2nd Edition
Criminal Justice Research Methods Theory and Practice, Second Edition
The study of research methodologies can be daunting to many students due to complex terminology, mathematical formulas, and lack of practical examples. Now in its second edition, Criminal Justice Research Methods: Theory and Practice offers a straightforward, easy-to-understand text that clarifies this complex subject matter, keeping perplexing research language and associated complexities to a minimum and ensuring that students get a practical grasp of this essential topic.
The authors discuss scientific inquiry, establishing a framework for thinking about and understanding the nature of research. They examine various types of research methods in the broad categories of quantitative, qualitative, and evaluation designs and provide coverage of analytical and experimental research designs. The book also examines survey methods, survey instruments, and questionnaires, including wording, organization, and pretesting. It describes the fundamental characteristics of the qualitative approach, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion of the participant observation and case study methods of research. Other topics include ethical standards of conduct, topic selection, literature review, and guidelines for writing a research report or grand proposal. The second edition features updated examples, reworked exercises, additional discussion points, and new research-in-action sections.
Defining a clear approach to the study of research, the book enables student experiencing their initial exposure to this subject to be fundamentally prepared to be proficient researchers in criminal justice and criminology.
Introduction to Research
Nature of Criminal Justice Research
What Is Research?
Research Processes
Pure Versus Applied Research
Scientific Inquiry
Assessing Goodness of Theory
Constructing Scientific Theories
Research Hypotheses
Research Design
What Is Research Design?
Types of Research Designs
Research Purposes
Choice of Research Design
Levels of Measurement
Validity and Reliability
Statistics in Research
Role of Statistics
Basic Principles and Conventions
Descriptive Statistics
Data Grouping
Inferential Statistics
Measures, Validity, and Reliability
Measurement
Variables
Indexes and Scales
Validity and Reliability
Analytical and Experimental Research
Analytical Research
Experimental Research
Survey Research Methods and Sampling
Introduction
Purposes of Survey Research
Types of Survey Research
In-Person Interviews
Telephone Survey
Using Computers in Survey Research
Mail Surveys
Designing Questionnaires
Comparison of Types of Survey Research
Sampling
Participant Observation and Case Studies
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
Qualitative Research Strategies
Participant Observation
Features of Observation
Case Studies
Descriptive, Historical, and Archival Data Analyses
Descriptive Research
Historical Research
Archival or Document Research
Replication of Previous Research
Locating Documents
Reviewing Related Literature
Ethics in Research
Academy of Criminal Justice Science (ACJS) Code of
Ethics
Neutral and Impartial Research
Research Involving Humans
Analysis and Reporting
American Association for Public Opinion Research
(AAPOR) Code of Ethics
Developing Research Plans
Topic Selection
Refining Topic and Narrowing Focus of Research
Literature Review
Writing Research Reports
When to Begin Writing
Preparatory Tips
Components of Report
Program Evaluation and Policy Research
Defining Evaluation Research
Purposes of Program Evaluation
Categories of Program Evaluation Research
Choosing a Program Evaluation
Policy Research
Policy Research Planning
Policy Research Reporting
Writing Research and Grant Proposals
Getting Started
Building a Blueprint
Overview of Proposal Process
Recommended Steps for Obtaining State And Federal
Funding
Bases for Rejection
Selection Criteria
Peer Review
Project Termination
Biography
Gerald J. Bayens, Cliff Roberson