Project Summary: ASSIGNMENT ONE: SELF-ADMINISTERED SURVEY Your first assignment involves designing an original survey. Each student is expected to choose a research question and write a survey to answer that question. Remember: This is for practice only and you will not be distributing the survey. This assignment is worth 100 points and is to be turned in electronically via Canvas (under Assignments) by 6:00 PM on March 21st. PART ONE: RESEARCH QUESTION AND STUDY POPULATION (35 points) The first portion of your assignment should include a one page (double-spaced) synopsis of your research question, variables, conceptual definitions, and study population. Remember all research starts with an idea or interest. Choose a question or a topic you think sounds interesting and you would like to know about and that is appropriate to evaluate using survey methodology. While this is a criminal justice course, you do have the option to gear your research question to other relevant areas of interest (social work, public safety, sociology, management, public affairs, etc.). Begin with a title page, which should include your name and class time. The first paragraph should state your research question (make sure it is appropriate for a survey), state your hypothesis (or what you expect to find), and identify the independent and dependent variables. The second paragraph should provide a conceptual definition for both your independent and dependent variable. The third paragraph should discuss the population you want to study (for example- middle-schoolers, prisoners, the general population of Indianapolis, etc.) and why it is appropriate for your research question. Also, be sure to identify the appropriate unit of analysis and category. PART TWO: INFORMED CONSENT (20 points) Remember that we have been discussing all aspects of research design, including ethical considerations and potential problems in research. As part of this assignment, you must develop and include an informed consent form. While you can refer back to Chapter 2 PowerPoints and the book, be sure that the form is in your own words and that it includes ALL the essential elements of informed consent and assurance of voluntary participation. The informed consent form should be appropriately worded for the survey population. Remember, your consent form for juveniles may be different than a consent form you give to adults. I will act as the primary researcher so please use my information (which can be found on the syllabus). PART THREE: SURVEY INSTRUMENT (45 points) You are required to include the following: Three demographic questions (age, sex, race, etc.) Both open and close-ended questions o Remember, on a self-administered survey open-ended questions should be able to be answered in one or two words. o At least five statement questions with response categories (i.e., Likert-type scales) o Do not include any more than THREE Yes/No questions. At least one contingency OR matrix question Your survey should be at a minimum 15 questions (including the three demographic questions). Remember that the questions should be relevant to the conceptual definition of your variables. You will also be graded on the operationalization of your independent and dependent variables. Remember that having multiple indicators for each variable increases the validity and reliability of the survey. o NOTE: It may be useful to refer to both generally published research as well as research pertaining to your area of interest to gather ideas on what types of questions are useful and appropriate. Be sure your questions are NOT a replica of already published research; rather use your sources as a guide and inspiration. If you do this, include references. You will also be graded on researcher bias so take care in the wording of your questions, how they are ordered, and avoid loaded questions. Finally, presentation matters. It should be well organized and look professional. WORDS TO THE WISE: These assignments are intended to be very rigorous and I have extremely high standards for them. I view them as being an opportunity to showcase what you have learned in this class. Please ask me if you have any questions regarding this assignment (particularly your topic). The description provided here includes all the items on my rubric. I highly recommend creating a checklist based on the details of this assignment. I will utilize Turnitin via Canvas on these assignments in order to deter plagiarism. The presence of plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment. REMEMBER it is due ELECTRONICALLY via CANVAS by 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 21st. Late assignments will be subject to a 20% reduction per day beginning at 6:01 PM.