Research is of crucial importance to the field of criminal justice, helping to ensure that the industry keeps pace with the constant evolution of society and technology. At any given time, the faculty in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies are actively engaged in conducting research across a variety of settings. Some of these include funded studies and others are driven by pure interest; each with the intent of producing pilot data that can be used to apply for funding. For example:

• Robert D’Ovidio, PhD, recently completed a federally funded study of identity theft related to corporate data breaches.
• Robert Kane, PhD, has conducted a randomized controlled trial that examined the effects of the Taser on cognitive functioning.
• Jordan Hyatt, PhD, is working on several federally funded projects, mostly in the areas of juvenile justice and alternatives to long-term (and repeat) incarceration.

Undergraduate Criminological Research

Though their research interests are varied, our criminology and justice studies research faculty all share the same goal of including undergraduate students in their research projects. This can be accomplished in a number of ways: Students may take an independent study with a faculty member to work on his/her research project over an academic term; or they may get hired by the faculty member for a research co-op to work on a funded project for an extended period. Students may also partner with a Criminology and Justice Studies faculty member as part of the Drexel University STAR scholars program.

The benefits of undergraduate students conducting criminal justice research with faculty are vast. First, for students with an interest in graduate school, it gives them an opportunity to collect and analyze data as part of an actual research project (often as a member of a larger research team), which makes them more competitive and competent during the graduate school application process.

For all students, conducting research with faculty more fully develops their knowledge of research methods, analysis, and a specialized substantive area (e.g., policing, technology and crime, urban victimization, etc.), which enhances their overall educational experience.

Finally, students who work on faculty research project typically become more engaged with their academic department, leading to productive working relationships with faculty outside the classroom, and more detailed (and positive) letters of recommendation upon graduation. Many of our undergraduate students can attest to the importance of research in criminal justice as part of their degree program.

Students interested in conducting criminal justice undergraduate research with our faculty members should contact either the Criminology and Justice Studies Academic Advisor, Mica Storer, at mls46@drexel.edu , or individual faculty members.

Learn More About the Criminology & Justice Studies Degree

Ready to get started with criminological research? Visit the BS in Criminology and Justice Studies page to learn more.