Research Question:

• What are the most effective strategies for reducing recidivism among juvenile offenders?

Problem:

The problem that my research question addresses is the high rate of recidivism among juvenile offenders. According to the National Institute of Justice, about two-thirds of juvenile offenders are rearrested within three years of their release from custody. This is a serious problem because it means that juvenile offenders are more likely to commit future crimes, which can have a negative impact on their victims, their families, and their communities.

Summarize the problem the profession faces:

The criminal justice profession faces a number of challenges in addressing the problem of recidivism among juvenile offenders. One challenge is that there is no single, effective strategy for reducing recidivism. Different strategies work for different offenders, and it can be difficult to identify the right strategy for each individual offender. Another challenge is that juvenile offenders are often difficult to reach and engage in treatment programs. They may have a history of trauma, abuse, and neglect, and they may have difficulty trusting adults.

Identify the most important factor(s) in the problem that your question was created to answer:

The most important factor in the problem of recidivism among juvenile offenders is the lack of effective treatment programs. There are a number of different treatment programs available for juvenile offenders, but there is no clear consensus on which programs are most effective. This means that many juvenile offenders are not receiving the treatment they need to reduce their risk of reoffending.

Demonstrate how you developed your question through the following four steps:

Identify patterns of symptoms:

The first step in developing my research question was to identify patterns of symptoms among juvenile offenders. I did this by reviewing the research literature on recidivism among juvenile offenders. I found that there are a number of risk factors for recidivism, including:

• A history of delinquency
• A history of substance abuse
• A history of mental health problems
• A lack of family support
• A lack of education or employment

Analyze patterns of symptoms:

The second step in developing my research question was to analyze the patterns of symptoms that I had identified. I looked for common themes and patterns among the risk factors. I found that many of the risk factors for recidivism are interconnected. For example, juvenile offenders who have a history of delinquency are also more likely to have a history of substance abuse and mental health problems.

Investigate symptoms through research:

The third step in developing my research question was to investigate the symptoms that I had identified through research. I looked for studies that had examined the effectiveness of different treatment programs for juvenile offenders. I found that some treatment programs, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, are more effective than others in reducing recidivism.

Hone question through multiple iterative drafts:

The fourth step in developing my research question was to hone it through multiple iterative drafts. I reviewed my research question several times and made changes to it as needed. I wanted to make sure that my question was researchable, measurable, complex yet clear, neither too broad nor too narrow, and had value for gathering information.

I believe that my research question is a good fit for the position that I am interviewing for because it addresses a significant problem in the criminal justice profession. It is also a researchable question that can be answered through empirical research. I am confident that I have the skills and experience necessary to conduct this research and to make a meaningful contribution to the field.