Criminal Justice Research Methods
Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
Published on 10. February 2000
Book
Hardback
515 pages
978-0-205-28710-9 (ISBN)
Description
Adapted from the popular text by Neuman, Research Methods, this up-to-date, comprehensive text offers a thorough discussion of qualitative and quantitative research methods. The authors discuss the underlying logic of each approach as well as how to collect and analyze data for each. The text shows students the larger context in which criminal justice science is utilized, helping them see the importance of making alternative philosophical assumptions when conducting research. The interdependence between theory and method and comparative examples are emphasized throughout. The text gives students the solid foundation necessary to continue their study of methodology or to utilize it in applied settings.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 245 mm
Width: 185 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
952 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-205-28710-9 (9780205287109)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Each chapter begins with "Introduction" and concludes with "Conclusion," "Key Terms," "Review Questions," "Notes," and "Recommended Readings." I.CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY.
1.Science and Research.
Alternatives to Criminological Research.
How Science Works.
Steps of the Research Process.
Qualitative and Quantitative Research.
Why Conduct Research?
2.Dimensions of Research.
Dimensions of Research.
Data Collection Techniques Used.
3.Theory and Research.
What Is Theory?
Social Theory versus Ideology.
The Parts of Theory.
Fact versus Theory.
Theories.
Theory and Research: The Dynamic Duo.
4.Questions of Methodology.
The Three Approaches.
Positivist Criminology.
Interpretive Criminology.
Critical Criminology.
Expanding Critical/Comparative Criminology: Feminist and Postmodern Approaches.
5.Reading Other People's Research.
Reasons to Conduct a Literature Review.
Where to Find the Research Literature.
How to Conduct a Systematic Review.
What a Good Review Looks Like Once It Is Written.
II.RESEARCH USING QUANTITATIVE DATA.
6.Quantitative Research Designs.
Learning the Language of Variables and Hypotheses.
Selecting and Refining Research Topics.
Example Studies.
7.Quantitative Criminological Measurement.
Why Measure?
Measurement and Research Design.
Reliability and Validity.
Relationship between Reliability and Validity.
Levels of Measurement.
Introduction to Measurement Theory.
The Principle of Heterogeneous Observation.
Specialized Measures: Scales and Indexes.
Index Construction.
Scales.
Special Indicators.
Specialized Techniques for Index and Scale Construction.
8.Experimental Research.
Random Assignment.
Experimental Design Logic.
Internal and External Validity.
Practical Considerations.
Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons.
A Word on Ethics.
9.Sampling.
Types of Sampling.
How Large Should a Sample Be?
Drawing Inferences.
10.Survey Research.
The Logic of Survey Research.
Constructing the Questionnaire.
Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages.
Interviewing.
The Ethical Survey.
11.Nonreactive Research and Available Data.
Nonreactive Measurement.
Content Analysis.
Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis.
Issues of Inference and Theory Testing.
12.Analyzing Quantitative Data.
Dealing with Data.
Results with One Variable.
Results with Two Variables.
More Than Two Variables.
Inferential Statistics.
III.RESEARCH USING QUALITATIVE DATA.
13.Qualitative Research Design.
The Qualitative Orientation.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research.
Complementary Evidence.
Example Studies.
14.Field Research.
The Logic of Field Research.
Choosing a Site and Gaining Access.
Relations in the Field.
Observing and Collecting Data.
The Field Research Interview.
Leaving the Field.
Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research.
15.Historical-Comparative Research.
The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research.
Steps in a Historical-Comparative Research Project.
Data and Evidence in Historical Context.
Comparative Research.
Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research.
Ethics.
16.Analyzing Qualitative Data.
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis.
Concept Formation.
Methods of Qualitative Data Analysis.
What Is Missing, or the Importance of Negative Evidence.
Diagrams and Other Tools.
IV.FINAL CONSIDERATIONS.
17.Ethical and Political Issues in Criminological Research.
Ethical Concerns and the Individual Researcher.
Ethical Issues Involving Research Subjects.
Ethics and the Scientific Community.
Ethics and the Sponsors of Research.
Ethics of the Larger Society or Government.
The Dissemination and Use of Research Findings.
Objectivity and Value Freedom.
APPENDICES.
Appendix A: A Table of Randomly Selected Five-Digit Numbers.
Appendix B: The Research Report and Proposals.
The Writing Process.
The Quantitative Research Report.
The Qualitative Research Report.
The Research Proposal.
Appendix C: Computers in Criminological Research.
How Computers Help the Social Researcher.
Bibliography.
Name Index.
Subject Index.
1.Science and Research.
Alternatives to Criminological Research.
How Science Works.
Steps of the Research Process.
Qualitative and Quantitative Research.
Why Conduct Research?
2.Dimensions of Research.
Dimensions of Research.
Data Collection Techniques Used.
3.Theory and Research.
What Is Theory?
Social Theory versus Ideology.
The Parts of Theory.
Fact versus Theory.
Theories.
Theory and Research: The Dynamic Duo.
4.Questions of Methodology.
The Three Approaches.
Positivist Criminology.
Interpretive Criminology.
Critical Criminology.
Expanding Critical/Comparative Criminology: Feminist and Postmodern Approaches.
5.Reading Other People's Research.
Reasons to Conduct a Literature Review.
Where to Find the Research Literature.
How to Conduct a Systematic Review.
What a Good Review Looks Like Once It Is Written.
II.RESEARCH USING QUANTITATIVE DATA.
6.Quantitative Research Designs.
Learning the Language of Variables and Hypotheses.
Selecting and Refining Research Topics.
Example Studies.
7.Quantitative Criminological Measurement.
Why Measure?
Measurement and Research Design.
Reliability and Validity.
Relationship between Reliability and Validity.
Levels of Measurement.
Introduction to Measurement Theory.
The Principle of Heterogeneous Observation.
Specialized Measures: Scales and Indexes.
Index Construction.
Scales.
Special Indicators.
Specialized Techniques for Index and Scale Construction.
8.Experimental Research.
Random Assignment.
Experimental Design Logic.
Internal and External Validity.
Practical Considerations.
Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons.
A Word on Ethics.
9.Sampling.
Types of Sampling.
How Large Should a Sample Be?
Drawing Inferences.
10.Survey Research.
The Logic of Survey Research.
Constructing the Questionnaire.
Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages.
Interviewing.
The Ethical Survey.
11.Nonreactive Research and Available Data.
Nonreactive Measurement.
Content Analysis.
Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis.
Issues of Inference and Theory Testing.
12.Analyzing Quantitative Data.
Dealing with Data.
Results with One Variable.
Results with Two Variables.
More Than Two Variables.
Inferential Statistics.
III.RESEARCH USING QUALITATIVE DATA.
13.Qualitative Research Design.
The Qualitative Orientation.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research.
Complementary Evidence.
Example Studies.
14.Field Research.
The Logic of Field Research.
Choosing a Site and Gaining Access.
Relations in the Field.
Observing and Collecting Data.
The Field Research Interview.
Leaving the Field.
Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research.
15.Historical-Comparative Research.
The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research.
Steps in a Historical-Comparative Research Project.
Data and Evidence in Historical Context.
Comparative Research.
Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research.
Ethics.
16.Analyzing Qualitative Data.
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis.
Concept Formation.
Methods of Qualitative Data Analysis.
What Is Missing, or the Importance of Negative Evidence.
Diagrams and Other Tools.
IV.FINAL CONSIDERATIONS.
17.Ethical and Political Issues in Criminological Research.
Ethical Concerns and the Individual Researcher.
Ethical Issues Involving Research Subjects.
Ethics and the Scientific Community.
Ethics and the Sponsors of Research.
Ethics of the Larger Society or Government.
The Dissemination and Use of Research Findings.
Objectivity and Value Freedom.
APPENDICES.
Appendix A: A Table of Randomly Selected Five-Digit Numbers.
Appendix B: The Research Report and Proposals.
The Writing Process.
The Quantitative Research Report.
The Qualitative Research Report.
The Research Proposal.
Appendix C: Computers in Criminological Research.
How Computers Help the Social Researcher.
Bibliography.
Name Index.
Subject Index.