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Wrongful Convictions: Introduction: Sample Research Problems

RESEARCH QUESTION 1

Question 

When jurors are presented with an eyewitness identification, they tend to take the word of the witness. However, in recent years, there have been an increase in the interest in what types of information should be given to jurors in order to help them evaluate the identification in a proper way. Find a article that highlights how providing jurors with certain information that should change their view of the identification. Further, this article should includes research of how the information influenced the jurors. 

Now What...?

First, you should start out with a Google search about articles involving research relating to jurors evaluating eyewitness identification. After this, you should view your results, after reviewing your results, you should determine if there were any articles that popped up tht fit the description of the article that you need to find. Just doing a Google search of "journals about jurors evaluating eyewitness identification" will allow you to find different articles and journals about this topic. 

After looking at all the articles within this search, you will be able to determine which one best answers the questions you need. 

Under the secondary sources page, in the articles and journals section, there are various articles that would be helpful in answering this question.

RESEARCH QUESTION 2

Question 

In recent years, there have been an increase in the interest surrounding wrongful convictions. With this increase in interest, there have been many articles written about the leading causes of wrongful convictions. With all of that being said, find articles that identify the leading causes and provide some reform solutions and procedures that should be implemented. 

Now What...?

This question is pretty simple, but in order to find articles that discuss the leading causes, you have to find out what the leading causes are. This can be solved with a quick Google search. Which will provide you with a list of the leading causes of wrongful convictions. Which are mistaken eyewitness identification, jailhouse snitches, false confessions, prosecutorial misconduct, unreliable forensic science, and ineffective assistance of counsel. 

Next, you will need to literally just type into Google, "journals that discuss leading causes of wrongful convictions". This search will provide you with law review journals as well as articles that discusses all the leading causes. 

Under the secondary sources page, in the articles and journals section, there are various articles that would be helpful in answering this question.