Full Description
Fundamentals of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice introduces students to the research methods by integrating in-depth research examples into each chapter, highlighting researchers' decision-making processes, and demonstrating the importance of research. This briefer version of Ronet D. Bachman and Russell K. Schutt's best-selling The Practice of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice simplifies complex concepts with examples found in everyday experiences from the criminology and criminal justice professions. The Sixth Edition includes coverage of newly popular research methods, enhanced tools for learning in the text and online, and contemporary research examples. The text is now available for the first time in Sage Vantage, an easy-to-use learning platform that includes knowledge checks, end-of-chapter quizzes, key concept videos, data activities, and other interactive tools to support student learning.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Science, Society, and Research Related to Criminal Justice and Criminology
Reasoning About the Social World
Types of Research Questions
Alternative Research Orientations
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
Highlighting a Few Specific Types of Research Methods
Doing Research in a Diverse Society
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 2: The Process and Problems of Research
The Research Process
The Role of Theory
Social Research Strategies
Social Research Standards
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 3: Ethical Guidelines for Research
Historical Background of Ethics in Research
Ethical Principles
Research Involving Special Populations: Children and Those Under Correctional Supervision
Research on the Web: Contemporary Ethical Issues
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 4: Conceptualization and Measurement
Concepts and Conceptualization
Overview of Basic Measurement Tools
Did We Measure What We Wanted to Measure—Are They Valid?
Are Our Measures Reliable?
A Comment on Measurement in a Diverse Society
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 5: Sampling
Sample Planning
Probability Sampling Methods
Nonprobability Sampling Methods
Purposive or Judgment Sampling
Units of Analysis and Errors in Causal Reasoning
The Ecological Fallacy and Reductionism
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 6: Causation and Experimentation
Causal Explanations
Criteria for Nomothetic Causal Explanations
A True Experimental Design
What If a True Experiment Isn't Possible? Quasi-Experimental Designs
What Are the Threats to Internal Validity and Generalizability in Experiments?
Generalizability
The Element of Time in Research
How Do Experimenters Protect Their Subjects?
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 7: Survey Research
What Is a Survey?
Questionnaire Development and Assessment
Writing Survey Questions: More Difficult Than You Think!
Additional Guidelines for Closed-Ended Questions
Other Issues in Questionnaire Development
Survey Designs
Ethical Issues in Survey Research
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 8: Qualitative Methods and Data Analysis
Fundamentals of Qualitative Methods
Participant Observation
Steps in Participant Observation Research
Systematic Observation
Intensive Interviewing
Focus Groups
Analyzing Qualitative Data
Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 9: Analyzing Content and Police Data: Social-Network Analysis, Crime Mapping, Big Data, and Content Analysis
Analyzing Secondary Data
Social-Network Analysis
Crime Mapping
Big Data
Content Analysis
Ethical Issues When Analyzing Available Data and Content
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 10: Evaluation and Policy Analysis
A Brief History of Evaluation Research
Evaluation Basics
Questions for Evaluation Research
Design Decisions
Strengths of Randomized Experimental Designs in Impact Evaluations
Increasing Demand for Evidence-Based Policy
Ethics in Evaluation
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 11: Mixed-Methods and Assessing Findings Across Studies
What Are Mixed Methods?
Types of Mixed-Methods Designs
Comparing Results Across Studies
Ethics and Mixed Methods
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Chapter 12: Summarizing and Reporting Research
Research Report Goals
Types of Research Reports
Displaying Data
Ethics, Politics, and Reporting Research
Conclusion
Key Terms
Highlights
Exercises
Appendix A: Questions to Ask About A Research Article
Appendix B: How to Read a Research Article
Appendix C: How to Use a Statistical Package: SPSS
Appendix D: How to Use a Qualitative Analysis Package
Appendix E: How to Use a Data Spreadsheet: Excel
Appendix F: Quantitative Data Analysis
Appendix G: Data Sets
Glossary
References
Index
