Full Description
Research is powerful because it impacts decision-making in virtually every part of our lives, and it is critical for making informed decisions. The process of deciding what criteria matter most to you before ultimately making a decision is an example of using research to make the best decision possible. This also applies to making decisions in the criminal justice field.Criminal Justice Research Methods explores the why, what, and how of research methods by focusing on topics such as:
Connecting theory to criminal justice research
Conceptualization and measurement
Sampling
The experiment and causation
Survey research
Secondary data analysis
Qualitative research
Mixed methods Evaluation research
Contents
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: The Why, What, and How of Research Methods
Introduction
The Impact of Criminal Justice Research
The Language of Research
Consuming Research
Why Research is Not as Daunting as You May Think
Doing Research
Approaches to Research
Getting Started
Class Activities
Chapter 2: Connecting Theory to Criminal Justice Research
Theory and Juvenile Justice
Introduction
Social Science and Theory
History
Evolution of Modern Criminological Theory
Terminology
Definitions
Conclusion
Class Activities
Chapter 3: Research Ethic
Introduction
History of Research Ethics
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study
The Holocaust
Post-WW II Fieldwork: Milgram, Zimbardo, Kinsey, and Humphreys
The Case for Covert Research in the Field
The Ethical End Products
Conclusion
Class Activities
Chapter 4: Conceptualization and Measurement
Introduction
Concepts
Variables and the Process of Operationalization
Types of Variables
Levels of Measurement
Composite Measures
Validity and Reliability
Class Activities
Chapter 5: Sampling Strategies
Introduction
Bias
Specific Types of Sampling: Definitions and When to Use Them
Why Sampling Methods are so Important in Research Methods
Class Activities
Chapter 6: The Experiment and Causation
Introduction
Causation
Another Example of Correlation Not Being Causation. Can you Explain?
The True Experimental Design
An Example of a True Experimental Research Project
Validity and Validity Threats (Internal)
External Validity Threats
Reliability
So Many Threats
Quasi-Experimental Design
Natural Experiments
Pre-Experimental Research Designs
Class Activities
Chapter 7: Survey Research
Introduction
Survey Research
History and Survey Research
Survey Design
Developing Research Questions
National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)—Uniform Crime Report (UCR)
Sampling
Critiques of Survey Research in Criminology
Analyzing Survey Data
Class Activities
Chapter 8: Secondary Data Analysis
Introduction
What are Primary and Secondary Data?
All Data Analysis Tools
NCVS Victimization Analysis Tool (NVAT)
Forms and Types of Data
Content Analysis
Advantages and Disadvantages of Secondary Data
The Future of Secondary Data Sourcing
Class Activities
Chapter 9: Qualitative Research
Introduction
Forming the Research Question
Finding a Topic
Participant Observation
Ethnographic or Ethnography
Case Studies
Class Activities
Chapter 10: Mixed Methods
Defining Mixed Methods
Example of a Mixed Methods Inquiry
Advantages of Using a Mixed Methods Design in Criminal Justice/Criminology
Investigating a Theoretical Perspective
Mixed Methods are the Intersection of Quantitative and Qualitative Methodology
Conclusion
Class Activities
Chapter 11: Evaluation Research
Evaluation Research
Policy Analysis
Class Activities
Chapter 12: Decolonizing Methodologies and the Future of Criminal Justice Research
Producing Research and Producing Knowledge
Introduction
Decolonizing Methodologies
Differing Rationales
History
Indigenous Methodologies
Conclusion
Class Activities
Chapter 13: The Research Report
Definition of the Research Report
The Format of Your Research Report
Another Example
Conclusion
Class Activities
Glossary
Index
