Objective: Students are to locate, download, and summarize six peer-reviewed journal articles based on one topic (Gangs). This should be one of the three topics from Writing Assignment 2. Four of t

Objective: Students are to locate, download, and summarize six peer-reviewed journal articles based on one topic (Gangs). This should be one of the three topics from Writing Assignment 2. Four of these articles must be empirical, one must be a review, and one must be a position. Each summary is at least one page long. Minimum page length: six pages or at least one page per summary. Feel free to write more. Include a bibliography page in APA format in addition to writing at least six pages.

Topic: Gangs

Empirical articles – When the author(s) of the paper produce an original analysis and discussion of a particular topic or data set. For instance, a researcher is interested in the extent that gang members experience violence and interviews 60 of them throughout Los Angeles and reports on her findings. Empirical articles may also analyze the extent an intervention is effective (e.g. studies examining ‘what we do’ about crime in general or certain crimes), or how many minorities are incarcerated on drug charges compared to whites (e.g. studies examining conviction rates). This is the most common type of article that students will be expected to obtain.

Review articles – When the author(s) of the paper examine previously published data. Here, they might summarize other researchers’ findings and offer recommendations. The point here is that the authors do not collect original data or conduct any original analysis, but rather ‘review’ what other researchers produced. The key word here is ‘original analysis.’ If the authors of a paper use another data set (i.e. one they did not collect), but then produce their own analysis of that data, that would be an empirical article.

Position articles – When the author(s) of the paper state their opinion about a certain topic. Often these topics are related to policies (e.g. what is the most effective way to tackle gangs?). These papers are normally short 5-10 pages and appear towards the beginning of the journal. The journals Criminology and Public Policy and Criminal Justice Policy Review have many of these types of articles.

How to spot the difference? In most cases, the name of the article or the abstract gives away the type of article. If the title, for instance, says something like ‘A partial test of social learning theory towards explaining gang delinquency’, then this is a strong clue that the article is an empirical one. What gives it away here is the idea that the author(s) are testing a particular theory. If the title of the paper does not reveal anything, go to the abstract. Here, if you see numbers, the likelihood is that the article is an empirical one. These numbers likely represent people or locations (or gangs) that are part of the data. Look also for phrases like ‘we tested’ or 2‘we examined the extent that [x] could be explained by [y]’. Those are also likely empirical articles. If the abstract has the phrases ‘we review previous studies’ and the like, then it is probably a review article.

Not all articles are peer-reviewed. This means that what the authors say and how they collect data have not been verified by a panel of other experts and professionals. Generally speaking, students want to avoid these types of articles. A major reason is that such information might not be true. Articles published on websites can be particularly troubling as anyone can essentially say anything – regardless of how true or current the information might be. Websites with the word ‘wiki’ in their name (as in Wikipedia) have been proven to supply false information (There was an empirical study done on this. You can look it up!). Again, avoid using such information when constructing your work (e.g. papers, reflection exercises, projects, writing assignments, posters, presentation

Objective: Students are to locate, download, and summarize six peer-reviewed journal articles based on one topic (Gangs). This should be one of the three topics from Writing Assignment 2. Four of t
Bill Sanders, Fall 2020, CRIM 3010, Writing Assignment 3 Newcomb, Galaif, and Carmona (2001) examined the drug-crime nexus among a sample of adults in the community. The authors acknowledged the direct relationship between drug use and criminality, but noted the lack of clarity of how these two things were related among the general population. They also noted that little attention had been given to considerations such as social support and social conformity in relation to drugs and crime. The authors sought to expand the research literature by conducting a longitudinal study that would examine sex differences between drug use and crime, as well as stability and change shaped the relationship (if) between the two. Data were collected among a sample of 470 adults who had been participating in a study on drug use and development since adolescents. Participants completed questionnaires that were mailed to them. Participants were originally recruited into the longitudinal study when they were in middle school within Los Angeles County. Data presented were collected in 1992 when the participants were between the ages of 28 and 32. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The authors reported that in adulthood drug problems were linked with a lifestyle of criminality, including drug-related crimes, a disregard of societal norms, and an overall lack of social support for such problems. This paralleled previous findings. The author found support for impaired-functioning theory, which indicates that drug problems lead to both criminal behavior and drug-related crimes. Social support, such as a nurturing relationship, modifying this relationship to the extent that they reduced levels of criminality among those with drug use problems. The authors also found support for sociological drift theory, which argues that crime leads to drug-related problems. One implication was that those with drug problems as young adults had the same problems later in life. Moreover, men compared to women, reported a stronger relationship between crime and drug use. Limitations include small geographic area, sample attrition, and the use of self-report data. In conclusion, the authors recommend that future research examine the link between crime and drugs well into adulthood.
Objective: Students are to locate, download, and summarize six peer-reviewed journal articles based on one topic (Gangs). This should be one of the three topics from Writing Assignment 2. Four of t
Bill Sanders, CRIM 3010, Writing Assignment 3, Fall 2020 Bankston’s (1998) review essay examines the new second generation of youth gangs. The article is on immigration to the United States after 1965 and in relation to how immigrant communities gave rise to criminal street gangs. The author discusses some of the major theoretical trends to youth gangs after 1965. The three broad themes that he focuses on are opportunity structure, cultural approaches, and social disorganization. The first concept explored was opportunity structure. In general, this refers to a lack of job opportunities for unskilled labor. As a result of being unable to find jobs, youth and young adults form gangs. Selling drugs was one such opportunity that youth gang members engaged in. Robbery, extortion and theft were others. Certain gangs were offered certain opportunity to participate in certain types of money-generating crimes. The second concept addressed were cultural approaches. Cultural approaches refers to the development to certain cultural traits that enable gang members to adapt to particular situations. It also looks at the role of culture within gangs. Chicano gangs for instance, were well established within the community by 1965 that often involve families throughout generations. Moreover, Asian gangs might have been impacted by the cultural pattern of adult organized crime. A final cultural characteristic explored is how certain gang traits transcend race and are employed by gang youth from various ethnicities and nationalities. The third and final concept examined is social disorganization. Here, gangs emerge in relation to the collapse of social institutions due quick changes in society. Such change includes people moving in and out and a lack of stability in such institutions. Moreover, disagreement on cultural values from people from different cultural backgrounds hinders social organization. Language differences and an overall lack of unfamiliarity with American culture also contribute to such disorganization.
Objective: Students are to locate, download, and summarize six peer-reviewed journal articles based on one topic (Gangs). This should be one of the three topics from Writing Assignment 2. Four of t
Writing Assignment 3: Peer-reviewed journal articles The foundation of any field within the social sciences rests upon its ability to produce valid and reliable empirical data. Empirical data is that gathered in the real world through interviews, surveys, observations, content analyses, and a host of others methods to collect information. Such data is often published in what are referred to as peer-reviewed journals. This means that an article has been previously read by a panel of (often) three noted professionals in the field. This panel verifies the methodology and findings of the research, and then offers recommendations to the editor to accept or reject the paper. Most papers submitted are rejected. Often, when papers are accepted, they are done so on the condition that a series of edits be made. Papers are only accepted for publication as articles in journals after all edits and other conditions have been accepted by the panel and the editor. Students within the School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics will be expected to be able to locate, download, and summarize peer-reviewed journal articles. These articles come in three general types: empirical articles, review articles, and position articles. Empirical articles – When the author(s) of the paper produce an original analysis and discussion of a particular topic or data set. For instance, a researcher is interested in the extent that gang members experience violence and interviews 60 of them throughout Los Angeles and reports on her findings. Empirical articles may also analyze the extent an intervention is effective (e.g. studies examining ‘what we do’ about crime in general or certain crimes), or how many minorities are incarcerated on drug charges compared to whites (e.g. studies examining conviction rates). This is the most common type of article that students will be expected to obtain. Review articles – When the author(s) of the paper examine previously published data. Here, they might summarize other researchers’ findings and offer recommendations. The point here is that the authors do not collect original data or conduct any original analysis, but rather ‘review’ what other researchers produced. The key word here is ‘original analysis.’ If the authors of a paper use another data set (i.e. one they did not collect), but then produce their own analysis of that data, that would be an empirical article. Position articles – When the author(s) of the paper state their opinion about a certain topic. Often these topics are related to policies (e.g. what is the most effective way to tackle gangs?). These papers are normally short 5-10 pages and appear towards the beginning of the journal. The journals Criminology and Public Policy and Criminal Justice Policy Review have many of these types of articles. How to spot the difference? In most cases, the name of the article or the abstract gives away the type of article. If the title, for instance, says something like ‘A partial test of social learning theory towards explaining gang delinquency’, then this is a strong clue that the article is an empirical one. What gives it away here is the idea that the author(s) are testing a particular theory. If the title of the paper does not reveal anything, go to the abstract. Here, if you see numbers, the likelihood is that the article is an empirical one. These numbers likely represent people or locations (or gangs) that are part of the data. Look also for phrases like ‘we tested’ or ‘we examined the extent that [x] could be explained by [y]’. Those are also likely empirical articles. If the abstract has the phrases ‘we review previous studies’ and the like, then it is probably a review article. Not all articles are peer-reviewed. This means that what the authors say and how they collect data have not been verified by a panel of other experts and professionals. Generally speaking, students want to avoid these types of articles. A major reason is that such information might not be true. Articles published on websites can be particularly troubling as anyone can essentially say anything – regardless of how true or current the information might be. Websites with the word ‘wiki’ in their name (as in Wikipedia) have been proven to supply false information (There was an empirical study done on this. You can look it up!). Again, avoid using such information when constructing your work (e.g. papers, reflection exercises, projects, writing assignments, posters, presentations). Objective: Students are to locate, download, and summarize six peer-reviewed journal articles based on one topic. This should be one of the three topics from Writing Assignment 2. Four of these articles must be empirical, one must be a review, and one must be a position. Each summary is at least one page long. Minimum page length: six pages or at least one page per summary. Feel free to write more. Include a bibliography page in APA format in addition to writing at least six pages. Remember to follow the Writing Guidelines. Watch the ‘Using Google Scholar and Locating References’ video for help locating the articles. FYI Major journals in the field of criminal justice Criminology (this is the #1 journal in our field!) Criminology & Public Policy Journal of Research in Crime & Delinquency Crime & Delinquency Juvenile Justice Deviant Behavior Social Problems Justice Quarterly Journal of Criminal Justice The British Journal of Criminology Crime & Justice Criminal Justice Policy Review Journal of Quantitative Criminology Journal of International Criminal Justice Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Homicide Studies Violence and Victims Journal of Interpersonal Violence Substance Use and Misuse Criminal Justice and Behavior Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology Police Quarterly American Journal of Sociology The Prison Journal International Criminal Justice Review Punishment & Society Crime, Law, & Social Change European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Law & Society Review European Journal of Criminology Crime, Media, Culture Probation Journal Current Issues in Criminal Justice Journal of Experimental Criminology Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Use Drug and Alcohol Dependence Addiction Journal of Substance Use Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment International Journal on Drug Policy Addictive Behaviors Journal of Studies on Alcohol Alcohol and Alcoholism Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs The field of criminal justice is a hodgepodge of sociology, psychology, law, public health, and political science. Empirical data relevant to criminal justice can also be found in journals from these fields. 4