Students will conduct a research project based on a central research question. Research projects
are a cumulative way for students to demonstrate knowledge gained throughout the course. The central research question that students will explore is: What factors are related to adolescent substance use?
The research projects will include six sections:

1. Introduction: statement of the problem, why it is a problem (i.e., what are the
consequences of this problem), why it is important to study this problem, and the purpose of the
research with an explicit statement of the four factors to be studied and why.
2. Theoretical framework: a thorough summary of the theory and its concepts that help explain why the four factors are related to adolescent substance use. This section must include an explanation and application of the theory and its relevant concepts.
3. Review of literature: a review of the research, using at least four scholarly sources.
Scholarly sources must be summarized cogently at the end of the section, and students must state
the collective relevance of these studies to the current project.
4. Methods: a detailed description of the four hypotheses that correspond to the factors of
interest and the methodologies used to conduct the study. General topics include information
about the sampling method, sample, research design, and measures used.
5. Results: a summary of descriptive statistics and hypotheses tests results.
6. Discussion and Conclusion: a summary of the project, implications for theory, the literature, and policy, limitations of the current project, and suggestions for future research.

Writing Style
Students should use a formal prose and incorporate terminology relevant to criminal justice research. Students should not use first person narrative (do not use ‘I’ or ‘my’) or quotes.

Format
Papers must be formatted to the following criteria: 1–inch margins, double–spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font, and include page numbers (Times New Roman font, bottom, center). Papers should include headings (Introduction, Theory, Literature Review, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion) and appropriate subheadings. Students who do not follow formatting guidelines will have points deducted.

Citations and References
Scholarly sources must be used and referenced throughout the paper using APA formatting style.
Information on in–text citation guidelines and referencing is available in the Writeand

Wrong text. Students should not cite Wikipedia or related websites. Students who do not use scholarly sources will not receive a passing grade. Please consult with the instructor in advance if you have questions about sources. Please also consult the College’s policy on academic integrity at http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/page.cfm?siteID=209&pageID=17. All students are expected to conduct themselves with academic integrity at all times in this course. Please note that academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to using inappropriate notes or an unauthorized electronic device, misrepresenting or falsifying documents and/or collaborating with another student on course work when not specifically authorized by the faculty member. Plagiarism, an act of dishonesty, includes representing the work of another as one’s own, such as copying somebody else’s writing or another student’s exam answers, or directly copying any material written by somebody else (including webpages) without quotation marks and a proper citation.
Academic dishonesty can take many other forms, and each student is responsible for
understanding the concept of academic dishonesty. Any and all instances of academic
dishonesty will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Any student who takes part in any form of academic dishonesty will face harsh consequences including a report to the Office of Academic Affairs and a zero on assignments/exams. Students who are reported to Academic Affairs will not be permitted to withdraw from the class.

Stage I: Introduction, Theory, and Literature Review (40pts)
Complete the INTRODUCTION, THEORY, and LITERATURE REVIEW sections of the research project.

Part I: INTRODUCTION (10pts)
Prepare approximately two paragraphs discussing the broad topic being studied.
• The initial paragraph should introduce the topic by stating the problem of adolescent
substance use. Provide ample scholarly evidence, in the form of three separate facts, that support the claim adolescent substance use is a popular problem. The three facts should come from at least two different scholarly sources.
• Explain why adolescent drug use is a social problem in the United States (i.e. what are the negative consequences of adolescent drug use?). Three distinct consequences from at least two different scholarly sources should be provided. Be sure to avoid errors in everyday reasoning.
• The next paragraph should state the importance/benefits of studying this topic. State the purpose of your study (What factors are related to adolescent substance use?).
• Finally, state the research question (Can social learning theory explain adolescent drug use?), briefly explain social learning theory, and state the primary research method
(survey high school students).
o Hint: See the document named Data Description (available on Blackboard) for
more information about the data of this study.

Part II: THEORY (10pts)
The theoretical framework should help explain why adolescents start using illegal drugs. It should explain why each social learning theory factor is related to substance use.
• Begin this section by stating the purpose of the theory section.
• Next, in one to two paragraphs, fully explain social learning theory. What does the theory say about crime? What are the definitions of the four social learning theory factors? How does each social learning factor explain crime?
• Last, apply the theory specifically to substance use. Broadly apply social learning theory to substance use and then specifically explain how each social learning factors is related to adolescent drug use.

Part III: LITERATURE REVIEW (10pts)
A literature review is a review of the current research that is related to the topic. It will consist of at least 5 paragraphs and include at least four sources that are not used in class.
• Prior to the first paragraph, include an introduction statement that explains the purpose of the section and it is necessity.
• Then, in paragraphs 1 through 4, summarize empirical research that studies the
relationship between the four social learning theory factors and adolescent drug use. Each paragraph will include one cited source that matches one social learning theory factor.
The summaries should include the sources’ study design and findings.
• The fifth paragraph summarizes the collective findings of the four social learning theory factors. This paragraph includes each of the studies cited in paragraphs 1–4, and explains