Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Research Methods in Criminal Justice (Online)

CJ 2500-30I

Course: CJ 2500-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 32407

Course Description

This is an introduction to the research process in criminal justice. Students will become familiar with the scientific research process, including data collection and understanding the link between theory and research. (Fall, Spring, Summer - Even Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CJ 1010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D-

Required Texts

Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology, 10th Edition
Author, Frank E. Hagan ISBN: 9780137409020

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Develop an understanding of the foundational tools used in research methods in criminal justice and how they can be applied to criminal justice related issues.
  2. Understand basic research related concepts and develop a sufficient knowledge of research methods language to understand presented research and to defend one’s own research and views in an appropriate, ethical manner.  
  3. Demonstrate the ability to interpret and comprehend research data found in various formats then synthesize this data and present it in an organized and meaningful way.

Course Requirements

1. Each week students will be required to read, and understand the chapter(s) being covered in the module from the textbook.  

2. In Module #1 students will be required to select a criminal justice related article from the articles provided that will be used throughout the remainder of the course to help students understand different components of research.   

3. Each week students will submit a short response to the instructor with questions, concerns, or victories as it relates to the module topic being discussed.  This assignment is not only used to encourage students to interact and seek guidance or help with the course from the instructor, but also used to help students stay on track in completing the final.  

4. Discussions: Each module(excluding final week) includes a discussion assignment.  Discussions first require students to make an original post(150 word minimum) to the weekly topics covered.  Then, students will be required to respond to a minimum of two other students(50 word minimum) to create interaction and further dialogue.  Initial posts are due on Wednesday of each module and responses to classmates are due by Sunday of each module.    

5. Quizzes: Each module(excluding final week) will require students to take a quiz consisting of 10 questions.  

6. Final Research Design Critique: For the final project students will be required to complete a 4-5 page research design critique of the article selected in Module #1.  

    

Course Outline

Week #1
Student Introduction Discussion
Discussion: Ethical Issues in Research
Research Design Critique Article Selection
Quiz #1

Week #2
Discussion: Experimental Design
Quiz #2
Assignment: Introduction & Unit of Analysis Section

Week #3
Discussion: Data Collection Methods
Quiz #3
Assignment: Type of Experiment and Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Week #4
Discussion: Data Collection and Privacy
Quiz #4
Assignment Methodology Strengths and Methodology Weaknesses

Week #5
Discussion: Accuracy, Measurement, and Reliability
Quiz #5
Assignment: Threats to Internal Validity and External Validity

Week #6
Discussion: Presenting Data & Research
Quiz #6
Assignment: Conclusion

Week #7
Submit Final Research Design Critique

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

In general, late work will not be accepted.  However, if circumstances arise where you are unable to complete assigned coursework, please let me know as soon as possible and circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis.

***I believe strongly that to be successful in this course, completing and submitting your assignments on time will increase your success exponentially.  To encourage this, if you complete and submit ALL of your assignments on time your lowest quiz score will be dropped***



Attendance Policy

This is an online course therefore, attendance will be measured through participation in discussions.  

Course Fees

https://www.suu.edu/registrar/course-fees.html

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.