1 introduction to research 1
nature of criminal justice research 1
what is research? 2
research processes 3
pure versus applied research 5
scientific inquiry 8
assessing goodness of theory 9
Empiricism 9
Objectivity 10
Skepticism and Replication 10
Falsifiability 10
Dynamic Nature of Theory 10
Ethics 11
constructing scientific theories 11
research hypotheses 12
Becoming Acquainted with Hypotheses 15
Null Hypothesis 16
Concepts and Variables 16
summary 19
terminology 19
discussion points 20
endnotes 20
2 research design 23
what is research design? 23
types of research designs 24
Quantitative Research 25
Qualitative Research 25
Evaluative Research 26
research purposes 27
Exploratory Research 27
Descriptive Research 28
Explanatory Research 29
choice of research design 29
Experimental Method 30
Quasi-Experimental Method 31
Survey Method 32
Case Study 33
levels of measurement 34
Nominal Variables 35
Ordinal Variables 35
Interval Variables 36
Ratio Variables 36
validity and reliability 37
summary 38
terminology 40
discussion points 41
endnotes 41
3 statistics in research 43
introduction 43
role of statistics 43
basic principles and conventions 45
Common Terms 45
Terms for measures of central tendency 47
Terms for measures of dispersion 47
Terms for frequency distributions 48
Conventions Used in Statistics 48
descriptive statistics 48
Measures of Central Tendency 49
Mode 49
Median 50
Mean 50
Measures of Dispersion 51
Proportion 51
Percentage 51
Variation ratio 52
Index of qualitative variation 52
Range 53
Variance 53
Standard deviation 55
Mean deviation 55
data grouping 55
Ranked Distribution 55
Frequency Distribution 56
Cumulative Frequency 57
Graphing Techniques 57
Histogram and bar graph 57
Pie chart 57
Scatter plot 59
Frequency polygon 59
Frequency curve 60
Normal curve 60
Correlation coefficient 63
inferential statistics 63
Probability Theory 63
Multiplication Rule 65
Logic of Statistical Inference Testing 66
Statistical Significance 67
Determining Statistical Significance 68
Chi-square test 68
t-test 69
Using normal curve 70
Runs test 70
Mann-Whitney U test 70
z-scores 71
ANOVA 71
summary 71
terminology 72
discussion points 74
endnotes 74
4 measures, validity, and reliability 77
introduction 77
measurement 77
variables 79
indexes and scales 80
Indexes 80
Scales 80
Attitude scales 82
Scale construction 84
validity and reliability 85
Validity 85
Triangulation 86
Reliability 87
summary 87
terminology 88
discussion points 88
endnotes 89
5 analytical and experimental research 91
analytical research 91
Role of Statistics in Analytical Research 93
Developing Analytical Research Projects 94
Hypothesis Testing 95
Common Errors 95
experimental research 96
Estimation 96
Experiment 96
Variables 97
Validity Problems 97
Experimental Research Categories 98
Pre-experimental design 98
True experimental design 99
Quasi-experimental design 100
Ex post facto designs 101
Common Errors 101
summary 101
terminology 102
discussion points 103
endnotes 103
6 survey research methods and sampling 105
introduction 105
purposes of survey research 106
Descriptive Purpose 106
Explanatory Purpose 107
Exploratory Purpose 107
types of survey research 107
in-person interviews 109
Choosing a Type of Interview: Factors to Consider 113
Extent of control 113
Time 114
Location 114
Desired information 114
Role of researcher 115
telephone survey 115
using computers in survey research 117
mail surveys 122
Increasing Return Rates 122
designing questionnaires 124
comparison of types of survey research 128
sampling 129
Probability Sampling Procedures 130
Simple Random Sampling 130
Systematic Sampling 132
Stratified Sampling 132
Cluster Sampling 133
Nonprobability Sampling Procedures 134
Convenience Sampling 134
Purposive Sampling 134
Quota Sampling 135
Snowball Sampling 135
summary 135
terminology 137
discussion points 138
endnotes 139
7 participant observation and case studies 141
introduction 141
characteristics of qualitative research 141
qualitative research strategies 142
participant observation 143
Types of Participant Observation 143
Participant Observation in Criminal Justice Research 144
features of observation 149
Recording Observations 150
Recording Options 151
Analysis and Presentation of Observational Data 152
Matrix, Flow Chart, and Organizational Diagram 153
case studies 154
Characteristics 154
Types 155
Research Questions 156
Data Collection Strategy 156
Analysis and Presentation of Data 156
summary 158
terminology 159
discussion points 159
endnotes 160
8 descriptive, historical, and archival data analyses 161
introduction 161
descriptive research 161
Functions 162
Strengths and Limitations 162
Common Errors 163
Designing Descriptive Research Projects 163
historical research 164
Purposes 164
Research Problems 165
Time and Space Dimensions 165
Designing Historical Research Plan 166
archival or document research 166
Secondary Sources 167
Credibility 167
Personal and Institutional Documents 168
replication of previous research 169
locating documents 170
reviewing related literature 171
Purpose 171
Conducting a Search 172
Writing Reviews 173
summary 175
terminology 176
discussion points 177
endnotes 177
9 ethics in research 179
introduction 179
Academy of Criminal Justice Science (ACJS) code of ethics 180
neutral and impartial research 180
research involving humans 181
Involving Human Subjects without Their Knowledge or Consent 183
Coercing People to Participate 184
Informed Consent 185
Withholding True Nature of Research 186
Deceiving Participants 187
Violating Right of Self-Determination 187
Exposing Subjects to Mental or Physical Stress 188
Inconsiderate and Unfair Treatment 188
Withholding Benefits from Participants in Control Groups 188
Questionable Practices 189
analysis and reporting 190
American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) code of ethics 191
summary 192
terminology 194
discussion points 194
endnotes 194
10 developing research plans 197
introduction 197
topic selection 197
refining topic and narrowing focus of research 207
literature review 208
Purposes 208
Accessing Research Materials 209
Using Libraries 209
Virtual Libraries 210
Google 211
summary 211
terminology 211
discussion points 211
endnotes 212
11 writing research reports 213
introduction 213
when to begin writing 214
preparatory tips 215
components of report 216
Chapter 1: Introduction and Statement of Hypothesis 216
Introduction 216
Statement of hypothesis 218
Chapter 2: Literature Review 219
Chapter 3: Methodology 220
Research environment 220
Design 221
Sampling 222
Procedures 222
Data analysis 223
Chapter 4: Findings or Results 223
Chapter 5: Discussion 224
Reference Section 224
Abstract 225
summary 225
terminology 226
discussion points 226
endnotes 227
12 program evaluation and policy research 229
introduction 229
defining evaluation research 230
purposes of program evaluation 230
categories of program evaluation research 232
choosing a program evaluation 232
Program Evaluation Methodology 237
policy research 238
policy research planning 239
policy research reporting 240
summary 241
terminology 242
discussion points 242
endnotes 243
13 writing research and grant proposals 245
introduction 245
getting started 246
building a blueprint 246
overview of proposal process 247
Introduction Section 249
Statement of Needs or Problem 250
Project Description 251
Program goals and objectives 251
Methods 252
Evaluation 252
recommended steps for obtaining state and federal funding 253
bases for rejection 254
Project Narrative 254
Problems to Be Addressed 255
Goals and Objectives 255
Project Design 255
Management and Organizational Capabilities 255
Budget 255
Appendixes 257
Single Point of Contact 257
selection criteria 257
peer review 259
project termination 259
summary 260
terminology 261
discussion points 261
endnotes 261
index 263