INTRODUCTION TO Topic 1

RESEARCH
CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Defined as a careful, systematic study of knowledge in the field f
criminology or criminal justice, undertaken to discover or
establish facts or causations of crime.
It is also defined as a systematic process of collecting and
analyzing crime and victim data to find an answer to a question or
a solution to the criminological or victimization problem, and to
validate or test existing criminological and victimization theories.
WHY STUDY
CRIMINOLOGICAL
RESEARCH?
Criminological research provide the tools necessary to approach
issues in criminal justice from a more rigorous standpoint and
enable a venture beyond opinions based on non-scientific
observations and experiences.
Much of what appears in criminological research is, of course,
not unique to criminal justice, but it is , in fact, borrowed from the
other social sciences and applied to criminal justice topics and
examples.
RESEARCH THEORIES AND
METHODOLOGIES
Theories in criminal justice represent an attempt to develop plausible explanations
of reality of crime and the criminal justice system.
Theories attempt to classify and organize events , to explain the cause of events, to
predict the direction of future events, and to understand why and how these events
occur. It represents a reasonable and informed guess as to why things are as they
appear and to explain their underlying nature and meaning.
Methodologies, involves the collections of facts or data on the nature of crime and
criminal justice policies. In short, while theories address the issues of “why”.
Methodologies concerns with “what is”.
GENERAL CATEGORIES OF
RESEARCH
1. Descriptive Research
The descriptive type of study finds answer to the questions who, what,
when, where and how.
 This type of research describes a situation or given state of affairs in terms
of special aspects or factors.
What maybe described are characteristics of individuals or groups, i.e.,
offenders, victims, etc. or physical environments. i.e, rural, urban, squatter,
etc. or conditions. i.e., performances, effectiveness, etc…
2. CORRELATION RESEARCH
The correlation type of study goes beyond description of the problem or
situation. It attempt to explain the possible factors related to a problem
which has been observed in a descriptive study.
This type of study answers the questions why and how? The factors related
to the problem, however, need not be viewed as real “causes” of the problem,
but factors which are associated with or may contribute to the occurrence of
the problem.
3. INTERVENTION RESEARCH
The intervention type of study evaluates the effect or outcome of a particular
intervention. It studies the “cause and effect” relationship between certain
factors on certain phenomenon under controlled conditions.
The subjects of the study are randomly assigned to the experimental group
and to the control group and both groups are exposed to similar conditions
except for the intervention.
OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS OF
RESEARCH
1. Pure Basic vs. Applied Research- pure basic research is concerned with the
acquisition of new knowledge for the sake of science or the development of
the field, whereas applied research is practical research concerned with
solving immediate policy problems. Although the issues of common sense
briefly by means or “myths of crime.” are addressed, there still exists the
broader issue.
2. QUALITATIVE VS.
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
In quantitative research concepts are assigned numerical value, whereas in
qualitative research concepts are viewed as sensitizing ideas or terms that
enhance our understanding. Research methods in the social sciences, of
which criminal justice is heir, have followed two basic philosophical
traditions.
The first legacy reflects a historical, intuitive, or observational approach and
suggests that the physical and social sciences are distinct entities.
3. EXPLORATORY VS.
EXPLANATORY RESEARCH
Exploratory research is a loosely structured but valuable methodological
strategy.
Exploratory studies are designed to describe an existing problem situation
and examine the underlying factors that contribute to the mergence of the
problem, the nature of which is not yet well known.
The primary goal of an explanatory study is to understand or explain a
prevailing situation or explain a relationship between factors which may have
already been identified in exploratory studies, and why the relationship exists.
Explanatory studies seek more specific answers to “why” and “how”
questions.
LANGUAGE OF
CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Concepts- these are abstract tags put on reality and are the beginning points
in all scientific endeavors. Not to be confused with reality itself, concepts are
symbolic human creations or constructs that attempt to capture the essence or
reality.
Examples: crime, recidivism, cynicism, intelligence, risk of parole…etc…
Operationalization- It defines concepts by describing how they will be
measured. Working definitions or operational definitions are other terms
used to refer to this process.
Variables- these are concepts that have been operationalized or
“concepts that can vary’ or take on different values of a
quantitative nature. They are the mortars and bricks of scientific
investigation..
Theoretically, variables can be of a qualitative nature. For
example, qualitative distinctions could be made regarding a
person’s age as old or young, but the measurement of actual
chronological age would be regarded as more exact.
Dependent and Independent Variables-
 the dependent or outcome variables is the variable one is attempting to
predict and by convention is denoted by the letter Y.
Common outcome variables in criminal justice are concepts such as crime or
recidivism.
Ordinarily the dependent variable is some behavior or attitude that is usually
the subject of one’s study.
The independent or predictor variable is the variable that causes, determines,
or precedes in time the dependent variable and is usually denoted by the letter
X or any letter other than Y.
Theories and Hypothesis-
Theories were described previously as attempts to develop
plausible explanations of reality. They are usually general or
broad statements regarding relationship between, usually two,
variables and are derived from more general theories.
A research hypothesis states an expected relationship between
variables in positive terms.
EXAMPLES OF
CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH
SELECTING CRIMINOLOGICAL
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Problems formulation may be guided by many concerns
including personal experiences. Take the gut feelings seriously
and pursue them. Chances are that each researcher has unique
experiences or sensitiveness that gives him an edge in terms of
interest or feel for a subject. This is an advantage that should be
capitalized upon.
SPECIFYING
CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH
PROBLEM
The mere selection of a subject for investigation is only
the beginnings. One must formulate hypothesis, define
key concepts, indicate appropriate operationalization or
decide upon a qualitative sensitizing approach. Decide
upon research strategies, and finally relate one’s research
problem to broader issues in criminal justice .
ETHICS IN CRIMINOLOGICAL
RESEARCH
Following what has been identified as the ‘classic professionalism model’
occupations and occupational incumbents attempt to convince the public,
lawmakers, and other professionals that they are deserving of big respect,
prestige, autonomy, privilege, and remuneration on the basis of two key
elements. The first is that the occupation begins to generate its own esoteric
and useful knowledge.
ETHICAL PROBLEMS IN
CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH