In any academic writing, it is appropriate to use the word you, as in: When you read the research, you know that the death penalty does not deter crime.

Have you read any academic writing? What class is this for?

The answer to to life, the universe and everything is 24.

In general it should be avoided in formal, academic writing. There is almost always a way to make your writing crisper, for example that sentence could be written: "Research shows that the death penalty does not deter crime." This is less wordy and a more direct and powerful statement.

Nah, I wouldn't write it that way. It could be reworded without using the word "you."