Research methodologies in criminology / David A. Yeboah.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Yeboah, David A.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Criminology--Research--Methodology.

Criminology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (202 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Nova Science Publishers, c2008.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The incidence and prevalence of crime and criminal victimisation is becoming increasingly rife in most societies, developed and developing. Most governments and their relevant departments, policy makers, researchers, and related interest groups, are striving to develop and implement policies, programs and services to control crime. Research provides an added impetus in this endeavour and provides the evidence based analysis and essential data required for effective development and implementation of policies, services and programs. This book provides researchers in criminology with the necessary analytical tools to enable them to function effectively. It introduces new researchers to the available methodologies in criminological research and provides senior professionals with detailed approaches to successful research in criminology. Students, teachers, and researchers will find the book very useful, informative and highly resourceful.

Contents:

Intro

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Importance of Research in Criminology

Areas Common to All Criminological Research Methodologies

Types and Sources of Data for Criminological Research

Types of Data

Where Are the Data Found?

Other Public/Government Agencies

Non Government Agencies

Special Studies

The General Research Process

Identification and Definition of the Problem, Issue or Subject Matter

Review of Previously Published and Unpublished Literature

Research Questions or Hypothesis

Identification and Selection of an Appropriate Design

Implementation of the Research Design

Analysis and Interpretation of Data and Results

Presentation or Reporting of Results

Additional Information

Further Reading

Qualitative Research Methodologies

Description of Qualitative Research Methodologies

Focus Groups

Participant Observation

Theory

The Role of the Researcher

Processes Involved in Participant Observation Research

Identifying the Topic or Problem

Reviewing the Existing Literature

Preparatory Work

Selection of a Research Design

Sampling

Implementation of the Selected Design

Measurements

Analysis and Interpretation of Data

Preparation and Reporting of Results

Advantages and Disadvantages of Participant Observation Methodology

Further Readings

Quantitative Research Methodologies

Description

Types of Survey Methodologies

Face to Face Survey Interviews

Telephone Survey

Postal Survey Research

Observational Survey Research

The Role of the Survey Researcher

The Practice of Criminological Survey Research

Identification of the Problem

Literature Review

Selection of the Research Design or Designs

Preparatory Work.

Designing the Questionnaire

Types of Sampling

Probability Sampling

Other Types of Sampling

Snowball Sampling

Systematic Sampling

Sample Size and Sampling Error

Other Survey Errors

Implementation of the Selected Research Design

Measurement

Levels of Measurement

Discrete and Continuous Variables

Validity and Reliability

Bias and Variability

Data Processing

Coding

Data Entry, Storage and Management

Quantitative Analysis of Survey Data

Descriptive Analysis of Survey Data

Frequency Distribution, Proportions and Statistical Summaries

Narratives

Quotations

Non Descriptive Analysis of Survey Data

Measures of Central Tendency

Measures of Dispersion

Cross-Tabulations

Single Variable and Multiple Variable/Multivariate Analysis

Standardization of Variables

Analysis of Statistical Inference

Interrelationships among Measurement Variables

How Measures of Association and Regressions Establish Relationships between Variables

Other Dimensions of the Analysis of Survey Data

Histogram

Shape Analysis

Testing Hypothesis and Addressing Research Questions

Survey Report

Advantages and Disadvantages of Survey Research

Evaluation Research

Importance of Evaluation in the Criminal Justice System

Definition, Description and Models of

Program Evaluation

Models

The Role of the Evaluator

Types of Program Evaluation

Process Evaluation

Formative Evaluation

Outcomes Evaluation

Summative Evaluation

Impact Evaluation

Effectiveness Evaluation

Meta Evaluation

Evaluation Methodologies

Types and Sources of Data for Program Evaluation

Step by Step Guide to Program Evaluation

Establishing the Evaluation Topic, Purpose and Scope or Coverage

Terms of Reference

Planning the Evaluation.

Literature Review

Initial Consultation with Stakeholders

Examining Evaluation Design Options and Selecting an Appropriate Design

Implementation of the Selected Evaluation Design

Data Processing and Measurements

Evaluation Report

Dissemination of Evaluation Results

Analysis of Costs

Cost Effectiveness

Efficiency

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Types of Program Costs

Unit of Analysis

Program Logic

Other Research Methodologies

Documentary Research

Issues in Documentary Research

Practice of Documentary Research

Identification of the Subject Matter

Reviewing The Literature

Other Preliminary Work

Identification of Sources of Documents

Implementation of the Documentary Research

Data Processing, Analysis and Interpretation

Documentary Research Report

Strengths and Weaknesses of Documentary Research

Case Studies

Step by Step Guide in Undertaking Case Studies

Case Selection and Definition of Subject Matter

Planning or Preparatory Stage

Reviewing the Literature

Decision on Research Design or Designs

Case Study Report and the Dissemination of the Findings

Advantages and Disadvantages

Examples/Illustrations of Case Studies

Case study 1. The Port Arthur Massacre, Tasmania, Australia

Background

Research Questions

Methodologies

Case Study Report

Case Study 2. The 2005 Prison Riots of Barbados

Methodology

Case Study 3. New Zealand's Habilitation Centres Pilot Program

Data Processing, Analysis and Interpretation.

Case Study Report

Experimental Research Methodologies

Logic of Experimental Methodologies in Criminology

The Practice of Experimental Research Methodologies

Step By Step Guide to Experimental Research

Hypothesis and/or Research Questions

Selection and Implementation of the Experimental Design

Data Collection, Processing, Storage, Analysis and Interpretation

Experimental Research Report

Analysis of Existing Data

Step by Step Guide

Comparative Analysis

Description and Definition

Issues in Comparative Research

Advantages and Disadvantages of Comparative Analysis/Research

Ethical Considerations in Criminological Research

Definition and Concepts

Ethics and Criminological Research

Ethics of Human Subject Research

Ethical Requirements of Human Subject Research

Information to Study Subjects

Rewards for Study Subjects

Informed Decision/Informed Consent

Voluntary Participation

Freedom to Withdraw

Confidentiality and Privacy

Respect for the Rights and Dignity of the Study Subjects

Aggregate Analysis and Reporting of Data

Professional Ethics

What Is Meant by Professional Ethics?

Code of Ethics

Attributes of the Code of Ethics

The General Principles

Professional Competence

Responsibility to the Community

Integrity

Scientific Responsibility

Respect for the Rights and Dignity of Clients

Ethics in Program Evaluation

Designing Questions and Interviewing in Criminological Research

Questionnaire Design

Types of Questions

Content of Research Instruments or Questionnaires

Goals and Objectives of the Research

Research Hypotheses or Research Questions

Knowledge of the Study Subjects

Interest of Stake Holders.

Researcher's Vision of the Research Report

Principles of Questionnaires Design

Simple Straight Forward Wording

Clear and Unambiguous Questioning

Concise Questions

One Question Sentence

Logical Sequence of Question Items/Variables

Questions Must Be Pitched O the Level and Understanding of the Study Subjects

Focus on the Subject Matter of the Study

Clarity about Which Questions Will Be Answered by Whom

Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Questionnaire Rather Than Its Appearance

Layout and Printing Should Enhance Coding and Editing

Interviewing

Types of Interviewing

Step by Step Guide to Successful Interviewing

Advantages and Disadvantages of Interviewing

Final Words

Summary

What Type of Research Methodology Do You Adopt?

Implications of Research

Implications of Research Findings for Planning

Policy Implications of Research Findings

Implications of Research Findings for Program and Service Development

Funding Implications of Research Findings

Further Research

References

Index

Blank Page.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [177]-178) and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-61668-074-1

OCLC:

923663122