Conduct research in criminology and use the data that you find to explain fundamental theories on the causes of criminal behavior.
As a crime analyst, you will conduct research in criminology and use the data that you find to explain fundamental theories on the causes of criminal behavior. Crime analyst teams frequently use evidence-based theories to study crime, integrate research and theory, and discuss their findings using written and verbal communication to determine patterns and make crime-prevention plans.
Scenario
A team conducting a strategic analysis of changes in recent crime in your state has asked you to give a presentation to an affected community. They have asked for your help using evidence-based theories to interpret the criminal behavior and reveal potential patterns that can be used to inform crime-prevention efforts.
Preparation
Selectdata or an event that occurred in your state within the past 12–24 months involving charges for a particular type of crime. You can use the Interactive Data Analyzer from the U.S. Sentencing Commission to view data on crimes by federal offenders or view the FBI’s What We Investigate press release search tool on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website to locate violent crime events in the news. Align your chosen crime to a school of thought or criminology theory presented so far in this course that explains the criminal behavior.
Assessment Deliverable
Using real-life information from your state about a crime of your choice, create a 10- to 12-slide presentation for the affected community, as if you were a crime analyst explaining fundamental theories on the causes of the recent criminal behavior.
Include the following in your analysis of the criminal behavior using an evidence-based theory:
- Explain at least 2 of the school of thought or criminology theory’s key principles. Include any assumptions underlying the development of the theory or give relevant examples that show how to interpret the theory.
- Defend why your selected school of thought or criminology theory is the best explanation for the selected criminal behavior exhibited in the data or event.
Cite at least 2 scholarly sources in your presentation as evidence to support your explanation. At least 1 source should show the data about the crime you selected.
Formatting Requirements
Download and review the Presentation Template Example. This example has been customized to reflect your summative assessment presentation components and will help you get a better idea of how to organize your presentation so that you can focus on the slide content. Inputting your content into this presentation template is optional; you can use presentation software and design layouts of your choice to customize your presentation’s appearance (i.e., color, images, and font). However, ensure you have faculty member approval in advance to use other software.
Whether you use the presentation template example or another template of your choice, include the following slides and topics in your presentation:
Title
Introduction
Example of recent data or event
School of thought or recent criminology theory for this case
School of thought or theory key principles
Theoretical explanation of criminal behavior
Conclusion
References
Presentation recording link (if recording using video software)
Format citations and references for any sources and images according to APA guidelines. Include citations either within the slide’s content or in the speaker notes on the slide where they are mentioned. Use the references slide to list your references.
Record yourself delivering the presentation either by:
Recording narrations within the presentation slides without appearing on screen: If you record narrations for each slide within the presentation software, such as Microsoft® PowerPoint®, you do not need to record a video.
Recording a video or screencast of yourself delivering the presentation: If you record a video of yourself delivering the presentation, either by appearing on screen or by recording a voiceover, paste the link to your completed video on the presentation recording link slide at the end of your presentation.
For either format, ensure that slides are visible and your voice is heard clearly. Contact your faculty member for alternate deliverable formats if you need accommodations.
Submit your assessment.
Assessment Support
Review the rubric for guidance on deliverable expectations.
Review the Theories of Criminal Behavior and Victimology quick-reference guide.
Access the Sample PowerPoint® presentation available in the APA Templates and Samples in the Center for Writing Excellence for formatting guidance and best practices.
To review foundational information about how to create slides in PowerPoint, watch “How to Make a Presentation.”
To learn how to record your screen in PowerPoint, watch the videos and read the instructions on the Record your screen in PowerPoint page on the Microsoft website.
PowerPoint includes a Speaker Coach tool that can help you record a presentation from within PowerPoint. For more tips on using the Speaker Coach tool, read the Suggestions From Speaker Coach and Rehearse Your Slide Show With Speaker Coach pages on the Microsoft website.
To use Microsoft Stream to record your screen and/or yourself, watch “Using Microsoft Stream: Recording a Screen or Video” and read the instructions on Using Microsoft Stream to Create a Video for a Discussion or Assignment.
If you choose to physically appear in your recording along with your slides, remember to present yourself professionally, as if you were interviewing for a potential employer. Watch “Today’s Tip: How to Film a Video of Yourself” to prepare for recording.
Answer preview to Conduct research in criminology and use the data that you find to explain fundamental theories on the causes of criminal behavior.
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