Describe a specific crime problem framed within a constrained temporal and spatial context. You MUST propose a crime reduction scheme to tackle this problem. The crime problem you need to describe and focus on is the same one that you have chosen for your seminar-related activities and which was approved by the course convenor.
In the paper you need to:
(1) Provide an introduction describing the specific crime problem using
available data. About 25% of the space of the essay should be devoted to this;
(2) Describe and justify the different elements of the crime reduction scheme using appropriate references to the existing literature, this should include a description of your ‘theory of change’ (about 50% of the essay should be devoted to this), and;
(3) Propose a summary evaluation plan for your crime reduction intervention using a quasi-experimental or experimental design that is appropriate for the intervention that you describe (about 25% of the essay should be devoted to this).
Note that the essays are your own INDIVIDUAL submission. While seminar- related activities have allowed for group collaboration in collating relevant references and materials you need to write the essay on your own and using your own words.
Use the following checklist as a reference to help you write the paper:
In describing the problem, have you…
? Used appropriate statistics to situate your crime problem?
? Discussed the consequences of this particular crime problem?
? Used a variety of official and academic sources to discuss this crime
problem?
? Convince your readers that this is a significant issue that deserves
attention?
? Bee as “crime specific” as appropriate
In describing/justifying your intervention, have you…
? Demonstrated adequate knowledge and awareness of the specialised
literature on the particular type of intervention you are proposing
(particularly previous evaluations)?
? Shown that you understand the strengths and limitations of this type of
interventions?
? Described in a clear and understandable manner the different elements
of your intervention (i.e., goals, components, etc)?
? Explained the “theory of change” that underpins your intervention?
In proposing the evaluation of your intervention, have you…
? Explained what are the main expected outcomes of your intervention?
?Described the measures that you will use to assess that your
intervention has produced a change on those outcomes?
? Proposed a research design that allows you to establish that it was your intervention (and nothing else) what led to changes in those
outcomes?
? Discussed potential problems associated with the evaluation?
USE AS ONE OF THE REFERENCES.
http://www.popcenter.org/guides/
