CRI10002: Fundamentals of Criminology Research Essay Plan and Annotated Bibliography Assignment 2

Assignment overview

Assignment 3: Research essay due later in the unit. The plan should include an outline of the topics that will be covered in the essay and where in the essay each topic will be located. You will receive feedback on your essay plan in time to help you complete your final research essay.

Details

Developing the skills to critically consider and review positions and sources is essential for attaining and maintaining appropriate knowledge and currency of criminology issues. The research essay plan and annotated bibliography initiate your planning for Assignment 3: Research essay

This task requires you to submit:

• Essay plan: comprising a thesis statement outlining your chosen offence and essay argument (100 words) and an overview of one (1) theory from the research essay brief, i.e. theories covered in the first half of the unit. In five topic sentences, you will present your overview outlining how this theory can explain your chosen offence and its potential limitations (500 words).
• Annotated bibliography: a critical summary of three (3) different academic sources that you have identified related to this chosen theory (500 words). You will receive feedback on your essay plan in time to help you complete your research essay. You can use the feedback to help inform the second theory you will choose from the research essay brief for your research essay.

Assessment Requirements Brief Summary

The assessment, Assignment 3: Research Essay, focuses on developing students’ abilities to critically analyze criminology theories and apply them to a chosen offence. The assessment is divided into two main components:

1. Essay Plan
   • Thesis Statement (100 words): Clearly outline the chosen offence and the main argument of the essay.
   • Theory Overview (500 words): Provide an overview of one theory from the unit, structured into five topic sentences explaining:
     • How the theory explains the chosen offence
     • Potential limitations of the theory
     • Logical placement of these points in the essay
2. Annotated Bibliography (500 words):
   • Critically summarize three academic sources related to the chosen theory.
   • Each summary should highlight the source’s relevance, contribution, and limitations in relation to the offence and theory.

Key Pointers to Cover:

• Clear identification of the chosen offence
• Connection between the theory and the offence
• Critical evaluation of the theory’s strengths and limitations
• Use of credible academic sources
• Structured planning to guide the final research essay

Approach Taken by Academic Mentor

The academic mentor guided the student through a step-by-step process to ensure that all assessment requirements were met effectively:

1. Understanding Assessment Objectives

   • The mentor first explained the purpose of the research essay plan and annotated bibliography: to develop critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to apply theory to practice.

2. Selecting the Offence and Theory

   • The student was guided to choose a relevant offence from the unit brief.
   • Next, one theory was selected from the first half of the unit that could best explain the chosen offence.
   • The mentor emphasized aligning the theory with real-world criminology issues.

3. Developing the Thesis Statement

   • The mentor assisted in drafting a concise 100-word thesis that clearly defined the essay’s focus and argument.
   • Guidance was given on ensuring the thesis was arguable and directly linked to the chosen theory.

4. Structuring the Theory Overview

   • The five topic sentences were planned to ensure logical progression:
     1. Introduction of the theory
     2. Explanation of the offence through the theory
     3. Supporting evidence from research
     4. Discussion of limitations
     5. Connection to the essay’s broader argument
   • Each point was briefly explained with guidance on maintaining critical analysis.

5. Compiling the Annotated Bibliography

   • The mentor helped identify three credible academic sources.
   • The student was guided on how to summarize each source critically, noting its relevance, contribution, and any limitations.
   • Emphasis was placed on linking the sources to the theory and offence.

6. Review and Feedback Integration

   • The plan and annotated bibliography were reviewed for coherence, clarity, and critical depth.
   • Mentor feedback was incorporated to strengthen the essay structure and argumentation.

Outcome Achieved

• Essay Plan: A clear and structured plan with a concise thesis, logical theory explanation, and identification of theory limitations.
• Annotated Bibliography: Critical summaries of three academic sources demonstrating research skills and the ability to evaluate evidence.
• Learning Objectives Covered:
  • Critical thinking and theory application
  • Academic research and referencing skills
  • Structured essay planning
  • Evaluation of theory strengths and limitations
  • Effective integration of feedback to improve academic work

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