gun control, teen violence, and poverty

Identify how this selection relates to your academic and professional pursuits.

Thesis: Write a direct and concise thesis statement, which will become the point or perspective you will argue or prove in the Final Research Paper.

Annotated Bibliography: Please make sure to cite each source using APA style.  After each citation, write a brief paragraph (around 150 words) summarizing the source and examining how it will support you in defending your argument.  For more information and example of an annotated bibliography, please refer to section 7.7 in the Ashford Writing Center within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar in your online course.

Academic research and papers must meet certain standards of quality recognized by the academic community. What constitutes quality, academic research?

Primary sources, which are documents from the time period being discussed
Secondary sources supported by research in primary sources
Credible sources (experts in the area of study)
Relevant research (materials are pertinent to the area of study)
The use of peer-reviewed journal articles (journal articles reviewed by recognized experts in the relevant field of study) is required.
Educational and Government websites may be appropriate in some cases, but should be evaluated carefully.
The paper must be five to seven pages in length (excluding the title pages) and formatted according to APA style. You must use at least five scholarly sources, three of which can be found in the Ashford Online Library, to support your points. Of the five sources, two will be your primary sources, and one will meet the multimedia requirement. For information regarding APA, including samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar in your online course.