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Quick Facts

14 - Rank, based on enrollment, among the top majors at UCF

10th - UCF's ranking among the nation's top-producing institutions of books on criminal justice

9 - Number of summer study abroad programs in Russia lead by Associate Professor K. Michael Reynolds

Writing Resources

Generally, acceptable sources for academic papers include government reports (e.g., Bureau of Justice Statistics), peer-reviewed journal articles (e.g., Justice Quarterly, Criminology, etc.), or a book published by a reputable press (e.g., Waveland, Prentice-Hall, Sage, etc.). It may also include certain types of publications from non-governmental agencies such as Abt Associates, Council of State Governments, Pew Trusts, RAND Corp., Vera Institute or the Urban Institute (which are generally government-sponsored reports).

 

The highest standard for acceptable sources includes peer-reviewed articles and books. Peer-review refers to a process through which research and theory papers are reviewed by experts in a particular field. Those experts determine whether or not a piece of work meets professional standards and appropriate research methods and analysis. Relatively few papers make it through a peer-review their first time, and many require subsequent “revision and resubmission” before they are published. Many papers are rejected as being below the quality level expected in a professional field. Thus, the “gold standard” of publishing is to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Many government and “think-tank” publications go through a similar review process, but are not always reviewed by an organized journal. They do meet professional standards. However, not all not-for-profit organizations subject their materials to this form of rigorous review.

Websites that offer short descriptions of theory, Wikipedia, or pure advocacy organizations are examples of things that are not usually acceptable sources for scholarly papers.

"Legal" research and "social science" research have entirely different processes and applications. Generally speaking, law review articles do not go through the same form of peer-review process that social science articles do. Therefore, legal research may not be appropriate for a scholarly paper; this is especially true of law review articles that claim to be empirical research articles, but whose author has not conducted either the research or analysis of the data. As a general rule, do not use law review articles unless you are speaking directly to a legal issue.

For additional information regarding the selection of articles for academic assignments and other writing topics, such as avoiding plagiarism, citing sources using APA style, and conducting a literature review, see UCF's Information Literacy Modules at http://infolit.ucf.edu/students/modules/

For help with overcoming writer's block; developing critical thinking skills; understanding the material to be written, planning, organizing, revising, and editing papers; designing oral presentations; and analyzing the rhetorical demands of a writing task, visit the University Writing Center. Click here for more information or give them a call at:

Orlando: 407-823-2197
Cocoa: 321-433-7873
Daytona: 386-506-3297

More Resources:

Anatomy of a Scholarly Journal

APA Style Handout

Sources of Articles

CJ Highlights

  • Renee Washington

    (B.S. in criminal justice, minor in information technology, certificate in crime analysis and crime mapping, '09)

    "...the internships I had while attending UCF were instrumental in preparing me for my career." — Renee Washington

    Washington is a full-time associate industrial security representative at Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control in Ocala, Fla.

  • Ross Wolf

    Associate Professor Ross Wolf was one of two recipients of UCF's Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 2010, and one of two recipients of the College of Health and Public Affairs Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2012. He came to UCF in 1999 and since then has participated in countless committees within the department, the College of Health and Public Affairs, and the university. In addition to his faculty position, he currently serves as the Criminal Justice Graduate Program Director and on numerous department, college, and university committees. Wolf also serves as a division chief in the Orange County Sheriff's Office Reserve Unit, and was awarded the U.S. Presidential Call to Service award for his community volunteerism.

  • Marva Ellington

    Marva Ellington received UCF's Award for Excellence in Professional Academic Advising in 2010. She is responsible for academic advising of two the largest programs in the College of Health and Public Affairs. She mentors students, listens carefully to student issues and concerns, and assists students in looking ahead and exploring options for growth and self-development. Ellington is a strong advocate for students and looks for solutions in her work that support students, departments and the university.

  • Tom Stroup: Inspiring School Pride

    Tom Stroup, '09 (Criminal Justice Master's Degree), was one of the hosts of the NBC show called School Pride, which aired Fall 2010 that had Cheryl Hines 90 as an executive producer. Each week, the show empowered communities as cast and crew members to renovate a rundown school and watch as student pride grew. Every episode featured touching personal stories of children, parents and teachers experiencing the amazing transformations of their school grounds and athletic fields. The show also invited viewers to watch for surprise celebrity appearances. For more information, visit www.nbc.com/school-pride.