This essay assignment offers an opportunity to critically evaluate an academic research article chosen from a selection of eight options. It aims to assess learning outcomes 1 and 2:

1. Develop critical abilities to appraise quantitative methods strategies, designs, and techniques appropriate to particular research problems.
2. Develop critical abilities to appraise quantitative published research findings in criminology.

Students are expected to structure their response by analyzing key aspects of research design and methodology covered in the module and evident in the selected article. Key questions to address include:

• What is the aim of the paper?
• What literature supports the argument?
• What method of data collection was used?
• What is the overall argument?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses?
• How could the research have been conducted differently?
• What ethical issues does the paper raise?

The chosen article will provide the basis for analyzing these aspects, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding of quantitative research methods in criminology.