drugs in Minnesota.

This paper provides a general overview of scope of your problem. Part one of the paper should be no more than four pages in length (approx. 1,000 words double-spaced, excluding the title page and reference page) and written in a style appropriate for an academic audience. You must cite at least five sources. The choice of books, articles, web resources, etc. is entirely at your discretion, however, at least three of the five must be academic quality, peer-reviewed research articles. Please organize your paper as follows:
Part 1: Introduction to the Problem
a) Provide the working title for your project. Be concise and descriptive. If possible, think of an informative but catchy title that piques the reader’s interest
b) Identify what the problem is that you are going to focus on for this class. Why is it a “problem”?
c) Whom/what does the problem impact? Provide the necessary background or context for your problem. Why is this “hot” topic? Is the problem “researchable?” Can you investigate it by collecting and analyzing data?
d) Why are you interested in the problem?
e) What do you hope to get out of this project (other than a degree!)? What is your aim? What do you seek to prove?
Part 2: Source List
All sources must be relevant to your crime problem and properly cited in APA.
a) List alphabetically by author at least 10 empirical research articles pertaining to your problem
b) List alphabetically by author at least five scholarly books (monographs) or edited volumes pertaining to your problem
c) List at least two other sources besides books and journal articles that you can use.
For example, names of people who work, volunteer, or are otherwise involved in the criminal justice system that you can interview. Explain how you will get access to these sources and why they are important / relevant.
If any of the required components of the paper are missing or significantly lacking in content or I am met with problems with spelling/grammar/sentence and paragraph structure or inappropriate use of APA, the paper will be returned to you and you will be required to “revise and resubmit” within seven days. 10% of your grade will be deducted for not satisfying the requirements for the original paper.

What is an empirical research article?
An empirical research article reports research based on actual observations or experiments. The research may use quantitative research methods, which generate numerical data and seek to establish causal relationships between two or more variables, or qualitative research methods, which critically analyze behaviors, beliefs, feelings, or values with few or no numerical data available for analysis. Empirical articles typically are published in academic, scholarly, or professional journals, are substantial in length (between 20 and 40 pages on average), and contain the following sections:
(1) Abstract; (2) Introduction; (3) Literature review; (4) Methodology; (5) Results; (6) Discussion; (7) Conclusion; (8) References. If your article deviates from the above it is likely not an empirical research article. See list below.
What is a monograph? A monograph is a specialist book on a single subject or an aspect of a subject, usually by a single author. Unlike a textbook, which surveys the state of knowledge in a field, the main purpose of a monograph is to present primary research and original scholarship. An edited volume features articles or other material on the same subject but by different authors collected together in one book by an editor or editors.
Am I wedded to these sources for the rest of Capstone? No. You can use different sources as your capstone project develops. The aim here is to demonstrate appropriate sources exist and are assessable.
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Ideas for Criminal Justice Capstone Projects
Getting started on your Capstone project might be the toughest part, but also the most intellectually stimulating. Think about creating a solution to a problem related to crime and/or the MN criminal justice system. Be specific; try to focus on a problem in a particular context.
Look around when you are driving, walking, taking the bus to get ideas. You might even do something as simple as talking to people you know in your community and asking them what
THEY think are problems related to crime and criminal justice.