Research Methods for Criminal Justice
Author(s): MICHAEL MONTGOMERY
Edition: 2
Copyright: 2022
Pages: 138
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Teaching and learning research methods can be an arduous task, especially if students do not have a clear understanding and acceptance of why learning the skills of conducting research and the knowledge obtained from reading research are so important to their academic and career development.
Research Methods for Criminal Justice is designed for undergraduate students pursuing a degree in criminal justice. It presents the knowledge, skills, and vocabulary centering on criminal justice research, but particularly with an assignment of presenting a research proposal as a semester project.
It contains a feature to guide the student toward the completion of a research proposal in the order of the chapters entitled, “Student Proposal Progress.” A research proposal is clearly not the type of paper that students should attempt to complete in the week before it is due. A methodic progression through the proposal will result in a much better product and one that the student can be proud to submit.
In addition, it includes some special sections to assist students with learning how to conduct research. These special sections contain terms that are important to learn and will result in a glossary at the end of the text.
Preface
CHAPTER 1 Why Do We Need to Learn How Research is Conducted?
The Purpose of Research in Criminal Justice
Developing Critical Thinking Skills
Curiosity and Academic Achievement
The Scientific Method
Research Strategies
The Research Circle
Errors in Human Inquiry
Inaccurate Observation
Selective Observation
Overgeneralization
CHAPTER 2 Picking a Research Topic in Criminal Justice
Why are You Majoring in Criminal Justice?
What are Your Specific Interests in Criminal Justice?
Examine Your Texts and Talk to Your Instructors
Narrowing the Topic
What Problem Do You Want to Address?
Issues Related to Picking a Topic
Finding Resources in Your Area of Interest
Other Resources
CHAPTER 3 All Research Starts with a Research Question
Formulating a Research Question
All Research Begins With a Research Question
Your Question Must Contain an Independent Variable(s) and a Dependent Variable(s)
Conceptualization and Operationalization of Variables
Units of Analysis
Levels of Measurement of Variables
Can Empirical Research Methods Be Used to Answer All Questions?
Examples of Research Questions
CHAPTER 4 Literature Reviews
Introduction to Literature Reviews
What is a Literature Review?
Rules for the Writing of Literature Reviews
Tips for a Quality Literature Review
CHAPTER 5 Acquiring Data
Methods of Acquiring Data?
Quantitative Data Collection
Collecting Data with the Use of Surveys
Other types of Survey Methods
Missing Data
Secondary Data
Qualitative Data Collection
Interviews
Observation
CHAPTER 6 Sampling Procedures
Introduction to Sampling
Probability Sampling
Simple Random Sampling
Systematic Random Sampling
Stratified Random Sampling
Cluster Sampling
Non-Probability Sampling
Purposive Sampling
Quota Sampling
Snowball Sampling
Convenience Sampling
The Importance of Sampling
CHAPTER 7 Quantitative Research
Introduction to Quantitative Research
Criminal Justice Research Philosophies
Quantitative Research
Indexes and Scales
Indexes
Scales
Bogardus Social Distance Scale
Mixed Methods Research
Experiments
Threats to Internal Validity
Quasi-Experiment
Other type of Experiments
Meta-Analysis
Secondary Data
Issues with Quantitative Research
CHAPTER 8 Qualitative Research
Introduction to Qualitative Research
Types of Qualitative Research
Field Research
Interviews
Content Analysis
Case Study
Historiography
Issues with Qualitative Research
CHAPTER 9 Research Designs
Introduction to Research Designs
Quantitative Designs
Descriptive Designs – Cross Sectional and Longitudinal
Correlational Studies
Experiments – Cause and Effect
Survey Research
Evaluation Research
Mixed Methods Research
Cost Benefit Analysis
Qualitative Designs
Interviews and Focus Groups
Case Studies
Ethnographies
Historiographies
CHAPTER 10 Ethics in Research
Introduction
Honesty in Research
Changing Data
A Brief History of Unethical Research Studies
The IRB Application Process
Preventing Harm
Letters of Cooperation
Deception
CHAPTER 11 Evaluation Research
Introduction to Evaluation Research
The Purposes of Evaluation Research
The Five Purposes
Formative Processes
Summative Processes
The Evaluation Process – Step by Step
CHAPTER 12 Using Surveys to Collect Data
Introduction to the Use of Surveys
Designing a Survey
The Use of Open-ended or Closed-ended Questions
Scenarios and Vignettes
Acquiring Consent for a Survey
Surveys Other than Face-to Face
Pretesting of Surveys
Advantages and Disadvantages of Surveys as Instruments of Data Collection
CHAPTER 13 Analysis of Data
Introduction to Analysis of Data
Quantitative Data
Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
Descriptive Statistics
Show a Frequency Distribution
Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Dispersion or Variability
Inferential Statistics
Presenting Your Quantitative Data
- Pie Chart
- Bar Chart
- Histogram
- Frequency Polygon
- Other Charts and Graphs
Common Inferential Statistics
Statistics for Nominal and Ordinal Level Variables
Statistics for Interval and Ratio Level Variables
Qualitative Research Analysis
Understanding Our Task
Entering the Data
CHAPTER 14 Writing a Research Proposal
Introduction to Research Proposal Writing
Sections of the Typical Research Proposal
Research Paper Format
Suggested Headings and Subheadings for Research Proposal
Teaching and learning research methods can be an arduous task, especially if students do not have a clear understanding and acceptance of why learning the skills of conducting research and the knowledge obtained from reading research are so important to their academic and career development.
Research Methods for Criminal Justice is designed for undergraduate students pursuing a degree in criminal justice. It presents the knowledge, skills, and vocabulary centering on criminal justice research, but particularly with an assignment of presenting a research proposal as a semester project.
It contains a feature to guide the student toward the completion of a research proposal in the order of the chapters entitled, “Student Proposal Progress.” A research proposal is clearly not the type of paper that students should attempt to complete in the week before it is due. A methodic progression through the proposal will result in a much better product and one that the student can be proud to submit.
In addition, it includes some special sections to assist students with learning how to conduct research. These special sections contain terms that are important to learn and will result in a glossary at the end of the text.
Preface
CHAPTER 1 Why Do We Need to Learn How Research is Conducted?
The Purpose of Research in Criminal Justice
Developing Critical Thinking Skills
Curiosity and Academic Achievement
The Scientific Method
Research Strategies
The Research Circle
Errors in Human Inquiry
Inaccurate Observation
Selective Observation
Overgeneralization
CHAPTER 2 Picking a Research Topic in Criminal Justice
Why are You Majoring in Criminal Justice?
What are Your Specific Interests in Criminal Justice?
Examine Your Texts and Talk to Your Instructors
Narrowing the Topic
What Problem Do You Want to Address?
Issues Related to Picking a Topic
Finding Resources in Your Area of Interest
Other Resources
CHAPTER 3 All Research Starts with a Research Question
Formulating a Research Question
All Research Begins With a Research Question
Your Question Must Contain an Independent Variable(s) and a Dependent Variable(s)
Conceptualization and Operationalization of Variables
Units of Analysis
Levels of Measurement of Variables
Can Empirical Research Methods Be Used to Answer All Questions?
Examples of Research Questions
CHAPTER 4 Literature Reviews
Introduction to Literature Reviews
What is a Literature Review?
Rules for the Writing of Literature Reviews
Tips for a Quality Literature Review
CHAPTER 5 Acquiring Data
Methods of Acquiring Data?
Quantitative Data Collection
Collecting Data with the Use of Surveys
Other types of Survey Methods
Missing Data
Secondary Data
Qualitative Data Collection
Interviews
Observation
CHAPTER 6 Sampling Procedures
Introduction to Sampling
Probability Sampling
Simple Random Sampling
Systematic Random Sampling
Stratified Random Sampling
Cluster Sampling
Non-Probability Sampling
Purposive Sampling
Quota Sampling
Snowball Sampling
Convenience Sampling
The Importance of Sampling
CHAPTER 7 Quantitative Research
Introduction to Quantitative Research
Criminal Justice Research Philosophies
Quantitative Research
Indexes and Scales
Indexes
Scales
Bogardus Social Distance Scale
Mixed Methods Research
Experiments
Threats to Internal Validity
Quasi-Experiment
Other type of Experiments
Meta-Analysis
Secondary Data
Issues with Quantitative Research
CHAPTER 8 Qualitative Research
Introduction to Qualitative Research
Types of Qualitative Research
Field Research
Interviews
Content Analysis
Case Study
Historiography
Issues with Qualitative Research
CHAPTER 9 Research Designs
Introduction to Research Designs
Quantitative Designs
Descriptive Designs – Cross Sectional and Longitudinal
Correlational Studies
Experiments – Cause and Effect
Survey Research
Evaluation Research
Mixed Methods Research
Cost Benefit Analysis
Qualitative Designs
Interviews and Focus Groups
Case Studies
Ethnographies
Historiographies
CHAPTER 10 Ethics in Research
Introduction
Honesty in Research
Changing Data
A Brief History of Unethical Research Studies
The IRB Application Process
Preventing Harm
Letters of Cooperation
Deception
CHAPTER 11 Evaluation Research
Introduction to Evaluation Research
The Purposes of Evaluation Research
The Five Purposes
Formative Processes
Summative Processes
The Evaluation Process – Step by Step
CHAPTER 12 Using Surveys to Collect Data
Introduction to the Use of Surveys
Designing a Survey
The Use of Open-ended or Closed-ended Questions
Scenarios and Vignettes
Acquiring Consent for a Survey
Surveys Other than Face-to Face
Pretesting of Surveys
Advantages and Disadvantages of Surveys as Instruments of Data Collection
CHAPTER 13 Analysis of Data
Introduction to Analysis of Data
Quantitative Data
Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
Descriptive Statistics
Show a Frequency Distribution
Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Dispersion or Variability
Inferential Statistics
Presenting Your Quantitative Data
- Pie Chart
- Bar Chart
- Histogram
- Frequency Polygon
- Other Charts and Graphs
Common Inferential Statistics
Statistics for Nominal and Ordinal Level Variables
Statistics for Interval and Ratio Level Variables
Qualitative Research Analysis
Understanding Our Task
Entering the Data
CHAPTER 14 Writing a Research Proposal
Introduction to Research Proposal Writing
Sections of the Typical Research Proposal
Research Paper Format
Suggested Headings and Subheadings for Research Proposal