Scam Types: Mapping the Terrain

¶ … Scam Types: Mapping the Terrain of Cyber Crime (2011), author Golden demonstrates strengths in providing sharp insights and a good command of editing skills. However, there are some areas that could use improvement.

In the introduction Golden states that "the purpose of this paper is to descriptively analyze the article and to summarize the intended audience, the purpose of the paper or motivation, the detailed report analysis, the methodology of the research conducted, a description of the 7 determined scam genres, and finally a conclusion to summarize the findings" (p. 1). The purpose should be concise and direct. I would suggest shortening it and creating a statement that doesn't outline the paper, but directly states what the purpose of the paper is to make it clear for the reader. Also on page one the "three separate categories" mentioned are directly copied from the article, but aren't placed in quotations. This could be construed as improper formatting for APA style or even as plagiarism, so I would suggest revising or reformatting here.

In the body of the paper I thought it was particularly insightful that Golden stated that the seven genres in the article provide "a standard framework that could possibly be the way of the future" and that the Intended Audience section, though brief, was accurate (p. 1). The Motivation section of the essay on page two could be improved by reducing redundancies and by removing any personal aspects mentioned within the paper. The concluding sentence for this section regarding "changes in technology for good and that for bad…" is unclear (p. 3). Perhaps Golden could revisit what s/he was trying to convey and restate.

The sections: Report Analysis and the Methodology of the Analyzed Research and Results were the best-written sections of the paper. The facts and figures are powerful and persuasive. However, the second paragraph of the Report Analysis serves as filler as it simply strays from the topic. I would suggest deleting this paragraph. The concluding paragraph is also in need of improvements to clarity. The entire section of the Analyzed Research and Results demonstrate good analytical skills and is well supported by the direct information about the methodology and validity of the research.

Golden's writing is good overall and shows the ability to construct a good analysis, but I would advise on staying on topic, clarifying purpose, reducing repetition and redundancy and including enough detail to support the argument within the article being analyzed.

A Peer Review of the Reality of Cybercrime Paper

In the Introduction to the Reality of Cybercrime Arce (2011) states that "The threat of cybercrime is of growing concern in our society…" (p. 1). This provides an attention-getting technique that is highly effective. The entire introduction follows suit and lays the foundation for the analysis. The reader has automatic buy-in due to the personal nature of how Arce relates the topic to the average daily consumer of digital media. For example, s/he states that "It is our responsibility as a society to prepare ourselves by taking the necessary countermeasures in order to prevent these types of attacks from occurring and unfortunately when they do occur, punish those to the fullest extent the law permits" (p. 1) the only suggested improvement for the introductory paragraph is to work on basic editing. For example, terms like 'full scale" and "law maker" need to be revised as "full-scale" and "lawmaker."