Evaluate the claim “we can predict who will become a criminal”.
Maximum word length: 1500 words not including reference list or table of contents.

To start you off on this topic you should look at the following 3 articles. You will then need to source an additional 15 articles from peer-reviewed journals. Additional information and guidance of literature searching will be given in workshops and online.

Herrenkohl, T. I., Jung, H. J., & Lee, J. O. (2017). Effects of child maltreatment, cumulative victimization experiences, and proximal life stress on adult crime and antisocial behavior. Summary Report for US Department of Justice.

Keatley, D. A., Golightly, H., Shephard, R., Yaksic, E., & Reid, S. (2018). Using behavior sequence analysis to map serial killers’ life histories. Journal of interpersonal violence, 0886260518759655.

Monahan, J. (1984). The prediction of violent behavior. American Journal of Psychiatry, 141(1), 10-15.

Using these articles and other research to justify your position, you will need to draw a conclusion about the predictive accuracy of tools and methods that predict the likelihood of offending.,

My Expectations:

1. You can choose any crime behaviour you like. Articles listed above are for example purposes. You can look at other areas covered in the course.

1. I want to distinguish between your own opinion and your conclusion. You will be aware that we do not want your opinion about a topic. An opinion is your subjective belief about a topic. A conclusion is your position based a review and interpretation of academic literature. I am interested in your ability to read and synthesise academic literature and come to a conclusion based on an integration the relevant material.

1. Structure your paper. Use informative headings and sub-headings to guide the reader through your paper. Create a table of contents from these headings and subheadings at the beginning of your paper. There is a function for this in WORD and if you are not familiar with it, now is the time to learn to use it. The table of contents does not comprise part of the word limit.

1. In order to write this paper you will need to do research, i.e. find empirical and theoretical research from peer reviewed journals. Analyse this research and demonstrate how it is relevant to the topic.

1. You are expected to use your critical and analytical skills in this essay. Avoid mere description or regurgitation. Both your observations and your use of other people’s writing should reflect this critical/analytical dimension. In sum, your intellectual input should be clearly discernible in the paper. Remember the 5 Cs: cite, compare, contrast, connect, critique (See https://intranet.ecu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/20621/literature_review.pdf )

1. You are not marked for your political or social views or opinions, but rather for your ability to present coherent, rational and logical arguments, properly supported by research.

1. You are also assessed on your ability to express yourself clearly, logically and succinctly. Poor expression, grammar, punctuation and spelling will detract from your overall mark.

1. Do not directly quote form sources. Instead, you must paraphrase: put the ideas expressed in the literature in your own words. You must provide a reference every time you paraphrase words, facts and ideas found in the literature. The in-text references (required by APA style) are included in the word limit. Include a reference list at the end of your assignment. The reference list should be a separate page at the end of the essay and is not included in the word limit. Use the APA referencing style – see http://libguides.murdoch.edu.au/APA for more information.

1. Please note that your research effort, demonstrated by your engagement with the material you have found, analysed and implemented into your own writing (and properly referenced) will be the central pillar for the mark you will receive.

General instructions for completing assignments in this unit
Before you submit any work for this unit, please ensure it conforms to the following parameters:

1. Submit your paper as a WORD document only.

1. You may not use direct quotes in your work. Restate and rework key points from published research into your own words.

1. You may not use secondary citations. Go and find the original source or find another way to substantiate your claims.

1. Do not include a cover page. A title above the start of your work is all that is required.

1. Only put your student number in the header or footer, not your name. I blind mark and this helps ensure impartiality.

1. The word limit is the longest your essay can be (excluding the reference list). Your work may be under the word limit if you feel that you can sufficiently answer the question in less, but it may not be over. There is no + or – 10%. 1 mark will be deducted for every 50 words that you are over the word limit (e.g. 2001 words = 1 mark deducted, 2051 words = 2 marks deducted).

1. Include a word count at the end of the essay (excluding the reference list). I will check the word count before I start marking.

1. Please note that when you submit your essay for marking, your assignment will be automatically submitted for scanning by the university electronic plagiarism detection software, Urkund (see below, for more detail). All cases of academic misconduct will be reported without exception in accordance with the University’s policies: (https://policy.murdoch.edu.au/dotNet/documents/?docid=1353&LinkedFromInsertedLink=true&public=true) Urkund is a pattern-matching system designed to compare work submitted by students with other sources from the internet, journals/periodicals, and previous submissions that have been made to Urkund. Its primary purpose is to detect any submitted work that is not original and provide a thorough comparison between the submitted document and the original sources.

More information about Urkund is available at: http://our.murdoch.edu.au/Student-life/Study-successfully/Referencing-and-citing/Using-Urkund/

1. Familiarise yourself with the “What I need to know” link on the Murdoch website. This includes links relating to:

8. Links to the Assessment Policy;

8. A description of Academic Integrity;

8. Examinations;

8. Non-discriminatory language;

8. Student appeals;

8. Student complaints;

8. Conscientious objection and assessment policy;

8. Determination of grades from components/marks; and

8. Information for equity students

1. As to ease of comprehension, I suggest you ask a student/friend/parent/sibling not enrolled in this unit to read your work and ask them if it is easy to understand. Even reading your essay out aloud will assist in detecting minor grammatical and/or punctuation errors that are easily overlooked when proofreading.