Research Methods for Criminal Justice

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

MICHAEL MONTGOMERY

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

MICHAEL MONTGOMERY