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Abstract

• Purpose: Briefly describe the main objective of the research.

• Methods: Summarize the approach used to collect data (e.g., questionnaire distribution, participant demographics).

• Key Findings: Highlight the most significant findings from the questionnaire analysis.

• Implications: Mention the potential impact of the findings on the research topic.

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          This study explores the perspectives of CCU University students on the abolition of the death penalty, offering insights into generational attitudes amidst Taiwan's stand on capital punishment. A questionnaire was designed in nine closed-ended questions analyzed for statistical trends, and one open-ended question assessed thematically to capture deeper reasoning. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire distributed to 30 students, representing a diverse mix of genders, academic years, and disciplines. Findings showed that over half of the respondents opposed abolishing the death penalty, with 60.7% citing its deterrent effect on serious crimes and 53.6% emphasizing its role in delivering justice to victims and their families. Conversely, some participants favored life imprisonment, pointing to ethical concerns, risks of wrongful convictions, and its potential for long-term societal value. Practical considerations, such as the economic burden of life imprisonment and doubts about its enforcement, also emerged. This study underscores the complexity of the death penalty debate, influenced by moral, practical, and emotional factors, and highlights the importance of aligning the legal system with societal expectations to balance justice and human rights.

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I. Introduction

1. Background Information: Provide context for the topic, explaining its significance.

2. Research Problem or Objective: State the problem being addressed or the objective of the research.

3. Thesis Statement: Summarize the main argument or solution proposed in the paper.

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​              Looking back on 2024, several high-profile cases deeply shocked society. Victims' families cried heart-wrenchingly during interviews, evoking widespread public sympathy. Some individuals expressed their views online, advocating for the death penalty as a means to restore justice for the victims. If the death penalty remains part of the legal system, its enforcement can uphold justice and bring peace of mind. This issue is pivotal and merits thoughtful public attention and discourse. Developing a deep understanding of generational attitudes can help society shape Taiwan’s future legal landscape effectively. Therefore, this study explores the perspectives of college students at CCU, revealing their diverse opinions on the death penalty and its place in society.

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II. Methods

      1.    Participants: Describe the demographics of the respondents (e.g., age range, gender, occupation).
       2.    Questionnaire Design: Mention the types of questions used (e.g., Likert scale, multiple choice, open-ended).
       3.    Data Collection: Explain how the questionnaire was distributed (e.g., online, in-person) and the total number of responses collected.
       4.    Data Analysis: Mention how closed-ended questions and open-ended questions were analyzed.

 

        This study surveyed students from CCU University to explore their perspectives on the abolition of the death penalty. A total of 30 valid responses were collected. The gender distribution was 25% male and 75% female. Most of the participants were undergraduate students, including a variety of academic years, with a few graduated students, and primary divided in field of business (46.2%), arts and humanities (23.1%), non-major (15.4%). Others department including engineering, education, social sciences, natural sciences, and law. This diverse sample facilitated a comprehensive understanding of opinions across different major, year in college. Ensuring more experienced voices.

       The questionnaire comprised nine closed-ended questions and one open-ended question. The questions were grouped into sections based on their topics: Section One covered participants’ basic information, Section Two addressed “Opinions and Attitudes,” Section Three focused on the “Effects of the Death Penalty and Justice,” and Section Four explored “Alternatives and Social Impact.”

       The closed-ended questions were designed as multiple-choice options to capture specific stances. The open-ended question, part of the “Alternatives and Social Impact” section, aimed to gather more detailed and nuanced thoughts from participants. This allowed respondents to elaborate on their reasoning, providing deeper insights into their views.

      The questionnaire was distributed online via the researcher’s personal social media platform, Instagram. Data from the nine closed-ended questions were statistically analyzed to identify trends and differences in opinions among CCU students. Percentages and averages were calculated to summarize the findings. Responses to the open-ended question were analyzed thematically to uncover recurring themes and sentimentally to assess the emotional tone, such as positive, negative, or neutral attitudes, providing insight into participants’ emotional perspectives.

Direct quotations were included to highlight key insights and provide depth to the quantitative data.

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​III. Findings

       This section presents findings based on the questionnaire data. It aims to shows how questionnaire responses support your thesis (i.e., claim, proposition, prediction, or solution).

1. Closed-Ended Question Analysis

   • Overview: Highlight key patterns or trends observed in closed-ended questions.

   • Data Integration: Use statistics to support the argument or solution.

     • Example: "According to the survey, 65% of respondents indicated that they often procrastinate in their daily lives (see Figure 1)."

   • Include figures or charts as needed for clarity. 

2. Open-Ended Question Analysis

   • Thematic Analysis: Summarize common themes or insights from open-ended responses.

   • Quotations: Incorporate relevant respondent quotes to illustrate key points.

     • Example: “One participant commented, ‘I find it difficult to focus when working from home due to constant distractions.’”

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           1. Closed-Ended Question Analysis
                    Over 50% of the responses oppose Taiwan abolishing the death penalty. Furthermore, 32% of the respondents believe that life imprisonment is not a viable alternative to the death penalty. These findings reflect a clear opposition to the abolition of capital punishment. A deeper analysis of the reasons reveals that 60.7% of respondents view the death penalty as an effective deterrent against serious crimes such as murder. Additionally, 53.6% believe it provides justice for victims and their families. If the death penalty were abolished, 57.2% of respondents expressed concerns that Taiwan's public safety would be at risk.

           2. Open-Ended Question Analysis
                 Thematic Analysis (separate the responses into those accepting life imprisonment as an alternative solution and those rejecting it, and provide quotations from the responses.):
                  A.    Accepting Life Imprisonment
                         (1)  Moral, Ethical, and the potential for error Concerns
                             Example: "Because there is no justification for killing people." 
                             Example: "Humanity cannot preside over others' lives in the name of justice."
                             Example: "For cases with insufficient evidence or other possibilities, there is a chance for exoneration, but the death penalty is irreversible." 
                             Example: "Life imprisonment is more torturous than the death penalty."

                         (2)  Practical or Research Value: highlighting the utility of long-term incarceration, such as for criminology studies.
                               Example: "Imprisoning offenders until death has more societal value, like for crime prevention research." 

                  B.    Rejecting Life Imprisonment
                         (1)  Economic Concerns
                               Example: "It wastes taxpayers' money." 
                               Example: "Society doesn’t need to pay for the food and housing of life-term offenders." 

                         (2)  Deterrent Effect and Justice of the Death Penalty
                               Example: "The death penalty has a better effect than life imprisonment." 
                               Example: "The death penalty deters crimes and gives justice to victims' families."
                               Example: "Only the death penalty can provide justice to victims' families in some cases."
                               Example: "Some people expect life for a life as closure for families."

                          (3) Concerns About Parole and Re-Entry into Society: Skepticism about the enforcement of truly life sentences and fears of offenders returning to society.
                               Example: "Taiwan doesn’t have real life imprisonment; offenders can apply for parole after a certain number of years." 

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V. Discussion (Interpretation of Findings)

• Discuss how the data supports the thesis.

• Discuss how the data challenges the thesis.

• Highlight any unexpected or significant results that could influence the argument.

• Examples for presenting a counterargument: Introduce opposing viewpoints based on survey results or existing literature.

  • Example: "While many respondents found breaking down tasks into smaller goals helpful, 20% of respondents argued that this approach led to excessive planning without real action."

• Example of a rebuttal: Address the counterargument and explain why the original argument still holds stronger ground.

  • Example: "However, further analysis suggests that those who struggled with task breakdown were not following recommended goal-setting strategies effectively."

         

           The data supports the thesis that the death penalty remains a contentious issue with strong public sentiment against its abolition. A significant majority of respondents (60.7%) believe that the death penalty effectively deters serious crimes, and 53.6% see it as reflective of justice for victims and their families. These findings underline the public's reliance on capital punishment as both a preventive measure and a mechanism for retributive justice, validating the argument that it holds a critical place in Taiwan's criminal justice system.               Conversely, the data also challenges the thesis by revealing a subset of respondents who advocate for life imprisonment as an alternative, emphasizing moral and ethical concerns as well as the irreversible nature of wrongful executions. Responses like "Life imprisonment is more torturous than the death penalty" suggest that life sentences can also serve as a potent deterrent, potentially reducing reliance on capital punishment.Unexpectedly, even among those advocating for abolition, practical concerns such as the cost of sustaining life-term offenders and doubts about the effectiveness of life imprisonment surfaced prominently. These nuanced perspectives highlight that the debate is not solely a matter of morality but also involves pragmatic considerations, offering a broader context that could significantly shape public and policy discussions.

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VI. Conclusion

1.    Restated Thesis: Mention the purpose of this paper 
2.    Summary of Findings: Provide a brief summary of the key results from the data analysis.
3.    Implications of This Study: Discuss the implications of the findings or questions that emerged for further research. This can be expanded in the final draft.
 

​VI. References

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VII. Appendices 

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