and other lethal weapons to juveniles between the ages of nine and 17 or to set up a program to reduce the availability of firearms and other lethal weapons to juveniles between the ages of nine and 17 (you may do either).
Please provide the Bureau with a plan to determine or reduce the availability of weapons for juveniles. Your plan should follow a grant format so that it may be easily converted to a funding application.
In your plan you should include the major features of each of the sections below and what they would contain as it relates to your proposed grant.

-Three places or resources where you would look for funding.
PROPOSAL
-Abstract (Summary)
-The purpose of the grant
-A needs assessment and/or statement of need
-The methods/procedures
-An evaluation component
-Qualifications
-A budget
-A Gantt chart
-Dissemination

Please be prompt in responding to the program, as the Bureau would like to implement the changes quickly.

Fall 1998
      J. Wade Gilley has hired you to be the new grant writer for the Gilley Institute of Future Service/Criminal Justice Center. In addition to your plush office, car, and a $40,000 salary, you have received the task of increasing the amount of grant funding for the department. President Gilley had decided that the department should begin with research grants. You, therefore, need to develop a grant to conduct a research study of some kind. The topic area is open to your expertise.
      Please provide a plan for the research project. Your plan should follow a grant format so that it could be funded
In your plan, you should include:

✏ A brief description of the target for your research.
✏ Three places or resources where you would look for funding.
PROPOSAL
✏ Abstract (Summary)
✏ The purpose of the grant
✏ A needs assessment and/or statement of need
✏ The methods/procedures
✏ An evaluation component
✏ Qualifications
✏ A budget
✏ A Gantt chart
✏ Dissemination and qualifications

Since Dr. Gilley wants this ASAP, this may be a rough sketch of what you plan.

Spring 1999
      As a Master of Criminal Justice, you will be called upon, sooner or later, to develop a grant application. Since this will happen, we ask that you demonstrate your competence to do so here. Select one of the following topics, your choice entirely. Then develop an outline of what needs to be included and what you would do to write each segment of the grant narrative and application. The narrative and application require the following:
Where could you apply for funds?

✏ A brief description of the target for your research.
✏ Three places or resources where you would look for funding.
PROPOSAL
✏ Abstract (Summary)
✏ Purpose (Introduction)
✏ Statement of Need, Problem Statement or Needs Assessment
✏ Procedures (Objectives)
✏ Evaluation
✏ Dissemination
✏ Qualifications
✏ Budget

Include reasonable detail in the sections.
 

You may develop an idea for your agency (or make believe agency you construct)
 

Law Enforcement- With the advent of computers which are adaptable to patrol units, the police should be able to do a lot of investigation and Computer Aided Dispatch. To Do this, however, departments will need to seek outside funding to implement computers into patrol units, detectives’ investigation and the department’s public relations through the Internet. Develop a grant application for funds to implement computers and develop computer expertise within your agency.
 

Corrections- In corrections, the move is toward security. The use of retina scanners for identification and computers to record prisoners’ access to areas of the prison. Develop a grant application for funds to implement the use of computers for prisoner identification and tracking and the development of expertise to use the identification and tracking system.
Courts
 

Courts- the use of computers is being implemented to keep track of case scheduling and disposition. The judges and prosecuting attorneys are using them to keep track of questions, legal cases, precedents, and to do on-line and computer aided case research, etc. Since, as always, the private sector is ahead of the game, you need to write a grant, as the Court Administrator, to obtain funds for computers for the judges, prosecuting attorneys, and clerks. The grant application should include funds for computer purchase and application training.

Summer 1999
      You are the head of the Legislative Committee to Determine Criminal Court Usage in West Virginia. What the Committee wants to know is how are the courts being utilized, in other words, how many and what kind of cases are the different courts throughout the state hearing–do we need less or more judges, probation officers, bailiffs and/or courtrooms in the state. As the head researcher, they want you to write a grant to the Department of Justice for funds to conduct such research.
      Briefly list the kind of information (outline) you would include for any grant in each of the sections below (major things), except the procedures section. In that section be detailed about your procedures for this grant. Be sure to include a Gantt Chart for your Objectives.
      You may choose to study the need for courtrooms, bailiffs, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys or probation officers. You also may choose to determine if you need more police officers to make arrests to increase the number of cases or not. You may use surveys to gather your information. The information can be qualitative or quantitative or a combination of both.
Outline Content for:

Summary (Abstract)
Purpose (Introduction)
Statement of Need
Procedures (Detailed)
Evaluation
Dissemination
Qualifications
Budget

FALL 1999
      You are one of the Researchers for the Criminal Justice Research Center at Marshall University: either the Robert E. Grubb Police Institute, the Margaret Phipps Brown Legal Institute, Richard H. Moore Corrections Institute or the Samuel L. Dameron Security Institute. You have been asked to apply for a grant to determine, public or agency personnel attitudes toward the criminal justice system’s functioning in these areas in West Virginia.
Briefly list the kind of information (outline) you would include for any grant in each of the sections below (major things), except the procedures section. In the Procedures section be detailed about your procedures for this grant. Be sure to include a Gantt Chart for your Objectives.
The information can be qualitative or quantitative or a combination of both.

Outline Content for:
Summary (Abstract)
Purpose (Introduction)
Statement of Need
Procedures (Detailed)
Evaluation
Dissemination
Qualifications
Budget

FALL 2000
      The Nick J. Rahall Appalachian Transportation Institute was established to study transportation safety in the state of West Virginia after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. The Institute was awarded twelve million dollars by the federal government to spur technology, research, and education in the area of transportation safety. As a professor at Marshall University the opportunity to secure funding for a grant is intriguing and career enhancing, so you decide to pursue this project.
      Since Criminal Justice is your area of expertise, you have selected transportation security as the topic for your proposal. Select a mode of transportation and construct a Research Funded Proposal (RFP). Be sure to include the following elements:

(1) Introduction

(2) Summary of Abstract

(3) Needs Assessment or Problem Statement

(4) Goal(s) and Objective(s)

(5) Evaluation

(6) Budget

(7) Future Areas of Study

(8) Future Sources For Additional Funding.

FALL 2005

    As the newest member of your agency the Director has assigned you the task of seeking external funding.  Please explain how you would initiate this process and then complete the following steps in preparing a Grant Application.  Provide a brief cover letter, a mission statement, two goals and the supporting objectives as well as a budget summary.  In conclusion prepare a Gantt chart to visually demonstrate your timeline and describe an appropriate method of evaluating your proposal.

SPRING 2006

    You have been hired by the Greater New Orleans Criminal Justice Planning agency to develop a program to help strengthen bonds in the community and with the criminal justice system which were severely lessened by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. The agency is pretty flexible in which area for which you can apply for a grant—law enforcement, courts, or community corrections.  However, your grant application should be for funds to establish a program for the Greater New Orleans area.  The Planning agency wants the grant to be for $500,000 to $1,000,000 if possible.

    Then develop an outline of what needs to be included in each segment of the grant.  Also, flesh out the section on the Problem/Needs Assessment to be more grant specific.  Remember to include a budget with the major budgetary areas and a Gantt chart for completion of the project.  The narrative and application requires the following:

1. Summary
2. Introduction
3. Problem Statement or Needs Assessment
4. Objectives
5. Methods
6. Evaluation
7. Future or Other Necessary Funding
8. Budget

SPRING 2007

    As a new master in Criminal Justice, the Governor has asked you to develop a new program designed to address drug related crime in West Virginia.  Since you recall your Planning Class in Criminal Justice, you are well prepared to design such a plan.  Your plan should outline your ideas in the following stages:

• Analyze the problem

• Set goals and objectives

• Design the program

• Develop an action plan

• Develop a plan for monitoring program implementation

• Develop a plan for evaluating outcomes

• Initiate the program design

Recall that these are the stages contained in your Welsh and Harris textbook in Planning and address each stage as the text suggests.

FALL 2007

    You have been appointed Commissioner of the Division of Corrections by the Governor of West Virginia.  As Commissioner, your first priority is to decrease prison overcrowding.  Describe one program you would select to accomplish this purpose.  In your description, please be sure you provide the following information:

·        A description of the project you have selected, specifically addressing how your project will accomplish your purpose (reducing prison population)

·        Goals and objectives for your project

·        Stakeholders who must be involved in developing this program

·        A list of key personnel, including job descriptions

·        A timeline for the project

·        Where you will look for sources of funding for this project

·        A budget summary

·        Evaluation plan

SPRING 2008

    As the newly appointed Funding Assistant to the Governor of West Virginia, you have been asked to create a plan for a Victim’s Assistance Academy for the State.  An operating budget of $200,000 has been allocated for the first year of operation of the Academy.  It is not anticipated that victim service providers will actually attend the Academy until the second year of operation.  Your job is to create an effective statewide program that is responsive to the needs of crime victims.  As part of your planning, you will want to provide the following information:

·        A description of the project you have selected, specifically addressing how your project will accomplish your purpose (serving crime victims)

·        Goals and objectives for your project

·        Stakeholders who must be involved in developing this program

·        A list of key personnel, including job descriptions

·        A timeline for the project

·        Where you will look for sources of funding for this project

·        A budget summary

·        Evaluation plan

Since the governor is a busy person, you will want to provide this information with an executive summary and in outline form.

FALL 2008

    You have been assigned the task of developing a comprehensive program to address Violence Against Women in your community, Dameronville. For this task, $100,000 has been allocated to you by Dameronville.  In a time of dwindling resources, it is necessary to “think outside the box” and identify underutilized resources and alternative funding sources for your project.  Please read the following questions carefully and respond to them.

1.      Who will your program serve?

2.      What services will be provided?

3.      Who will provide the services?

4.      Where will your program be located?

5.      Who will you need to hire?

6.      What positions will hired personnel fill?  (i.e., please provide a brief job description for each position)

7.      How will your program be funded?  Please provide concrete examples of where you will look for funding.

8.      What will your budget include?  Please provide a brief listing of budget categories and anticipated expenses for your program.  If you anticipate additional funds beyond the initial allocation, please specify the source(s) of those funds.

If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Director at crewsg@marshall.edu