Students are required to a term paper for this course worth 100 points. The
term paper can take several forms.
a) A research proposal: In this term paper, you are expected to state a research question
and a testable hypothesis (your prediction), the theory that drives the hypothesis
(given the readings, why did you make that prediction? Why should that result be
expected?), describe why it is important and how it flows from what you read (i.e.,
from psychological research or theory, or from issues that arose in a legal case), and
briefly sketch a methodological design to test the hypothesis. (I strongly recommend
this choice, especially for psychology majors who have completed research methods).
b) Theoretical model: In this term paper you are expected to develop a new theory (or
novel application of an existing theory) to explain or tie together existing research
findings.
c) Issue proposal: In this term paper you are expected to propose a question about
forensic psychology and the criminal justice system on which there is not consensus,
normally starting with the word “should,” to which the answer may be “yes” or “no.”
(An example would be: “Should the insanity defense be allowed in criminal trials?”)
In the issue paper, you should provide detail arguments on both sides of the issue and,
based upon those arguments, choose a position, and defend it.
This will be done in a series of steps following the calendar below. The value of each step is also
included.
Step Due Date Point Value
Term Paper Topic 2nd week 5
References 3rd week 10
Outline 4th week 10
First Draft 5th week 15
Final Draft 7th week 60
You must have approval for the term paper topic from me. Your submission should include the
type of term paper you have chosen and a brief description of the topic (approximately 25
words). Your initial references assignment should include five professional references.
Professional references include articles from peer-reviewed journals (such as Law and Human
Behavior, Behavioral Sciences and the Law, and Psychology, Public Policy, and the Law), ejournals
such as the Open Access Journal of Forensic Psychology, chapters in edited books, and
professional books. They do not include: web pages, magazine and newspaper articles, popular
books, and the textbook. Your outline should provide a plan for the material that will be part of
your paper. Your outline should be a topic outline. It includes a thesis sentence, headings, and
subheadings. For more information go to “How to Write an Outline.” Your final draft should be
term paper can take several forms.
a) A research proposal: In this term paper, you are expected to state a research question
and a testable hypothesis (your prediction), the theory that drives the hypothesis
(given the readings, why did you make that prediction? Why should that result be
expected?), describe why it is important and how it flows from what you read (i.e.,
from psychological research or theory, or from issues that arose in a legal case), and
briefly sketch a methodological design to test the hypothesis. (I strongly recommend
this choice, especially for psychology majors who have completed research methods).
b) Theoretical model: In this term paper you are expected to develop a new theory (or
novel application of an existing theory) to explain or tie together existing research
findings.
c) Issue proposal: In this term paper you are expected to propose a question about
forensic psychology and the criminal justice system on which there is not consensus,
normally starting with the word “should,” to which the answer may be “yes” or “no.”
(An example would be: “Should the insanity defense be allowed in criminal trials?”)
In the issue paper, you should provide detail arguments on both sides of the issue and,
based upon those arguments, choose a position, and defend it.
This will be done in a series of steps following the calendar below. The value of each step is also
included.
Step Due Date Point Value
Term Paper Topic 2nd week 5
References 3rd week 10
Outline 4th week 10
First Draft 5th week 15
Final Draft 7th week 60
You must have approval for the term paper topic from me. Your submission should include the
type of term paper you have chosen and a brief description of the topic (approximately 25
words). Your initial references assignment should include five professional references.
Professional references include articles from peer-reviewed journals (such as Law and Human
Behavior, Behavioral Sciences and the Law, and Psychology, Public Policy, and the Law), ejournals
such as the Open Access Journal of Forensic Psychology, chapters in edited books, and
professional books. They do not include: web pages, magazine and newspaper articles, popular
books, and the textbook. Your outline should provide a plan for the material that will be part of
your paper. Your outline should be a topic outline. It includes a thesis sentence, headings, and
subheadings. For more information go to “How to Write an Outline.” Your final draft should be
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