week 2

Mr. Steven Taylor, MA

Methods of Social Research (SOC/CJ423)

Week Two

Criminal Justice and Scientific Inquiry (Cont’d)

How to Design a Research ProjectDesigning research requires planning several stages, but the stages do not always occur in the same sequence.1. Conceptualization2. Choice of Research Method3. Operationalization4. Population and Sampling5. Observations6. Analysis7. Application

Source: Maxfield, Michael G. and Earl Babbie. 2012. Basics of Social Research. Third edition. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

How to Design a Research Project

Source: Maxfield, Michael G. and Earl Babbie. 2012. Basics of Social Research. Third edition. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. P. 13.





• Interest ( ? Y )• Students’ perceptions of campus crime

• Idea ( X Y )• Students are especially concerned about violent crime• University should be doing more to prevent violent crime

• Theory ( A B E F )• Underclassmen have greater fear of crime• Greater fear of crime at night• Students feel unsafe in unlit areas• Students in night classes are most in favor of improved campus

lighting• New Program

• Crime prevention programs launched in dormitories• More lights in parking lots; more police patrol





Conceptualization v. Operationalization

Conceptualization Operationalization

How?


What?

Conceptualization v. Operationalization

1. Does a criminal peer group make an individual commit crimes?

2. What types of correctional methods are most successful with juveniles?

3. Is underage drinking more popular with high school students or college students?


Does a criminal peer group make an individual commit crime?


How?


What?

Does a criminal peer group make an individual commit crime?



or

What types of correctional methods are most successful with juveniles?


How?


What?

What types of correctional methods are most successful with juveniles?

Operationalization


Conceptualization

Is underage drinking more popular with high school students or with college students?


How?


What?

Is underage drinking more popular with high school students or with college students?



VS.

Thinking About Research Problems

• Do an internet search, but use specialized tools

• Replicate an existing study

• Follow up on recommendations for further research

• Ask your professor


The Research ProposalDescribe planned activities, budget and time-line

The Research Proposal1. Problem or Objective2. Literature Review3. Research Questions4. Subjects for Study5. Measurement6. Data Collection Methods7. Analysis8. References9. Schedule10.Budget


Problem or Objective• What exactly do you want to study?• Why is it worth studying?• Does the proposed study contribute to

general understanding of crime or policy responses to crime?

• Does it have practical significance?

• If study is evaluation study, the problem or objective will already be specified for you.




Literature Review• CRAAP TEST• Library Website


http://library.elmhurst.edu/libdata/page.phtml?page_id=110

Literature ReviewC.R.A.A.P. TEST• CURRENCY: Information timeliness• RELEVANCE: Does the information apply to

your specific topic?• AUTHORITY: The source of the information• ACCURACY: Is the information based on fact

or opinion?• PURPOSE: Why does the information exist?

Why is it presentedSource: Maxfield, Michael G. and Earl Babbie. 2012. Basics of Social Research. Third edition. Wadsworth,

Cengage Learning.

Literature Review• CRAAP TEST• Library Website


http://library.elmhurst.edu/libdata/page.phtml?page_id=110


Research Questions


• What specific questions will your research try to answer?

• Given what others have found, what new information to you expect to find?

• A more specific version of the problem or objective

• Specific questions should be framed in the context of what other research has been found


Subjects for Study• Whom or what will you

study in order to collect data?

• Identify in general terms• Specifically identify who

is available for study and how you will reach them

• Do you need a sample?• Are subjects put at risk• Institutional Review

BoardSource: Maxfield, Michael G. and Earl Babbie. 2012. Basics of Social Research. Third edition. Wadsworth,

Cengage Learning.



Measurement• What are the key

variables in your study?

• How will you define and measure them?

• Do they duplicate or differ those of previous research?




Data Collection Methods • How will you

actually collect the data for your study?

• Observations? Survey?

• Field research?• Secondary data?• Often more than

one method (mixed methods)Source: Maxfield, Michael G. and Earl Babbie. 2012. Basics of Social Research. Third edition. Wadsworth,

Cengage Learning.



Analysis• Briefly described

the kind of analysis

• Indicate possible explanatory variables

• SPSS




References• List all materials

you consulted and cited in proposal

• Similar to works cited or references within actual paper




Schedule• Various stages of

research

• For coursework, it is sometimes predetermined

• May not be required but always recommended




Budget• If necessary,

budget will need to be specific

• Concerns:• Personnel• Equipment• Supplies• Expenses• Also, office supplies, photocopying, transportation, etc.


Research Questions and Thesis IdeasDiscussion

Recurrent Themes• Gun Control• Alcohol/Drug Use• College Students’ Perception of Police• Mass Shootings/Violent Crime• Race and Gender• Juvenile Justice• Child/Adolescent Development• Socioeconomics • Police Discretion; Police Personality; Police Family Life• Traffic• Social/Legal Injustice; Corruption; Misconduct• Corrections• Death Penalty

READ:IRB procedures (Blackboard)

Dixon: Selection #3 “Problems of Ethics in Rearch

ANSWER:Maxfield: Chapter 1, Question #3 (p. 23)

HomeworkDue 02/19/13

Documents

week 2