Today's Hours
This is a list of possible topics for research. Topics listed may need to be narrowed or broadened for research. Remember to consider the assignment requirements as you decide on a topic.
Terrorism
Private Prisons
Cybersecurity
Human Trafficking
White supremacy in police departments
Social media and law enforcement officers
Value of police militarization
Do police unions in the United States contribute to bad behavior by police officers?
How does law enforcement academy training in the United States differ from other countries?
Juvenile Delinquency
Probation
Criminal theory and specific crime
Domestic violence by police officers
Stand your ground/self defense
Do body cameras improve police behavior?
Stand your ground law
Before you decide on a research topic, make sure you understand the assignment and the requirements for the assignment. Not sure about choosing a research topic? Need assistance in developing a research strategy? Do you understand how to focus or broaden your topic? Have questions about developing your research statement or thesis? Use the links on this page to help you understand you assignment and develop your research strategy.
If you would like to meet with the Criminology and Security Studies Librarian, contact information is to the right.
Research can be easier if you have a plan before you research. How many sources do you need for the assignment? Do you have a list of search terms or key words? How will you take notes from the readings? How will you organize your notes? Keep track of the sources you have reviewed? Review the tips below for help in planning your research strategy.
Background information can provide an overview and/or a history on a topic.
You may be assigned a topic you are not familiar with or you may have a topic you are interested in researching--but you lack knowledge about the subject. Background information can provide material to assist you in learning about the topic.
Background information can also provide search terms (names, dates, places) to use in library catalogs and databases to search for additional sources.
Encyclopedias are excellent sources for background material. Check the index or the A-Z listings in an encyclopedia to find your topic.
Other examples of resources for background information include books, dictionaries, and databases. CQ Researcher (database available on the library website) provides information on several aspects of a topic.
Below are a few examples of resources for background material.
CQ Researcher
As you research, you may need to broaden or narrow the topic. Focusing the time frame of your topic can broaden (increase the time frame) or narrow (decrease the time frame) the scope of information in your search. Concentrating on a smaller aspect of a topic is another way to focus your research. An example would be to focus a search on terrorism (a large topic) to a smaller aspect (lone wolf or suicide bombers) of terrorism.
If you need assistance in refining your topic, contact a librarian.
