Understanding Social Science Research : Applications in Criminology and Criminal Justice

by Plpert, Geoffrey P.; MacDonald, John Marshall

• ISBN13: 9781577661924
• ISBN10: 1577661923
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-05-01
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
PART I Overview of Social Inquiry	1	(20)
An Introduction to Criminological Research	3	(6)
Major Methods for Social and Criminological Research	9	(6)
Direct Questioning	9	(2)
Direct Observation	11	(2)
Indirect Observation	13	(2)
Understanding Research Articles	15	(6)
What Is the Study About?	15	(1)
How Does the Study Fit into What Is Known about the Topic?	16	(1)
How Was the Research Conducted?	16	(1)
What Are the Results?	17	(1)
What Do the Results Mean and How Can They Be Utilized?	18	(3)
PART II Research Designs	21	(308)
Experimental Research	23	(46)
General Deterrent Effects of Police Patrol in Crime ``Hot Spots'': A Randomized, Controlled Trial	27	(22)
Lawrence W. Sherman
David Weisburd
Evaluating Intensive Supervision Probation/Parole: Results of a Nationwide Experiment	49	(20)
Joan Petersilia
Susan Turner
Surveys	69	(20)
Public Attitudes toward Police Pursuit Driving	74	(15)
John M. MacDonald
Geoffrey P. Alpert
In-person Interviews	89	(20)
White, Black, or Blue Cops? Race and Citizen Assessments of Police Officers	90	(19)
Ronald Weitzer
Field Research	109	(26)
Women in the Street-Level Drug Economy: Continuity or Change?	111	(24)
Lisa Maher
Kathleen Daly
Participant Observation	135	(18)
Doing Research in Prison: Weaknesses of Full Participation as a Guard	137	(16)
James W. Marquart
Direct Observation	153	(14)
Drunk Drivers in the Courts: Legal and Extra-Legal Factors Affecting Pleas and Sentences	154	(13)
Jon'a Meyer
Tara Gray
Case Studies	167	(26)
Boot Camps and Traditional Correctional Facilities for Juveniles: A Comparison of the Participants, Daily Activities, and Environments	168	(25)
Angela R. Gover
Doris Layton MacKenzie
Gaylene J. Styve
Content Analysis	193	(32)
The Presentation of Drugs in the News Media: The News Sources Involved in the Construction of Social Problems	196	(29)
Steven Chermak
Secondary Analysis	225	(44)
Determinants of Citizen Complaints against Police Abuse of Power	227	(17)
Liqun Cao
Bu Huang
To Kill or Not to Kill? Lethal Outcomes in Injurious Attacks	244	(25)
Richard B. Felson
Steven F. Messner
Meta-Analysis	269	(32)
A Meta-Analysis of the Predictors of Adult Offender Recidivism: What Works!	271	(30)
Paul Gendreau
Tracy Little
Claire Goggin
Applied and Evaluation Research	301	(28)
The Efficiency of Working under One Roof: An Evaluation of Los Angeles County Juvenile Justice Centers	305	(10)
Sheldon X. Zhang
Controlling the Use of Force: An Evaluation of Street-Level Narcotics Interdiction in Miami	315	(14)
Roger G. Dunham
Geoffrey P. Alpert
References	329	(2)
Index	331