Introduction/Statement of the Problem
• Introduce your topic to your readers (topic must contain a social problem).
• Statement of the Problem (What is the problem and what is causing the problem)
• Background and Justification of the problem (evidence the problem exists)
• Purpose of the study (why is your study necessary)

Literature Review
• Must have at least 5 different sources (books, journals, newspapers, periodicals, etc).
• Provide a synthesis of the findings in a summary regarding to the problem area, including additional evidence as to the nature and/or the importance of the problem
• Make clear the need for further studies
• List strengths and weaknesses in previous researches.
• Critique the literature (agreements and disagreements)
• List any deficiencies in evidence (ex: small samples, organization specific, other problems within the study
• Why this study is necessary and what do you plan to add to the topic by conducting this study? Why is this study significant?

Methodology
• Methodology used (Name the method and show why it is appropriate?)
• Research design or approach used (Why is this design appropriate?)
• Hypothesis
• Who is the audience (Who are you writing to and who should read your research)
• Who are the participants (give all demographics and descriptions)
• What Instruments will be used in the study? (Case study, survey, questionnaire, etc)
• What are the measurements/variables (Independent and dependent variables)?
• What are the procedures (How will you conduct this research?)
• What are the research questions in this study?
• How will you analyze the data?
• Give all limitation (limits you may encounter that may prohibit or slow the research)
• Describe any confidentiality/HIPAA issues? (Describe any confidentiality issues with the participants or organizations)
• Are there any ethical considerations?

Theoretical model (if applicable): Must contain a discussion of
• The theory used in the study
• Include a discussion of the theoretical or conceptual framework within which the study will be grounded
• A comparison of the theory with other theories
• Why such theory is the most appropriate for the study?
Discussion
• a step-by-step review and discussion of data collected in your study
• Analyze your data
• Results
• Answers to your research questions
• How they relate to your topic/title
• Whether or not result of an analysis of such data confirms or rejects your hypothesis.

Conclusion
• A review of your findings and result of your study
• Suggestions for more study of the problem (if applicable)
• How your study will help to improve civic responsibility and civic engagement among practitioners in the social science system.
• Recommendation

References
• To be placed at the appropriate section of the paper to which it refers
• Begin the reference on a new page
• Level 1 heading
• The reference should be arranged in alphabetical order
• Typed single-spaced with single space between each reference. The second and succeeding lines of each reference should be indented to the right (5 spaces)
• All references should be formatted using APA

Abstract
The abstract must not exceed two pages and must be typed double-spaced. It must briefly discuss each of the following in a separate paragraph:
• The topic/title of your senior paper
• The social/criminal justice problem connected with the topic
• The hypothesis and variables used in the study (if applicable)
• The research techniques used to collect data
• The major findings of the study
• Whether or not your findings confirms or rejects your hypothesis
• How your study will help to improve the work of criminal justice professionals.