Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology A Mixed Methods Approach

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 producing compelling research projects themselves.

FEATURES

* Logical, step-by-step organization follows the stages of a research project

* Robust pedagogy includes chapter objectives, key terms, a running glossary, and chapter-ending discussion questions

Mark M. Lanier is Professor and Chair of Criminal Justice at the University of Alabama.

Lisa T. Briggs is Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Western Carolina University.

Preface
Chapter 1: Research Methods: What Is It, And Why Do We Do It?
The History of Research
Good, Yet Critical, Science
Research Distinctions
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Chapter 2: The "Stages" of Research: An Overview
Selecting a Topic
Identifying Research Questions
Finding Existing Research
Literature Reviews
Research Designs
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Reporting Results
Discussion Questions
Chapter 3: Research Ethics
Common Ethical Principles
Ethically Questionable Studies
Recent Requirements: The (Ever Increasing) Role of the IRB
Discussion Questions
Chapter 4: Validity, Reliability and Threats to Research Integrity
Validity and Reliability
Research Threats
Chapter 5: Qualitative Research Strategies
Historical Synopsis of Qualitative Research
Requisite Qualitative Research Tools
Field Research
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Chapter 6: Quantitative Research Designs
Components of an Experiment
Experimental, Quasi-Experimental and Pre-Experimental Designs
Other Quantitative Research Strategies
Discussion Questions
Chapter 7: Survey Research and Mixed Methods
Survey Research
Mixed Methods Research
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Chapter 8: Sampling Strategies
Probability or Non-probability?
Discussion Questions
Chapter 9: Elementary Data Handling Part One: Univariate and Descriptive Statistics
Qualitative
Mixed Methods Evaluation
Discussion Questions
Chapter 10: Elementary Data Handling Part Two: Bivariate Statistics
Tests of Statistical Significance and Measures of Association
Measures of Difference
Discussion Questions
Chapter 11: Beyond Research: An Aid to Writing Success
Plagiarism
APA Review
Becoming a More Professional Writer
Writing Tip Summation
Discussion Questions
Glossary
Bibliography