Goal of Assignment 2: In groups of three to four, conduct a Complex (Social) System analysis to identify the possible causes that lead to repeated criminal behavior (i.e., recidivism). Consider factors that drive criminal behaviors in relation to the #Purpose and #Utility. This will involve gathering evidence, developing a stance based on it, and then effectively communicating your stance with evidence to support it. All content must be presented as a presentation for a fictitious #audience of lawmakers in the UAE.
Step 2:** Mini-Literature Review**
Independently, gather evidence to help you better understand your research question. At a minimum, each group member should identify four different sources. Two sources must be scholarly (i.e., empirical, peer-reviewed paper) and two sources must be reliable non-scholarly (e.g., media, government website, popular blog).
Come together as a group to identify at least four sources (two scholarly and two reliable non-scholarly) for the final assignment. Do not use more than six sources. In a shared Google slides file, start to develop a literature review. All group members must contribute to all parts of the literature review so that it has a singular voice. This assignment must be in the form of a presentation with the intended #audience being UAE lawmakers. It is possible that your sources will focus on other countries; if this is the case, it is your responsibility to appropriately transfer it to the UAE context.
IMPORTANT: Do not assign a section to each student. The slides must be developed collaboratively.
The literature review must be divided into multiple subsections:
- Introduction & #EvidenceBased: Introduce your research question and provide relevant background information
- #SystemAnalysis, #BehaviorExplanation, & #EvidenceBased: Present multiple points explaining recidivism and how it could be prevented. Do not provide a generic #SystemAnalysis. Instead, explain the context and incorporate #systemanalysis. For example, you might write:
- Recidivism in the United States is a problem. For example, low-income populations (e.g., agents who did not complete high school) may be particularly vulnerable when their basic needs are not being met.
- In the example above, you see a sentence that might be typical in a literature review, but course concepts related to #systemanalysis are incorporated.
- Note: To be successful in this assignment, this section should include all levels of analysis and not only focus on the individual level.
- #Purpose: Explain what purpose criminal behavior serves. Make sure to include LO specific concepts such as the values, guiding principles and goals that might influence this behavior. Avoid entirely focusing on the micro-level.
- #Utility: Explain the costs and benefits of engaging in criminal behavior for other agents in the system, focusing on multiple levels of analysis
- #Professionalism: Your slides and presentation style will be assessed. All slides must appear professional while finding a balance with the right amount of text (not too much or too little). In text citations are expected and the last slide should include references in APA style. Each student must present with their face showing as though you were presenting in a formal setting. Presenters should not read directly from the slides or notecards. Aim to have a conversational tone and style where you discuss your selected research question, your findings, and the conclusion your group came to.
Step 3:** Conclusion**
In this last section, clearly articulate a summary of your findings and make the answer to your chosen question clear to the #audience. Identify issues that are important to acknowledge and any information that needs to be further understood.
Step 4: APA Style & Format #Professionalism & #EvidenceBased
- Include a first slide with a title and all student names
- You may add images that support comprehension of text
- Use high contrast font settings
- APA style in text citations and a reference slide are mandatory.
All in-text citations must have an associated reference. You may find information on in-text citations here:https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html
All references should also be presented in APA style, with information found here:https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_basic_rules.html
Each reference will be examined to ascertain whether you have a minimum of two scholarly and two reliable non-scholarly sources (with no more than six sources).
Please note that you should adhere to APA Style & Format throughout your slides
Step 5: Finalize Your Presentation
Set a date and time to come together as a team and evaluate your first draft of the presentation. Respectfully and honestly discuss areas for improvement. Revise the presentation collaboratively based on your discussion. Together, record your presentation with a recording of the presenter. All students in the group must present a portion of the presentation. When presenting, presenters should not read off slides. Instead, they should explain the content in the slides. Each presentation must be between 10 to 13 minutes in duration.
Step 6: Submit on Forum
Each student must submit a PDF of the presentation slides and link to the presentation recording. If an extension is used for this assignment, an extension will be used for each group member. For example, if the group uses one 24-hour extension, all students must have a 24-hour extension to use.
Important Notice
If challenges within the group arise, students must address them with their instructor at least five days before the assignment is due. This means that students are expected to plan ahead and work on the assignment well before it is due.
Additional Information
- You will not be using footnotes in your presentation. Instead, you should use each LO with a hashtag so that its application is identified.
- Make sure you proofread all slides before recording your presentation and submitting it.
- Utilize the CIS Academic Excellence Hub for support on grammar, professional writing, and APA style.
- Review your lab materials to apply what you learned about APA style, and check this website for additional support with APA style:https://apastyle.apa.org/
- Quotes may not be used in this assignment.
- All referenced material should be paraphrased in your own words.
- As you prepare your assignment, use this as an opportunity to meet with your instructor during office hours or by appointment.
- Please review this video to get a better understanding of how the meso and macro levels can have a profound impact on the micro level: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDJnJFYFnfA
Learning Outcomes Added
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EvidenceBased: Identify and appropriately structure the information needed to support an argument effectively.
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Professionalism: Ensure that your communication follows established guidelines and use a careful editing process.
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SystemAnalysis: Analyze and apply decompositions of systems into constituent parts at multiple levels of analysis.
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BehaviorExplanation: Analyze the relations among interacting motivating factors that shape behavior.
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Purpose: Identify and evaluate underlying goals and the values on which they are based, as well as the guiding principles that determine how an individual or group will try to attain these goals.
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Utility: Consider different types of costs and benefits for all stakeholders.