In this assignment,you will demonstrateyour mastery of the following course outcomes:

 Determine patterns and trends present in criminal justice data that inform data-driven decision making regarding contemporary criminal justice issues

 Determine appropriate research that supports decision making regarding contemporary criminal justice issues

 Employ strategic methods used by leaders in the field of criminal justice for informing the decision-making process of data-driven solutions

 Propose data-driven solutions that address contemporary issues in criminal justice agencies

 Communicate to diverse audiences data-driven recommendations that address contemporary criminal justice issues using best practices of the field

Prompt

For your final project, you will assume the role of a leader within a criminal justice organization of your choice. Based on your chosen scenario, you will be presented with a specific challenge faced by your organization that is emblematic of widerissues incontemporary criminal justice. Your task is to develop an evidence-based solution for the problem, which will be articulated in a formal solution proposal to be presented to your organization’s leadership team. You will be given information (includingthisdata set) foryour scenario, but you must also conduct your own research on comparable organizations and trends in the field to determine opportunities and external threats. You will use the data, your research, and your knowledge of theory to develop an informed, data-driven solution to the issue. Finally, you will conclude your solution proposal by identifying internal and external audiences for your solution and creating examples of targeted communications for disseminating your ideas.

Based on the best available data and research, what is the ideal solution for addressing the challenge facing your organization?

Specifically, you must address the critical elementslisted below. Mostof the critical elements align with a particular course outcome (shown in brackets).

I. Introduction: In this section, establish a context that provides your audience with any background information that is necessary for understanding your proposal.

Theory and Methods: In this section, explain thetheoretical frameworks that underpin your analysis and proposed solution.

a) Identify foundational criminology theories that applyto your chosen organization and the challenge it faces. Draw connectionsbetween the theories and the specific context that will ultimately support youranalysis and your proposed solution.

b) Examine the strategic methods used by leaders in thefield for approaching problems such as yours. For example, what do the currentbest practices in the field suggest in terms of researching and investigatingthe issue? Highlight methods that support your proposal.

c) Similarly, identify best practices in the field for communicatingwith diverse audiences. Illustrate these practices with specific examples thatwill ultimately support your communication plan.

III. Literature Review: In this section, present all ofthe evidence that you have analyzed (including the provided data and yourindependent research) and that will support your proposed solution.

a) Data Analysis: Using the provided data, determine anypatterns and trends that are present. What meaning and significance can youglean from the data?

b) Research: Present your research on the issue thatbuilds on the patterns and trends you identified in the data. For example, arethere prior solutions that similar organizations have implemented in addressingthis type of issue? What meaning and significance can youglean from yourresearch?

c) Root Causes: Based on your data analysis andindependent research, explain what you believe to be the root causes of theissue. Logically justify your conclusion using the evidence.

IV. Proposal: In this section, present and defend yourplan for solving the issue facing your organization.

a) Solution:

i. Based on your theoretical framework and your analysisand research, propose a solution that effectively addresses the issue.

ii. Illustrate your proposal with the specific steps thatthe organization would need to take in order to properly execute the solution.

iii. Recommend strategic methods that leadership of theorganization could apply in effectively implementing your proposed solution.

b) Defense:

i. Explain how your solution will improve the situationfor both your organization and the community that is affected by the issue. Usespecific examples to illustrate.

ii. Explain how the data you analyzed and the trends youidentified have guided you to this solution. In other words, how did youranalysis of the data inform your decision making? Use specific examples toillustrate.

iii. Explain how your research led you to this solution.In other words, how did the evidence in your research inform your decisionmaking? Use specific examples to illustrate.

V. Communication Plan: In this section, explain how youwill disseminate the key ideas of your proposal.

a) Determine who the key internal and external audiencesfor your proposal are, and explain how you would present the information tothem. Your communication plan should reflect the best practices in the field,as discussed in your Theory and Methods section.

b) Choose one internal audience and develop a samplecommunication for them regarding your proposed solution. Be sure that yourcommunication is appropriate for this audience and is aligned with bestpractices in the field.

c) Choose one external audience and develop a samplecommunication for them regarding your proposed solution. Be sure that yourcommunication is appropriate for this audience and is aligned with bestpractices in the field.

VI. References: In this section, cite all of your sourcesusing APA formatting and guidelines.

Guidelines for Submission: Your solution proposal shouldbe 10–12 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and should bewritten in APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, andone-inch margins.