Keep in mind that comps are a multiple choice test and these are not multiple choice questions.  However, if you can answer these questions you should be able to answer the multiple choice versions within comps.

Research Methods –

1. Define and discuss the Snow Ball sample.  Where would this type of sampling be appropriate?  How would we interpret the reliability and validity?  Use examples from the literature.
2. Evaluation research plays a big part in criminal justice policy.  Discuss this application.  Give examples of evaluation research from the literature.  Be sure to cover all aspects including the politics involved.
3. Design two methodological models:  One (Qualitative) and the other (Quantitative).  Use any type of example you wish!  Discuss issues of data collection, sampling, reliability, validity, ethics, and lessons that could be learned from possible inaccuracies of your methodology. 
4. Define and explain the rational of a “snowball” sample.  Design and discuss a research project that would utilize a “snowball” sampling strategy. 
5. Discuss the philosophy of probability sampling vs. non-probability sampling.  Please cover all aspects of why and how various samples are drawn and the positive and negative attributes of each.
6. Define and provide examples (good and bad) of validity and reliability
7. Define and fully discuss the process of “operationalization” in research.  Be sure to include a description of how the process evolves from theory, as well as, implications for both validity and reliability.
8. Using Laud Humphrey’s Tea Room Trade as an example, define and fully discuss the implications of “ethics” and “politics” in research.
9. You are responsible for the evaluation of police patrol officers for promotion.  Construct a workable evaluation methodology.  Include sample questions/questioners, etc.  Describe the whole process and the concepts and theoretical foundations for your testing.  What are you looking for and why?  Remember that a promotion evaluation could be challenged in court if conducted poorly.  Justify all of your methodology with this in mind.  Your conclusion should be a critical examination of the flaws of your plan..
10. Using the Marxian perspective of class conflict, construct a research methodology that would test this perspective.  Describe and define all examples of your hypothesis and all forms of operationalization.  Be sure to cite any previous examples of this research.  Your conclusions should reflect self-examination of the flaws of your methods.

 Legal

1. Define the exclusionary rule and give examples.  What are the arguments for and against the rule?  According to the U.S. Supreme Court today, what is the primary rationale for the exclusionary rule and is it a requirement of the constitution or a court made rule?  What are the consequences of viewing it as a constitutional requirements as compared to a court made rule? What is your opinion on the exclusionary rule?  Justify your position.
2. Define, compare and contrast qualified, absolute and sovereign immunity.  Give an example of absolute immunity.  In exactly what type of lawsuits do such immunities apply?  What is the purpose of such immunities?  What are the 3 basic requirements for executive branch criminal justice officials to have qualified immunity?  Give one detailed example of when a peace officer would have qualified immunity and one example where qualified immunity would not be available. 
3. Under Title 42 USC section 1983, what are the rules/situations in which a city or county would be liable for the acts of their employees?  Be sure to discuss cases, training, and hiring liability  and give examples.  Why are cities and counties liable in money damages for the acts of their employees while state governments are not so liable?  Do you agree or disagree with the US Supreme Court’s holdings on these matters?  Be sure to explain your position.
4. Discuss thoroughly the legal concept of qualified immunity under Title 42 USC section 1983.  Be sure to give examples, discuss cases, and the rationale for such immunity.  How does qualified immunity differ from absolute immunity?  Be sure to discuss the legal procedure called “summary judgment”.  In what types of situations would criminal justice personnel have absolute, as opposed to qualified immunity?
5. Under Title 42 USC section 1983, what are the rules/situations in which a city or county would be liable for the acts of their employees?  Be sure to discuss cases, training, and hiring liability  and give examples.  Why are cities and counties liable in money damages for the acts of their employees while state governments are not so liable?  Do you agree or disagree with the US Supreme Court’s holdings on these matters?  Be sure to explain your position.
6. What are the 3 components or elements of qualified immunity under Title 42 USC section 1983?  For each of the three, provide an example (factual situation) which would, and one which would not, entitle the officer to qualified immunity.  What is the origin/source of this immunity and what is its rationale?  Be sure to cite and discuss relevant cases.
7. As a suspect moves through the criminal justice system the constitutional source of their protection against excessive force changes.  Discuss the 3 main stages and the appropriate constitutional provisions and the standards they impose.  Provide an example (factual situation) for each stage that would be a constitutional violation and an example that would not be a violation.  The most recent US Supreme Court case on this issue is Saucier v. Katz.  Discuss this case and explain why you agree or disagree with that decision.
8. Under both federal law (42 USC sec. 1983) and Texas tort law, many criminal justice personnel who are sued may be able to establish “qualified immunity”.  Define this term and compare it with absolute immunity.  What are the purposes of such immunities?  What are the 3 components/requirements of qualified immunity?  Provide examples of each of the 3 that would and would not qualify.  How does the concept of good faith fit in with qualified immunity?  How is “good faith” defined under federal law?  De sure to discuss and provide examples.
9. Under 42 USC sec. 1983, when is a state government, county government, and/or city government liable for money damages to a plaintiff for wrongs committed by their employees?  Does the doctrine of “respondeat superior” apply?  De sure to discuss the Eleventh Amendment and the effect of sovereign and official (e.g. qualified) immunities on such liability.  Be sure to discuss cases and provide examples.
10. You are asked to give a brief presentation to police officers and supervisors on the basics of civil liability and immunity for police officers and agencies under federal laws (42 U.S.C. sec. 1983).  Your audience with include all levels of officers, including Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.  They want not only an explanation of the law, but also some practical suggestions on avoiding liability.  Be sure to explain/define the major concepts.  Give examples, especially of situations where there would be immunity and where there would not be immunity.  When is an agency liable for failure to train or train properly?  Write out a script of your presentation.
11. Discuss, define, compare and contrast (1) absolute, (2) qualified, and (3) derived judicial immunity under Texas tort law and 42 U.S.C. sec. 1983.  Provide examples of each where there would and would not be such immunity.  What are the purposes and benefits of such immunities?  What are the arguments against such immunities?

 Theory

1. Discuss the similarities and differences between the Classical School and the Positivist School of criminological thought.  Include the assumptions of each school, the theoretical leaders of each school, and the societal influences on each school.
2. Discuss why the Positivist School moved from biological to environmental explanations of crime.
3. There are 5 major paradigms in criminological theory.  Define each and give a detailed example of a theory that fits in each one.
4. How does Criminological theory fit into public policy on crime.  Use specific examples to demonstrate this role.
5. Discuss the Chicago School of Criminological theory.  Who were its leaders and how was this school of thought different from other schools of thought.
6. Discuss the anomic tendencies of the American dream and how these tendencies could influence criminal behavior.
7. A.  Discuss theory formulation and criteria for evaluating a theory.  B.  Now choose a theory and evaluate it according to those criteria.
8. Biological theories have largely been discounted, however they represented several important advances in our study of criminal behavior.  Discuss these advances and the reasons why these theories have been discounted.
9. Choose the theory you think best explains why persons commit murder.  Justify your choice.
10. What is an integrated theory and why do we have them?  Use an example to explain.
11. Choose an integrated theory to critique.  Does this theory represent an advance over the individual theories that it is made up of?  How?
12. How did the women's movement influence criminological theory?
13. What is the concept of social support and how does it contribute to promoting or preventing delinquency?
14. Which theory best explains juvenile delinquency?  What does this theory say about stopping or preventing this delinquency?
15. Which theory best explains adult criminality?  What does this theory say about stopping or preventing this criminality?
16. Describe Marxist theories.  What do these theories say about fixing the crime problem?  Is this a realistic solution?  Why or why not?
17. Describe in detail the theory you find most convincing for explaining crime.  What does this theory say about solving the crime problem?
18. Describe Strain theory in detail including the variety of different strain theories that exist.
19. There are three major disciplines from which Criminological theory is taken.  Describe in general terms the differences in theories that come from each discipline and then choose a particular theory from each discipline to describe in detail.
20. Discuss the following types of theories, including a summary of the varieties of each:  Learning theories, Cultural Transmission theories, and Anomie based theories.
21. What is the purpose of Criminal Justice theories?  What do they explain and how are they useful in the real world?
22. Most theories Most theories explain why people commit crimes. Describe in detail a theory that explains why people do not commit crimes.
23. Theories are often based on a particular conception of mankind. Describe the nature of mankind used in deterrence theory. Explain the details of deterrence theory and evaluate its potential to lessen crime.