Researching Crime and Justice: Tales from the field

This book provides an introduction to research and research methods in crime and justice and related areas, including police, prisons and criminal justice policy making. It is less of a dry 'how to¿ book, but is concerned rather to provide a wide-ranging source book that illustrates the kind of research that has been done in particular areas, the findings of previous studies and the range of possible research methods and approaches both qualitative and quantitative. It highlights clearly the social problems and opportunities presented by studies in criminology and criminal justice. Each chapter contains a section on the (often ignored) relationship between the topic of study, desired outcomes and suitable methods, with a wide range of illustrative case studies. Here the approach is practical - pointing out the pitfalls of research, such as the inadvisability of some methods, the dangers of some topics/methods. The book also reflects on the philosophies of research and includes discussions about the way the choice of methods will be reflected in the findings and vice versa.