Jennifer L. Schulenberg
Written specifically for Canadian students, this practical exploration of research methods in criminology offers balanced coverage of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, preparing students to design, interpret, and appraise empirical research.
Note: Every chapter includes:
- Learning Objectives
- Introduction
- Summary of Important Points
- Key Terms
- Review Questions and Exercises
- Online Exercises and Websites of Interest
- Additional Resources
Part One: An Introduction to Scientific
Inquiry
1. What Is Scientific Inquiry?
Ability to Question Information
Types of Knowledge
Theoretical Foundations
Types of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice
2. How Are Research Projects Structured?
Scientific Method
Cross-Sectional and
Longitudinal Research Designs
Practical Considerations: The Initial Steps to Designing a Research Project
Ethical and Political Considerations
Part Two: Nuts and Bolts of Conducting Research
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement
The Preliminary Steps of
Measurement
Quality of Measurement
Quantitative Research
Conclusion
4. How Do I Find My Research Subjects?
Logistical Considerations
Conclusion
5. Experimental Research Designs
Appropriate Topics and Research Questions
The Logic Behind
Experiments
Experimental Settings
True (Classical) Experiments
Pre- and Quasi-Experimental Designs
Threats to Internal and External Validity
Practical Aspects of Conducting Experiments
Conclusion
Part Three: Data Collection Techniques
6. Surveys and
Interviews
Research Applications
Surveys
Interviews
Focus Groups
Conclusion
7. Ethnographic Field Research
Some History
What Is Field Research?
Where Do I Start?
Field Roles
Gaining and Maintaining Access
Entering the Field
Field
Notes
I'm in the Field - Now What?
Alternative Approaches
Ethics
Conclusion
8. Unobtrusive Methods and Secondary Data
Historical Research
Content Analysis
Secondary Data Analysis
Agency Records
A Different Spin
Conclusion
Part Four:
Interpreting and Making Sense of the Data
9. Interpreting Quantitative Data
Preparing for Quantitative Analyses
Univariate Analysis: What Does My Data Look Like?
Bivariate Analysis: Are They Related?
Multivariate Statistics: Analyzing the Complexity of
Life
Conclusion
10. Interpreting Qualitative Data
Analyzing Numbers Versus Words
The Process of Analyzing the Data
The Method to the Madness
Nuts and Bolts: Where Do I Start?
Putting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together
Grounded Theory
Looking at the Analysis
a Different Way: Some Alternatives
Computer-Assisted Data Analysis
Authenticity: Evaluating Qualitative Research
Conclusion
Part Five: Taking Methods a Step Further
11. Evaluation Research
Defining Evaluation Research
Goals and Purpose of Evaluation
Research
Theory and Practice in Evaluation Research
Evaluation Research Design
Types of Evaluation Research
Negotiating the Politics and Ethics of Evaluation Research
12. Mixed Methods: An Integrated Approach
Defining Mixed Methods
Why Go to the
Trouble?
Methodological Controversies
What Are We Trying to Do With Mixed Methods?
Common Characteristics in Mixed Methods Designs
Types of Mixed Methods Research Designs
Methodological Gymnastics
Conclusion
Appendix A: The Research Proposal and "Writing It
Up"
Introduction
Research Proposal
Written Reports
Words to Maintain Sanity
Websites of Interest
Additional Resources
Appendix B: Reading and Interpreting Published Research
Introduction
Where Do I Start Reading?
Questions by Article
Selection
Questions by Method
Websites of Interest
Additional Resources
Appendix C: Random Number Table
Appendix D: Sources of Secondary Data in Social Science Research
General International Sources of Data
Secondary Data Depositories
Historical Data
Sources
Crime- and Justice-Specific Depositories
Individual Crime and Criminal Justice Surveys
Glossary
References
Index
Instructor's Manual:
Sample syllabus
For each chapter:
Chapter summary
3-5 discussion or debate ideas
3-5 class assignments or activities
3-5 annotated lecture aids (website, article, book, research study)
PowerPoint Slides:
For each chapter:
15-25
slides
Test Bank:
15-20 multiple choice questions
5-10 true-or-false questions
3-5 short answer questions
E-Book (ISBN 9780199000685)
Jennifer Schulenberg is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in juvenile delinquency, sexuality and the law, the criminal justice system, socio-legal responses to crime, and
research methods. She has written extensively in the areas of social control, police decision-making, culture and misconduct, research methods, and youth crime. Her work has been published in such journals as the Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Quality & Quantity, Criminal
Justice Policy Review, and in numerous government reports. She was awarded the Governor General's Academic Gold Medal, an honour that recognized the outstanding quality and the landmark nature of her work with police services across Canada. She has frequently served as an invited speaker and
presented her work around the world for academic audiences, government agencies, and police services. She has strong research relationships with Canadian police services, and continues to investigate police practice using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research designs.
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