Hi.

this is the instruction for this weeks assignment. I also added my instructors comments about the one that was due last Sunday, below (at the very end). Also attached the last paper for you.

Write a short paper (3-5 pages) applying skills learned from Modules 1-4 in order to identify and describe the past literature conducted on your chosen research topic that you will need to complete your final research proposal.

In this paper, you should provide some empirical justification for why your topic is important to study and identify and review the major studies previously conducted to examine the topic in the past. When writing the literature review, keep in mind that you do not want to summarize each study, but integrate the common ideas, topics, and results.

Your Literature Review Paper should be 3-5 pages long, and it should include all of the following topics:

1. Justification for why your topic is important to study.
2. Identify and review the past major studies previously conducted on your chosen topic.
3. Identify the methodological strengths and weaknesses of these studies.
4. A minimum of 6 references that come exclusively from peer-reviewed journals, scholarly books, and governmental records or reports.
5. Anything else that you feel is appropriate to defending your position.

All of these assignments should be typed; double-spaced; with 12-point Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial font; and with one-inch margins. Use a formal writing tone that reflects a thoughtful synthesis of the many principles covered in the course, and that exhibits a high level of professionalism. You need a strong thesis, clear organization, lucid points, a formal tone, conventional use of language, and formatting in the APA style.

3. Literature Review Paper

Comments from my instructor about the last paper that was due last week.

Comments:

Your paper was well written. However, your topic seems to be difficult for you to write about. I really suggest that you pick a simpler topic if possible. I was quite confused about your experimental approach while reading this paper. You mention recidivism, which led me to believe that you would be looking at actual offenders and recidivism. For example, comparing the recidivism of a group of inmates that went through community corrections and a group of inmates that went through the traditional process/did not participate in community corrections. However, you then discuss interviewing people. Who exactly would you be interviewing? I would assume that you could obtain recidivism data from public records. Also, you don’t define community corrections or tell me what it entails. Remember, you are writing this paper as if this person has no knowledge of research methods or your topic of choice. There are many community corrections programs being used. For example, there is family therapy and programs for the mentally ill. The best approach would be to pick a specific community corrections program and look at the effectiveness rather than looking at community corrections overall. This would make the study even more complicated. I really hope you take my notes into consideration before completing your next assignment. Please email me if you have any questions. Good job!

Thank you.