Researching Criminology

by Crow, Iain; Semmens, Natasha

• ISBN13: 9780335221417
• ISBN10: 0335221416
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-11-01
• Publisher: Open University Press

Summary

"...what makes the book stand out is the inclusion of real research into various criminal justice institutions that have actually been undertaken by the authors. In doing so, what is produced is a book that stimulates interest and injects research passion, as well as offering research 'know how' into what can often be a difficult and sometimes dry area of research." Tina Patel, Liverpool John Moores University"This book provides an essential tool for undergraduate students embarking upon their own research projects in Criminology. It provides clear and informative guidance on a range of research methods and designs to assist students in their own criminological endeavours." Jacki Tapley, University of Portsmouth How do criminologists go about studying crime and its consequences? How are programmes for offenders and communities evaluated? How can you collect and analyse criminological material? Research on crime and criminality is often referred to by the media, policy makers and practitioners, but where does this research come from and how reliable is it?Designed especially for students on criminology and criminal justice courses, and professionals working in the field,Researching Criminologyemphasises the importance of research as an integrated process. It looks at the ways in which a mixture of investigative methods can be used to analyze a criminological question.Written by two experienced researchers and lecturersResearching Criminologyis a comprehensive introduction to the aims, principles and methods of doing criminological research. The book covers all the key topics that you will encounter when researching crime. Individual chapters include material on: The research process Principles of researching criminology How to design criminological research Evaluation research Researching ethically A glossary of essential key concepts Structured in three parts, addressing the principles of criminological research, how to collect and analyse material and providing detailed examples of real world research,Researching Criminologywill be of benefit to all students of criminology and criminal justice, for practitioners interested in criminological research, and for those undertaking criminological research for the first time.

Author Biography

Iain Crow is Reader in Research Methods at the University of Sheffield, UK Natasha Semmens is a lecturer in Criminology at the University of Sheffield, UK

Table of Contents

About the authors

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The principles of criminological research

The research process

What is research?

Researching criminology

Types of inquiry and types of data

Research as a process

Further reading

The principles of researching criminology

The research question: identifying the research question and exploring possible theoretical explanations

Choosing a research strategy

Method selection and data collection

Data analysis and inference

Conclusion

Further reading

Designing criminological research

What is research design and why is it important?

The main types of empirical inquiry

Some common kinds of research design

Choosing a research design: an example

Sampling

Researching criminology ethically

Conclusion

Further reading

Criminological evaluation

Defining terms

The evaluation paradigm

Evaluation and theory

Doing criminological evaluation

Further reading

Collecting and analysing material

Researching by reading

Introduction

Reading and reviewing the literature critically

Analysing other people's data

Analysing documents

Conclusion

Further reading

Appendix

Researching by looking

Introduction: watch and learn

The science of observation? Epistemology and research design

Methodological decisions

Data collection

Data analysis

The disadvantages of observation

Conclusion

Further Reading

Researching by asking and listening

Introduction

Interviewing

Group interviews and focus groups

Questionnaires

Further reading

Analysing criminological research

About analysis

Analysing quantitative material: an introduction

Analysing qualitative material: an introduction

Further reading

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Real-world research

Researching offenders and employment

Background to the project

Theoretical context

The research

Results

Conclusion

Researching the Youth Court

Background to the project

Theoretical context

The research

Analysis

Results

Conclusion

Appendix

Researching a Community Safety Programme

Background to the project

Theoretical context

The research

Results

Conclusion

Researching the fear of crime

Background to the project

Theoretical context

The research

Results

Conclusion

Concluding comments

Taking it further

Glossary

Notes

References

Index

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