CRIM 2254: WEEK 1-3 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Who does research? - Answers - - profs @ research universities
- gov. agencies (RCMP, etc.)
- private sector researchers
- grad students (M.A/PhD)
Why do we need to understand research methods? - Answers - - all criminal justice
system professionals will be consumers of research
- research informs all CJS( criminal justice system) practices
- some jobs within CJS will require you to produce research
- we need to know how to interpret and produce accurate research
Purposes of research (Stages of research process) - Answers - 1. Exploration
2. Description
3. Explanation
4. Application
*1 and 2 typically overlap in research
1. Exploration - Answers - - provision of basic/preliminary info. about a phenomenon
> little is known
- identify the existence of a phenomenon and its 'contours' (shape, frequency, severity)
of the phenomenon
2. Description - Answers - - get a more detailed understanding of the phenomenon
EXAMPLES
- who's more likely to engage in antisocial behaviour? >>> age, gender, ethnicity
- where is antisocial behaviour more likely to occur?
autotheft rates across different neighbourhoods
prevalence of the youth gang membership over time
3. Explanation - Answers - - why does this phenomenon occur?
>>>what causes it?
>>>this talks about relationships
EXAMPLE
- why do we see the different auto theft rates across neighbourhoods?
- why has the number of juveniles involved in gangs increased?
, 4. Application - Answers - -examine the impact of some intervention or potential
intervention on Y (the DV)
*2 types
-Evaluation (program evaluation)
- Problem analysis (policy analysis)
Evaluation (program evaluation) - Answers - - examines the actual impact of X on Y,
where X is a program/intervention
EXAMPLE
- does criminal justice program 'X' produce the intended results?
- does intervention 'X' reduce symptoms of disorder 'Y'?
Problem analysis (policy analysis) - Answers - - examines the potential impact of X on Y
>>> future orientated
The scientific method - Answers - - one way of "knowing" the world
- a set of procedures designed to reduce bias
>>> foundation
>>> 3 general steps/ pillars
Foundation (scientific method) - Answers - rational and systemic observation
3 general steps/pillars (scientific method) - Answers - 1. Theory/hypothesis
2. Observation (data collection)
3. Data analysis
What is theory? - Answers - - a set of concepts and the proposed relationships among
these concepts
Hypothesis - Answers - - a prediction (expected result) based on logic derived from a
theory
>>> must include the direction of the association
EX. X will increase the likelyhood of Y, X will decrease the likelyhood of Y
Characteristics of "good" theory - Answers - 1. Logical consistency
2. Parsmonious
3. Scope
4. Testable
5. Empirical Support
6. Practical Utility
1. Logical consistency - Answers - - do the propositions (statements) made within the
theory make sense with one another
- the statements SHOULD NOT contradict one another
ANSWERS
Who does research? - Answers - - profs @ research universities
- gov. agencies (RCMP, etc.)
- private sector researchers
- grad students (M.A/PhD)
Why do we need to understand research methods? - Answers - - all criminal justice
system professionals will be consumers of research
- research informs all CJS( criminal justice system) practices
- some jobs within CJS will require you to produce research
- we need to know how to interpret and produce accurate research
Purposes of research (Stages of research process) - Answers - 1. Exploration
2. Description
3. Explanation
4. Application
*1 and 2 typically overlap in research
1. Exploration - Answers - - provision of basic/preliminary info. about a phenomenon
> little is known
- identify the existence of a phenomenon and its 'contours' (shape, frequency, severity)
of the phenomenon
2. Description - Answers - - get a more detailed understanding of the phenomenon
EXAMPLES
- who's more likely to engage in antisocial behaviour? >>> age, gender, ethnicity
- where is antisocial behaviour more likely to occur?
autotheft rates across different neighbourhoods
prevalence of the youth gang membership over time
3. Explanation - Answers - - why does this phenomenon occur?
>>>what causes it?
>>>this talks about relationships
EXAMPLE
- why do we see the different auto theft rates across neighbourhoods?
- why has the number of juveniles involved in gangs increased?
, 4. Application - Answers - -examine the impact of some intervention or potential
intervention on Y (the DV)
*2 types
-Evaluation (program evaluation)
- Problem analysis (policy analysis)
Evaluation (program evaluation) - Answers - - examines the actual impact of X on Y,
where X is a program/intervention
EXAMPLE
- does criminal justice program 'X' produce the intended results?
- does intervention 'X' reduce symptoms of disorder 'Y'?
Problem analysis (policy analysis) - Answers - - examines the potential impact of X on Y
>>> future orientated
The scientific method - Answers - - one way of "knowing" the world
- a set of procedures designed to reduce bias
>>> foundation
>>> 3 general steps/ pillars
Foundation (scientific method) - Answers - rational and systemic observation
3 general steps/pillars (scientific method) - Answers - 1. Theory/hypothesis
2. Observation (data collection)
3. Data analysis
What is theory? - Answers - - a set of concepts and the proposed relationships among
these concepts
Hypothesis - Answers - - a prediction (expected result) based on logic derived from a
theory
>>> must include the direction of the association
EX. X will increase the likelyhood of Y, X will decrease the likelyhood of Y
Characteristics of "good" theory - Answers - 1. Logical consistency
2. Parsmonious
3. Scope
4. Testable
5. Empirical Support
6. Practical Utility
1. Logical consistency - Answers - - do the propositions (statements) made within the
theory make sense with one another
- the statements SHOULD NOT contradict one another
