Chapter 1 - Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods, 2nd Edition

Chapter 1 Criminal Justice and Criminology Research: Mapping the Terrain Knowledge-Power Dynamic The idea that knowledge generates power and, conversely power generates knowledge. 2 KNOWLEDGE POWER GENERATES GENERATES What is Crime & Justice Research? Research promotes the production of credible knowledge. Crime and Justice Research refers to: a collection of social science methods applied systematically to generate knowledge about crime and justice phenomenon 3 Relevance of Research Generating knowledge is interesting and rewarding. Sharpens critical thinking. Promotes critical consumption of knowledge. Key to becoming a proficient researcher. Beneficial in today’s workplace. 4 What to Research? Objects of Study refers to: the specific crime and justice phenomena that we decide to research. Crime and Justice Phenomena includes: topics, issues, and questions that revolve around crime, crime control, criminal justice, and criminology 5 Who are the Researchers? 1. Professors in academia 2. Professors in practice (expert witness) 3. Governmental Researchers 4. Practitioner-Based Researchers 5. Journalists 6. Students 6 Research Paradigms 7 Quantitative Numerical Data Statistical Relationships Deductive Qualitative Words & Visual Data Patterns & Themes Inductive Mixed Methods Research Collecting Quantitative Data 1. Experimental Research A method that divides people being studied into two or more groups, applying a treatment to one of the groups, and determining if there are any differences in the reaction of the groups over a set period of time. 8 Collecting Quantitative Data 2. Survey and Interview Research A method that uses a written questionnaire or formal interview to gather quantitative data on the backgrounds, behaviors, beliefs, or attitudes of a large number of people or agencies. 9 Collecting Quantitative Data 3. Nonreactive Research The unobtrusive collection of data that have usually been left behind by others. 10 Collecting Quantitative Data 4. Existing Documents/Statistics Research A method that involves the collection and reanalysis of existing quantitative data. 11 Collecting Quantitative Data 5. Content Analysis A nonreactive method used to examine the content, or information and symbols, contained in written documents or other communication media. 12 Collecting Qualitative Data 1. Ethnographic Field Research A method in which the researcher engages the natural environment of their subjects and strives for an up close, personal, and highly detailed understanding of the research subjects’ culture. 13 2. Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) A nonreactive method that attempts to make theoretical sense of documents (text or visual) by analyzing their cultural meaning. 14 Collecting Qualitative Data Collecting Qualitative Data 3. Historical Research A method that examines past events systematically in an effort to accurately describe and account for what has happened in the past. 15 Collecting Qualitative Data 4. Historical Comparative Research A method that examines aspects of social and political life across different cultures and eras. 16 Collecting Qualitative Data 5. Academic Legal Research The systematic collection and analysis of legal-related documents in order to generate knowledge about a given crime and justice subject. 17 Mixing Quantitative and Qualitative Mixed Methods Research A mixture of quantitative and qualitative techniques in a single study or series of studies on the same topic 18 Why Conduct Research? 19 Basic Research A genre of research that generates knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Disinterested Knowledge Applied Research A genre of research where a study is conducted to address a specific concern or to offer solutions to a problem. Evidence-based Practice Four Purposes of Research 1. Exploratory Research To examine a little understood issue or phenomenon to develop new ideas and move toward refined research questions. 20 Four Purposes of Research 2. Descriptive Research To “paint” a picture using words or numbers and present a profile, a classification or types, or an outline of steps to answer the questions such as who, when, where, or how. 21 Four Purposes of Research 3. Explanatory Research To explain why events occur and to build, elaborate, or test a theory. 22 Four Purposes of Research 4. Evaluation Research To assess the effectiveness of a program, policy, or way of doing something. 23