Essentials of Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology

by Hagan, Frank E

• ISBN13: 9780205388493
• ISBN10: 0205388493
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This paperback and lower-priced essentials version of the best-selling Hagan text, Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology 6/e (2003), teaches general research methods using standard and contemporary examples of both qualitative and quantitative research in criminal justice and criminology, while eliminating the chapters on Statistics and Evaluation Research. Students save more than $30.00 over competing texts.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods: Theory and Method	1	(32)
Scientific Research in Criminal Justice	2	(1)
Common Sense and Nonsense	3	(2)
Why Study Research Methods in Criminal Justice?	5	(1)
The Emergence of Science and Criminal Justice	6	(2)
The Probabilistic Nature of Science	8	(1)
Proper Conduct of Critical Inquiry	8	(1)
Approaches to Theory and Method in Criminal Justice	9	(4)
Exhibit 1.1 Merton's ``Matthew Effect'' in Science	10	(1)
Exhibit 1.2 The Paradigm Shift in Policing	11	(2)
Pure Versus Applied Research	13	(6)
Exhibit 1.3 The Project on Human Development	16	(2)
Exhibit 1.4 Crime Analysis: Applied Criminal Justice Research	18	(1)
Qualitative and Quantitative Research	19	(1)
Researchese: The Language of Research	20	(2)
Concepts	20	(1)
Operationalization	21	(1)
Variables	21	(1)
Dependent and Independent Variables	21	(1)
Theories/Hypotheses	21	(1)
Examples of the Research Process	22	(2)
Recidivism among Juvenile Offenders	24	(1)
General Steps in Empirical Research in Criminal Justice	24	(1)
Problem Formulation: Selection of Research Problem	25	(1)
Problem Formulation: Specification of Research Problem	26	(2)
Exhibit 1.5 Feminist Perspectives and Research Methods	27	(3)
Exhibit 1.6 The World Wide Web (WWW)	30
Summary	28
Key Concepts	22	(10)
Review Questions	32	(1)
Ethics in Criminal Justice Research	33	(27)
Ethical Horror Stories	34	(8)
Biomedical Examples	34	(1)
Social Science Examples	34	(3)
Exhibit 2.1 AIDS Research in Africa and Asia: Is It Ethical?	37	(3)
Researcher Fraud and Plagiarism	40	(1)
Exhibit 2.2 Legendary Research Scams	41	(1)
The Researcher's Role	42	(1)
Research Targets in Criminal Justice	43	(1)
Ethics and Professionalism	43	(1)
Ethics in Criminal Justice Research	44	(8)
History of Federal Regulation of Research	45	(2)
The Belmont Report	47	(1)
Institutional Review Boards	48	(1)
Research Activities Exempt from HHS Review	49	(2)
National Institute of Justice's Human Subject Protection Requirements	51	(1)
Confidentiality of Criminal Justice Research	52	(4)
Exhibit 2.3 Codes of Research Ethics of the ACJS and the ASC	53	(3)
Ethical Issues in Criminology/Criminal Justice Research	56	(4)
Avoid Research That May Harm Respondents	57	(1)
Honor Commitments to Respondents and Respect Reciprocity	58	(1)
Exercise Objectivity and Professional Integrity in Performing and Reporting Research	58	(1)
Protect Confidentiality and Privacy of Respondents	59	(1)
Ethical Problems	60	(10)
The Brajuha Case (Weinstein Decision)	62	(1)
The Of she Case	63	(1)
The Hutchinson Case	64	(2)
Additional Ethical Concerns	66	(1)
Avoiding Ethical Problems	67	(1)
Summary	68	(1)
Key Concepts	69	(1)
Review Questions	69	(1)
Research Design: The Experimental Model and Its Variations	70	(39)
The Experimental Model	71	(1)
Research Design in a Nutshell	72	(1)
Causality	72	(2)
Resolution of the Causality Problem	72	(2)
Rival Causal Factors	74	(1)
Validity	75	(1)
Internal Factors: Variables Related to Internal Validity	75	(4)
History	75	(1)
Maturation	76	(1)
Testing	77	(1)
Instrumentation	77	(1)
Statistical Regression	77	(1)
Selection Bias	78	(1)
Experimental Mortality	78	(1)
Selection---Maturation Interaction	79	(1)
External Factors: Variables Related to External Validity	79	(2)
Testing Effects	79	(1)
Selection Bias	80	(1)
Reactivity or Awareness of Being Studied	80	(1)
Multiple-Treatment Interferences	80	(1)
Related Rival Causal Factors	81	(1)
Hawthorne Effect	81	(1)
Halo Effect	81	(1)
Post Hoc Error	81	(1)
Placebo Effect	82	(1)
Other Rival Causal Factors in Criminal Justice Field Experiments	82	(2)
Diffusion of Treatment	83	(1)
Compensatory Equalization of Treatment	83	(1)
Local History	83	(1)
Experimental Designs	84	(2)
The Classic Experimental Design	86	(1)
Some Criminal Justice Examples of the Classic Experimental Design	86	(2)
Candid Camera	86	(1)
Scared Straight	86	(1)
Community Policing	87	(2)
Exhibit 3.1 The Kansas City Gun Experiment	89
Other Experimental Designs	88	(4)
Posttest-Only Control Group Design	88	(3)
Solomon Four-Group Design	91	(1)
Preexperimental Designs	92	(2)
One-Group Ex Post Facto Design	92	(1)
One-Group Before-After Design	93	(1)
Two-Group Ex Post Facto Design	93	(1)
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Designs	94	(2)
Exhibit 3.2 The Cycle of Violence and Victims of Child Abuse	95	(1)
Quasi-Experimental Designs	96	(3)
Time-Series Designs	96	(1)
Multiple Interrupted Time-Series Designs	96	(3)
Counterbalanced Designs	99	(1)
Some Other Criminal Justice Examples of Variations of the Experimental Model	99	(5)
The Provo and Silverlake Experiments	99	(2)
Exhibit 3.3 Evaluations of Shock Incarceration	101	(1)
The Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment	102	(1)
The Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment	103	(1)
The Experiment as a Data-Gathering Strategy	104	(2)
Advantages of Experiments	105	(1)
Disadvantages of Experiments	105	(1)
Summary	106	(1)
Key Concepts	107	(1)
Review Questions	108	(1)
An Introduction to Alternative Data-Gathering Strategies and the Special Case of Uniform Crime Reports	109	(23)
Alternative Data-Gathering Strategies	110	(1)
Social Surveys	111	(1)
Participant Observation	112	(1)
Life History and Case Studies	113	(1)
Unobtrusive Measures	113	(2)
Exhibit 4.1 Applied Research: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)	114	(1)
The Special Case of Uniform Crime Reports	115	(1)
The Crime Index	116	(1)
Crime Rate	117	(2)
Cautions in the Use of UCR Data	119	(2)
Factors Affecting the UCR	119	(2)
Related UCR Issues	121	(3)
Exhibit 4.2 The Crime Dip	122	(2)
UCR Redesign	124	(6)
National Incident-Based Reporting System	124	(1)
Exhibit 4.3 The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)	125	(2)
NIBRS versus UCR	127	(3)
Summary	130	(1)
Key Concepts	130	(1)
Review Questions	131	(1)
Sampling and Survey Research: Questionnaires	132	(39)
Types of Sampling	133	(11)
Probability Samples	133	(5)
Nonprobability Samples	138	(4)
Exhibit 5.1 Crime Profiling	142	(2)
Sample Size	144	(1)
Survey Research	144	(2)
Some Guidelines for Questionnaire Construction	146	(5)
Questionnaire Wording	147	(4)
Pretest	151	(1)
Organization of the Questionnaire	151	(1)
Mail Surveys	152	(1)
Advantages of Mail Surveys	153	(1)
Disadvantages of Mail Surveys	154	(1)
Ways of Eliminating Disadvantages in Mail Surveys	154	(5)
Follow-up	155	(1)
Offering Remuneration	156	(1)
Attractive Format	156	(1)
Sponsorship and Endorsements	157	(1)
Personalization	157	(1)
Shortened Format	158	(1)
Good Timing	158	(1)
Self-Reported Measures of Crime	159	(3)
Some Problems with Self-Report Surveys	162	(1)
Strengths of Self-Report Surveys	163	(3)
Reliability	163	(1)
Validity	163	(1)
Use of Other Data	164	(1)
Use of Other Observers	164	(1)
Use of Polygraph	164	(1)
``Known Group'' Validation	164	(1)
Use of Lie Scales	165	(1)
Measures of Internal Consistency	166	(1)
Use of Interviews	166	(1)
Internet Surveys	166	(3)
Advantages of Internet Surveys	167	(1)
Disadvantages of Internet Surveys	167	(1)
Procedures in Internet Surveys	167	(2)
Summary	169	(1)
Key Concepts	170	(1)
Review Questions	170	(1)
Survey Research: Interviews and Telephone Surveys	171	(35)
Types of Interviews	172	(2)
Advantages of Interviews	174	(1)
Disadvantages of Interviews	175	(1)
Interviewing Aids and Variations	175	(3)
Exhibit 6.1 Public Opinion Polls	176	(2)
General Procedures in Interviews	178	(1)
Training and Orientation Session	178	(1)
Arranging the Interview	178	(1)
Demeanor of Interviewer	179	(1)
Administration of the Structured Interview	179	(1)
Probing	180	(1)
The Exit	180	(1)
Recording the Interview	181	(1)
Telephone Surveys	182	(1)
Advantages and Prospects of Telephone Surveys	182	(1)
Disadvantages of Telephone Surveys	183	(1)
Computers in Survey Research	184	(1)
Random Digit Dialing	185	(1)
Techniques Employed in Telephone Surveys	186	(1)
Victim Surveys in Criminal Justice	187	(1)
National Crime Victimization Survey	188	(2)
Sampling	188	(1)
Panel Design	189	(1)
A Comparison of UCR, NCVS, and Self-Report Data	190	(2)
Some Problems in Victim Surveys	192	(4)
Cost of Large Samples	192	(1)
False Reports	192	(1)
Mistaken Reporting	193	(1)
Poor Memory	193	(1)
Telescoping	193	(1)
Sampling Bias	193	(1)
Overreporting and Underreporting	194	(1)
Interviewer Effects	194	(1)
Coding Unreliability and Mechanical Error	195	(1)
Problems Measuring Certain Crimes	195	(1)
Benefits of Victim Surveys	195	(1)
A Defense of Victim Surveys	196	(1)
Controlling for Error in Victim Surveys	196	(1)
Bounding	196	(1)
Reverse Record Checks	197	(1)
Victim Surveys: A Balanced View	197	(1)
Community Crime Victimization Survey Software	198	(1)
Redesign of the National Crime Victimization Survey	198	(5)
Exhibit 6.2 The Redesigned National Crime Victimization Survey	199	(4)
Summary	203	(1)
Key Concepts	204	(1)
Review Questions	204	(2)
Participant Observation and Case Studies	206	(27)
A Critique of Experiments and Surveys	207	(2)
Verbal Reports versus Behavior	207	(2)
A Defense of Quantitative Research	209	(1)
Participant Observation	209	(2)
Types of Participant Observation	211	(1)
Characteristics of Participant Observation	212	(3)
Objectivity in Research	213	(1)
``Going Native''	214	(1)
General Procedures in Participant Observation	215	(2)
Field Notes	215	(1)
Mnemonics	216	(1)
Caution in Use of Other Recording Methods	216	(1)
Tips on Participant Observation	217	(5)
Gaining Access	217	(2)
Exhibit 7.1 American Skinheads	219	(1)
Gatekeepers	220	(1)
Announcement of Intentions	220	(1)
Sampling	220	(1)
Reciprocity and Protection of Identity	221	(1)
Concern for Accuracy	222	(1)
Examples of Participant Observation	222	(3)
Exhibit 7.2 Islands in the Streets	223	(2)
Exhibit 7.3 This Thing of Darkness: A Participant Observation Study of Idaho Christian Patriots	225	(1)
Advantages of Participant Observation	225	(1)
Disadvantages of Participant Observation	226	(1)
Case Studies	227	(1)
Life History/Oral History	227	(1)
Some Examples of Case Studies	228	(1)
Journalistic Field Studies	228	(1)
Single-Subject Designs	229	(2)
Summary	231	(1)
Key Concepts	232	(1)
Review Questions	232	(1)
Unobtrusive Measures, Secondary Analysis, and the Uses of Official Statistics	233	(38)
Major Types of Unobtrusive Methods	234	(1)
Physical Trace Analysis	235	(1)
Use of Available Data and Archives	236	(18)
Secondary Analysis	237	(1)
Personal Documents and Biographies	237	(3)
Examples of Secondary Analysis	240	(2)
Exhibit 8.1 Automated Pin Mapping: Applied Criminal Justice Research Using GIS for Crime Analysis	242	(2)
Exhibit 8.2 Street Gang Crime in Chicago	244	(2)
Limitations of Official Data	246	(1)
Measuring Hidden Populations	246	(1)
Historical and Archival Data	247	(1)
Content Analysis	248	(3)
Content Analysis by Computer	251	(1)
Meta-Analysis	251	(2)
Exhibit 8.3 Applied Criminal Justice Research: Hotspot Analysis	253	(1)
Sources of Existing Data	254	(5)
Exhibit 8.4 X-Files at the Federal Bureau of Investigation	256	(2)
Exhibit 8.5 National Archive of Criminal Justice Data	258	(1)
Observation	259	(3)
Disguised Observation	262	(3)
Simulations	265	(2)
Advantages of Unobtrusive Measures	267	(1)
Disadvantages of Unobtrusive Measures	268	(1)
Summary	269	(1)
Key Concepts	270	(1)
Review Questions	270	(1)
Validity, Reliability, and Triangulated Strategies	271	(19)
Error in Research	271	(2)
Reasons for Lack of Validation Studies in Criminal Justice	273	(1)
Ways of Determining Validity	274	(6)
Face Validity	274	(1)
Content Validity	275	(1)
Construct Validity	276	(1)
Pragmatic Validity	276	(1)
Convergent-Discriminant Validation/Triangulation	277	(3)
Reliability	280	(2)
Test-Retest	281	(1)
Multiple Forms	281	(1)
Split-Half Technique	282	(1)
Mythical Numbers	282	(1)
Phantom Army of Addicts	282	(1)
Adam (Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program)	283	(3)
Exhibit 9.1 Adam	284	(2)
Other Examples of Research Validation	286	(1)
Summary	287	(1)
Key Concepts	288	(1)
Review Questions	288	(2)
Scaling and Index Construction	290	(28)
Levels of Measurement	290	(4)
Exhibit 10.1 Score Yourself General Attitude/Knowledge Survey	293	(1)
Scaling Procedures	294	(1)
Arbitrary Scales	295	(1)
The Uniform Crime Report as an Arbitrary Scale	296	(1)
Attitude Scales	297	(8)
Thurstone Scales	297	(1)
Likert Scales	298	(3)
Guttman Scales	301	(4)
Other Scaling Procedures	305	(3)
Q Sort	305	(1)
Semantic Differential	305	(2)
Other Variations	307	(1)
Crime Seriousness Scales	308	(3)
Sellin-Wolfgang Index	309	(1)
Types of Crime Seriousness Scales	309	(2)
Prediction Scales	311	(4)
The Salient Factor Score	312	(1)
Greenwood's ``Rand Seven-Factor Index''	312	(2)
Career Criminal Programs	314	(1)
Advantages of Scales	315	(1)
Disadvantages of Scales	315	(1)
Summary	316	(1)
Key Concepts	317	(1)
Review Questions	317	(1)
Data Analysis: Coding, Tabulation, and Simple Data Presentation	318	(35)
Variables List	319	(1)
Computers	320	(1)
Data Management	321	(5)
Editing	321	(1)
Coding	322	(3)
Coder Monitoring	325	(1)
Keyboard Entry	326	(1)
Data Verification	326	(1)
Simple Data Presentation	326	(4)
Rates	328	(1)
Proportions	329	(1)
Percentages	329	(1)
Ratios	330	(1)
The Frequency Distribution	330	(1)
Graphic Presentations	331	(7)
Pie Charts	332	(1)
Bar Graphs	333	(1)
Frequency Polygons (Line Charts)	334	(1)
Crime Clocks	335	(3)
Table Reading	338	(1)
Why Bother with Tables?	338	(1)
What to Look for in a Table	338	(1)
Steps in Reading a Table	338	(4)
Summary of Table 11.3	339	(3)
How to Construct Tables	342	(1)
Presentation of Complex Data	342	(1)
General Rules for Percentaging a Table	342	(5)
Improper Percentaging	347	(1)
Elaboration	347	(2)
Lying with Statistics	349	(1)
Summary	350	(2)
Key Concepts	352	(1)
Review Questions	352	(1)
References	353	(34)
Glossary	387	(5)
Name Index	392	(4)
Subject Index	396