LibGuides: Criminal Justice/Pre-Law: Research Methods

Research Methods Books

Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology by Mark M. Lanier; Lisa T. Briggs
Call Number: HV7419.5 .L36 2013

ISBN: 9780199927968

Publication Date: 2013-03-01

Intuitive, accessible, and filled with real-world testimonials from actual criminal justice scholars, Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology: A Mixed Methods Approach gives students the tools they need to understand the research they read and take the first steps toward producingcompelling research projects themselves.
Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods by Gennaro F. Vito; Julie C. Kunselman; Richard Tewksbury
Call Number: electronic book

ISBN: 9780398087982

Publication Date: 2014-07-07

This third edition is designed as an introduction to research methods in criminal justice techniques. The detailed information that is generated by research is a management tool that has become a significant part of criminal justice operations. The text discusses the purposes, process, and uses of research that focus on identifying what information is already known about a particular topic or question. Ethical issues in criminal justice research are reviewed, as is investigating the validity and reliability of crime data sources. Also offered is an introduction to research design--the plan or blueprint for a complete research project. The principles of sampling are thoroughly discussed as is survey research, a common form of gathering information in the criminal justice setting. A review of the concept of scaling and some common methods of scale construction are introduced. Additional major topics include qualitative interviews and observational studies in qualitative research, as well as a wide variety of research techniques that comprise evaluation research. The definitions and examples provided in the book will help students and practitioners to both comprehend research articles and reports and to conduct their own research. Each of the authors brings specific areas of expertise to the text, and they are familiar with the research process and have worked together on several published studies. The text is designed primarily for persons with little or no research background and provides real-world examples and clear definitions of terms and concepts.

Research Methods Websites

Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Overview of the importance of criminal justice research and four main methods of research. Produced by East Carolina University.
The Importance of Research Methods in Criminal Justice
American Public University blog post covering the research process in Criminal Justice and how qualitative, quantitative, and secondary data analysis research can be done.
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Research Methods Overview

4 Criminal Justice Research Methods

Criminal justice research employs several methodologies to gather and analyze data. The four primary research methods used in the field are exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, and evaluative. Each method serves a purpose in contributing to the body of knowledge in criminal justice.

Exploratory Research

Exploratory research is employed when limited information is available about a particular issue, crime trend, or phenomenon. The goal of exploratory research is to investigate new or emerging topics to gain a better understanding and develop hypotheses for further research. Researchers typically use this type of research when they don’t properly understand a problem and they need to gather preliminary data before conducting more in-depth studies.

Example: Exploring the rise of cybercrime and understanding how the rise in artificial intelligence might lead to increased fraud

Explanatory Research

Explanatory research seeks to explain the causes and effects of criminal behavior, crime trends, or justice system practices. This type of research aims to uncover the root causes of certain phenomena and establish causal relationships. Explanatory research is crucial for identifying the factors that contribute to criminal behavior and for understanding the impact of various justice interventions.

Example: Examining what factors contribute to recidivism among offenders

Descriptive Research

Descriptive research focuses on describing characteristics, behaviors, or trends related to crime, criminal behavior, or a demographic. The goal of descriptive research is to provide a detailed account of a particular phenomenon, such as crime rates in a specific area, offender demographics, or the effectiveness of a new policing strategy.

Example: Describing the trends in violent crime rates among teenagers in urban areas over the past decade

Evaluative Research

Evaluative research assesses the effectiveness of programs, policies, or interventions within the criminal justice system. This type of research helps policymakers and practitioners determine whether a particular program or policy is achieving its intended outcomes. Two Examples of evaluative research are policy evaluation and program evaluation.

Policy Evaluation

Policy evaluation assesses the impact of criminal justice policies, such as sentencing reforms, drug policies, or policing strategies. It helps determine whether the policy is effective in reducing crime or achieving other desired outcomes.

Example: Assessing the effectiveness of legalizing recreational cannabis use as it pertains to generating tax revenue and reducing the strain on correctional institutions

Program Evaluation

Program evaluation focuses on specific programs, such as rehabilitation programs, diversion initiatives, or reentry services. It measures whether the program is successfully meeting its objectives, such as reducing recidivism or improving participant outcomes.

Example: Evaluating the effectiveness of a drug rehabilitation program in reducing repeat offenses among participants

https://onlineprograms.ecu.edu/blog/research-methods-in-criminal-justice/