The Introductory paper: The skeletal structure of the CAPPUN paper.

Outline of the contents of the paper:  Cover page:  Abstract:  Introduction:  Literature Review:  Hypotheses:  Research Methods and Procedures:  Results:  Discussion:  Conclusion:  Reference page

[NEW PAGE] TITLE PAGE (This is the first page and is not paginated) Title of the paper your name my name course date ]

[NEW PAGE] Abstract The abstract should be approximately seven sentences, with one sentence devoted to each of the following:  your research question,  what the literature shows,  the hypotheses being tested,  the statistical methods used,  the results of the analysis,  key ideas from your discussion, and  suggestions for future research. [This page is single spaced and is not paginated.]

[NEW PAGE] Introduction  Research question(s)- general and specific  Brief reader education, alluding to the highlights of the literature review with citations.  Strong paragraph about the importance of the topic  Preview of the organization of the paper [This page is paginated-begin page 1. This and all further pages are double spaced.]

[NEW PAGE] (average=5 pages) Literature Review Introduction A review of the relevant literature suggests four main themes relevant to public support for the death penalty (DPS): 1) The effect of public opinion on death penalty law and policy; 2) trends over time in support for the death penalty; 3) socio-demographic correlates of death penalty support, with gender and political orientation emerging as particularly strong predictors of DPS; and 4) theoretical explanations for variations in death penalty support, with models that offer explanations for gender and political orientation variations in DPS particularly salient. The effect of public opinion on death penalty law and policy [Insert 2 paragraphs] Trends over time in support for the death penalty [Insert 1 paragraph] Socio-demographic correlates of death penalty support [Insert 2 paragraphs] Explanations DPS variations by gender and political orientation [Insert 3 paragraphs] Summary [Insert 1 paragraph]

[NEW PAGE] (average: 2-3 pages) Research Question & Hypotheses Introduction: A review of relevant literature indicates that support for capital punishment varies by numerous sociodemographic characteristics. Among these characteristics, gender and political identification emerge as variables that have been found to be consistently associated with differences in support for the death penalty. More specifically, the literature indicates that men and political conservatives are more likely to support the death penalty than women and liberals (Jones 2000; Stack 2000; Ellsworth and Gross 1994). Research question: [INSERT] In keeping with prior research findings, does death penalty support vary by gender and political orientation in the 1996 GSS sample? Hypotheses: Hypothesis # 1: Null hypothesis #1: Rationale: Hypothesis # 2: Null hypothesis #2: Rationale: Hypothesis #3: Null hypothesis #3: Rationale: Summary:

[NEW PAGE] (average: 3 pages) Research Methods and Procedures [PUT THE FOLLOWING IN PARAGRAPH FORM AND DOUBLE SPACE] Introduction : INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Link to the previous section. Ex: In this section of the paper, the method and data used to test the previously presented hypotheses are explained, the sample described, and the data analysis procedures outlined. Research design: INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Type of research: Secondary Analysis Data Set: 1996 General Social Survey Data Source information: Include who conducts the survey, what it is about, the use of and implications of a random, representative sample, and how the GSS is administered. Make sure to specify that you are using a subset of the GSS. Sample characteristics: INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Lead in with a paragraph describing the number of respondents included in the GSS subset and describe the sample in terms of the basic socio-demographic characteristics. While this information should be composed into a paragraph, it should also be presented in tabular form below that paragraph. Socio-demographic characteristics to include: Sex, race, age, education, income. You may include others if you wish. Although political orientation and DPS are not necessarily socio-demographic characteristics, you may include these here as well since they relate to the hypotheses. For tabular presentation, refer to DSF to include all necessary information. Sample table: (PARTIAL) Statistical procedures and recoding: INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: To be included: In paragraph form, describe the procedures used to test the three hypotheses. You can assume that the reader is familiar with SPSS data analysis. Therefore, tell the reader what he/she needs to know to replicate your work.  Crosstabulation used to determine association.  Pearson Chi square used to determine statistical significance. (p.05 limit).  Cramer’s V. used to determine strength of significance.  Recoding of political orientation into a dichotomous variable. Summary Table 1: 1996 GSS sub-sample characteristics Socio-demographic characteristic, with GSS variable in parentheses valid percent/summary statistic in 1996 GSS Sex (SEX)44.1% male; 55.9% female Race (RACE)85.6& white; 14.4% black Age (AGE) Source: 1996 GSS Tab subset

[NEW PAGE] (average: 4 pages) Results [Introduction- INSERT PARAGRAPH Hypothesis # 1 Restate hypothesis #1. Direct your reader to the tabular presentation. While a majority (76.6%) of respondents in the 1996 GSS sample support capital punishment (DPS), there is a moderately strong (V=.129), statistically significant difference (p.<.000) in DPS by sex, with 82.6% of men favoring capital punishment, in contrast to 71.6% of women. (DOUBLE SPACE IN PAPER) The dta lend support for hypothesis #1. [THIS IS THE SAMPLE PARAGRAPH ON THE COVER OF THE SPSS UNIT 1 PACKET] Hypothesis # 2 Restate hypothesis #2. Direct your reader to the tabular presentation. (This will be table #3) Describe the results using the paragraph format above. End with a statement of whether or not the data lends support for the hypothesis. NEVER SAY DATA PROVE OR DISPROVE THE HYPOTHESIS Hypothesis # 3 [NOTE CHANGE OF FORMAT] Restate hypothesis #3. Tell your reader that the results are presented in a three table layout: tables 4a, 4b, and 4c Table 4a: Sex/Cappun (=Table 2) with paragraph below table. Do not include hypothesis support statement. Table 4b: Sex/Cappun for Conservatives ( =the 1 st attribute of the CV POLVIEW2 ) with paragraph below table. Do not include hypothesis support statement. Table 4b: Sex/Cappun for Non- Conservatives ( =the 2nd attribute of the CV) with paragraph below table. Now include hypothesis support statement. Summary: Summary statement of results Table 2: Crosstabulation of support for capital punishment by sex, with column percentages reported. Respondent’s Sex malefemaletotal Capital Punishment favor82.6%71.6%76.6% oppose17.4%28.4%23.4% total100.0% Pearson X 2 :p.<.000; Cramer’s V=.129 Source: 1996 GSS Tab subset

NEW PAGE] (Average: 4 pages) Discussion (SEE online paper skeleton for details) [ Introduction: Preview content, connect with previous section. Gender differences in DPS (Hypothesis # 1) Current findings relative to prior research For each hypothesis, reiterate, and expand if possible, the literature based rationale, inserting specific quantitative findings. Compare your results with those found in prior research. Theoretical explanations relevant to the findings At this point, we want to consider each of Stack’s categories of theoretical explanations as a possibility and note what is suggested for future research. DPS variations by political orientation (Hypothesis #2) Current findings relative to prior research Theoretical explanations relevant to the findings Gender differences in DPS among conservatives and non-conservatives (Hypothesis #3) Current findings relative to prior research Theoretical explanations relevant to the findings Summary: Summarize content; preview next section.

[NEW PAGE] (Average: 2-3 pages) Conclusion [FILL IN CONTENT AS PER CLASS DISCUSSION.] Introduction Review of the research Strengths of the research Weaknesses of the research Suggestion for future Summary

[NEW PAGE] References APA OR ASA STYLE THREE ARTICLES ONE CITATION FOR GSS INFORMATION IN THE METHODS SECTION