Intro to Criminal Justice: Topic 2
- 1. Intro to Criminal Justice Topic 2: courtroom workgroups and successful closure
- 2. Types of materials Format – what types of materials do what types of things? Reference material – background information, definitions, possible next steps Books – broad discussion of many facets of a topic Journals/Periodicals – more focused research and discussion of (usually) a single issue or question
- 3. Which is best for your topic? Ask yourself – what type of material is best suited to answer my questions? Reference materials? Books? Articles? A mix of materials?
- 4. Where to start? Are there terms you need a formal definition for? Topic 2 Workgroup/Courtroom Workgroup (specific roles of the workgroup) Trial Closure/Criminal Trial For broad overviews and definitions, head to reference materials!
- 5. Reference Material Encyclopedia of Crime and Punishment (this is an ebook, just click “View this book” and enter your 7 digit ID number) Prosecutor Defense Counsel Criminal Trial Make sure to look at the bottom of the article for additional related articles Note: Workgroup isn’t in this encyclopedia but the varied members who make up a workgroup are discussed!
- 6. Reference Material (cont.) Related articles help lead to other solutions! For example: At the end of Prosecutor, there are links to Prosecutorial Discretion, Criminal Trial, Plea Bargaining Are those possibilities for exploration to answer your research question? (Yes!)
- 7. Brainstorming Reference material can lead you to alternate terms/concepts you might not have considered. Write down all terms you might use For example: workgroup, prosecutor, defense counsel, criminal trial, trials, etc. Why? Different writers use different terms
- 8. Brainstorming Possibilities – Topic 1 Workgroup, Criminal Trial/Trial Closure Prosecutor Defense Counsel Prosecutorial Discretion Plea Bargaining Judicial Process
- 9. Next Steps Use the information you found in the reference material to lead your search for books and articles Use your brainstormed terms as possible search terms – mix & match! Think about possible answers to your question, there are many possibilities! Then, look for information on your proposed answers
- 10. Next Steps -- Books Reminder Books contain broader based information on a topic area Topic – 2 – books Criminal Process Criminal Trial Processes Judicial Process Overarching Themes – Plea Bargaining, Courtroom procedure
- 11. Next Step – Journal Articles Reminder Journal articles contain more focused information on a specific facet of an issue For – example Plea bargaining in drug crimes Prosecutorial process in juvenile court systems You should be using mostly SCHOLARLY journal article for your paper!
- 12. Citing References For this class, you must cite in APA style (not MLA!) Database citations, while useful, almost always need correcting There is help on the research guide for this class on the “APA Citations” tab Use the dropdowns under that tab for specific source examples
- 13. Research Guide There is a research guide for this class that links to relevant resources Books & More: search our catalog, search the eReference materials (this is where good CJ-related eEncyclopedias are) Articles: links to relevant databases APA Citations: info on citing in APA style
- 14. Need More Help? Contact me! That’s what I’m here for! Erika Behling: ebehling@clcillinois.edu