Criminal Justice Research design EXAM 2

place

(process and impact) However, we must know whether or not a process is in (?) so that we know whether to attribute a particular impact (or lack thereof) to that process.

bias

(sampling bias) A researcher's sampling method may actually (?) the sample.

process evaluation

(linking the process to evaluation) (?) - focus is on program outputs - the researcher wants to be sure that "treatment" was implemented as intended.

impact assessment

(linking the process to evaluation) (?) - seek to determine whether a program had the intended effect on the problem it was meant to address.

Program evaluation

(linking the process to evaluation) (?) : the use of research procedures to systematically assess the effectiveness of social intervention programs.

policies

(linking the process to evaluation) [2 central questions:] 1) are the (?) being implemented as planned? 2) Are (?) achieving their intended goals?

Process, impact

(linking the process to evaluation) [2 types of assessments/evaluations are conducted:] 1) (?) evaluation 2) (?) assessment

probability sampling

(why do we sample?) (?) techniques enable us to make relatively few observations and then generalize from those observations to a much wider population.

data

(why do we sample?) It is often impossible and unnecessary to collect (?) from all possible unites of analysis.

research

(evaluation research) [there has been a growth in evaluation research over the past several decades. Why?] 3) availability of (?) funds to meet this requirement

accountability

(evaluation research) What is one implication of this increased interest in program evaluations? This increases concern for the (?) of public officials and public policy. CJ agencies are expected to justify the effectiveness and cost of their actions.

Difference

(evaluation research) [there has been a growth in evaluation research over the past several decades. Why?] 1) CJ researchers desire to make a (?) in the world.

observed

(introduction) A critical part of research is deciding what will be (?) and what won't.

non probability samples in review

(?) - Most appropriate when it is impossible to determine the probability that any given element will be selected in a sample. - May be necessary when the target population is a difficult to locate or even identify.

what is the purpose of sampling

(?) > To select a set of elements from a population in such a way that the sample statistics accurately portray the population parameters.

Questionnaires

(guidelines for asking questions) Researchers may use (?) with questions and statements

Sampling

(introduction) (?) refers to selecting part of a population

evaluation research in practice

(?) - As a researcher trying to evaluate a program, you may need to: > Help CJ officials formulate testable goals. > determine whether conditions necessary for conducting an evaluation are present. > Develop the measures and data collection method.

Double-barreled

(Additional Guidelines) 1. Do not ask combination, or "(?)" questions. Example: Do you agree with the police chief's decision to cut back on randomized patrols and increase community policing efforts?

items

(Additional Guidelines) 2. Short (?) are best - respondents are not likely to study a question to understand it.

negative

(Additional Guidelines) 3. Avoid (?) items - (?)s make it easy for respondents to misinterpret the question.

biased

(Additional Guidelines) 4. (?) items and terms - The meaning of a given response to a question depends in part on the wording of the question. - Many terms have political and social overtones. - Be aware of the social desirability of questions. People try to provide answers that will make them look good.

natural

(Field Research) Most appropriate when conditions or behavior must be studied in (?) settings. > by going directly to the phenomenon, we can develop a deeper understanding of it. > Appropriate for topics that go beyond simple quantification. > May recognize nuances of attitudes, behaviors, and settings that are missed in survey research.

Samples

(How do I know what to sample?) (?) may consist of people, places, things, time periods, etc.

units of analysis

(How do I know what to sample?) The subjects or cases in your study will be consistent with your (?) derived from your hypothesis.

Face-to-face

(In-person interview surveys) (?) interviews are best for complex questionnaires and other special needs. - more expensive than self-administered. - Higher completion rates

field research

(Introduction) (?) Involves two methods of data: 1) making direct observations 2) asking questions

Researchers

(Introduction) (?) have a whole world of potential observations, yet we cannot observe everything.

Population

(Key terms) (?) - All the elements we wish to represent

Population parameter

(Key terms) (?) - The summary description of a given variable in a population

Sample element

(Key terms) (?) - Unit about which information is collected and that provides the basis of analysis

Sample statistic

(Key terms) (?) - the summary description of a given variable in the sample. > are used to make estimates of population parameters

demand

(The policy process) - ---> 1. (?) for a new course of action or opposition to existing policy examples: - rising crime rates - discrimination at sentencing - fear of crime.

participant-as-observer

(The various roles of the observer) (?) - The researcher participates in the group he is studying, but makes it clear he is also conducting research. > potential problems - Subjects, aware they are being studied, may change their behavior (no longer observing typical processes). - "going native" - researcher identifies with the interests and viewpoints of the subjects and loses the detachment necessary for unbiased research.

observer-as-participant

(The various roles of the observer) (?) - identifies self as a researcher and interacts with participants during their daily activities. > does not attempt to actually participate.

complete observer

(The various roles of the observer) (?) - observes process without becoming a part of it in any way. > Subjects may not even realize they are being studied. > Less likely to "go native" or affect the process; also less likely to completely understand what is being studied.

Full Participant

(The various roles of the observer) (?) - some argue subjects may be more honest if researcher acts as a full participant. > Poses several ethical, scientific, practical, and safety problems: - Deception of subjects - Researcher's participation may affect social processing studied. - Full participation in CJ institutions is rarely possible. -safety risks to researcher.

continuum

(The various roles of the observer) The researcher's participation exists along a (?): Full participant | participant as observer | observer as participant | complete observer <------------------------------------------------------>

Policy Analysis

(evaluation research) (?) : helps public officials examine and choose from alternative actions. Virtually all types of designs, measures and data collection techniques can be used in evaluation research.

Purpose

(evaluation research) (?) : to evaluate the impact of policies.

federal

(evaluation research) [there has been a growth in evaluation research over the past several decades. Why?] 2) Increased (?) requirements for program evaluations to accompany the implementation of new programs.

stakeholders

(evaluations research in practice) when considering potential goals, you may be dealing with multiple (?). (?) - persons or organizations with a direct interest in the program. These (?) may have different ideas abut what this program should accomplish.

accomplish

(example: Policy making) 2. Policy makers consider ultimate goals they wish to (?) and different means of achieving those goals. goal: reduce the number of fatalities potential means: - automatic arrest for all DUI -5 new "checkpoints" strategically placed each weekend - educational campaign to teach young adults about the dangers of drinking and driving.

implement

(example: Policy making) 3. A policy is (?)ed. EX: The PD decides to (?) the checkpoints each weekend.

output

(example: Policy making) 4. policy (?)s refer to what is actually produced. These (?)s are the means to achieve the desired goal. Ex: The police department changes its routine. Five cars with 2 officers each are assigned to checkpoints. ex: process evaluation will determine whether these officers were actually at their checkpoints and checking drivers with the frequency and manner that they were supposed to based on the policy plan.

ends

(example: Policy making) 5. The policy impacts are fundamentally related to the policy goals. In other words. they are the (?) to the means. ex: did the checkpoint intervention actually reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities? If so, by how much? ex: impact assessment will be conducted to determine whether the intervention actually produced the desired outcome.f

support

(example: policy making) 1. begins with a demand that appears as (?) for a new course of action or opposition to existing policy. ex: Citizens, the police officers, and public officials are concerned about the number of alcohol related traffic fatalities.

Subcultures

(gaining access to subjects) (?) - useful to use informants to gain initial access.

sponsor

(gaining access to subjects) Formal Organizations (?) - contact with a person who is personally known to and respected by the director.

Appearance and Demeanor

(general rules for interviewing) 1) (?) > interviewer should dress similar to the people being interviewed > Demeanor should be pleasant and friendly > A good interviewer will be able to "read" the respondent and adapt accordingly.

Familiarity with the Questionnaire

(general rules for interviewing) 2. (?) > Read the questions as though they are part of a natural conversation

Probing for responses

(general rules for interviewing) 3. (?) > probes are frequently required to elicit responses to open-ended questions. > It is imperative that the probe be completely neutral.

Close-ended questions

(guidelines for asking questions) (?) - respondent is asked to select an answer from among a list provided by the researcher. Example: Which of the following is the most pressing crime problem in your neighborhood? a) drug dealing b) vandalism c) thefts from autos d) burglary > (?) are more uniform, making them easier to process. - Researcher must include all important answers as options; needs to have a god understanding of the topic.

Open-ended questions

(guidelines for asking questions) (?) - the respondent is asked to provide his/her own answer. Example: What is the most pressing crime problem in your neighborhood? Potential problem: Because these answers must be coded for analysis, the researcher must interpret the meaning of responses. Could bias research if the researcher misinterprets the meaning of the response.

Likert Scale

(guidelines for asking questions) A (?) is a format in which respondents are asked their opinion of a particular statement. They are provided with options such as: -strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree -strongly approve, approve, disapprove, strongly disapprove

clear and unambiguous

(guidelines for asking questions) Make items (?) Researchers sometimes become so involved in their topic that they create questions which are (?) to them, but not to respondents. "what do you think of the police chief's decision regarding patrol?"

snowball sampling

(nonprobability sampling) (?) - Begins by identifying a single subject or a small number of subjects and then asking the subject to identify others like himself or herself who might be willing to participate in the study. - commonly used in field observation studies of specialized interviewing.

Purposive sampling

(nonprobability sampling) 1). (?) The units are selected based on the researchers judgement about which ones will be best suited for the research purpose.

convenience sampling

(nonprobability sampling) The reliance on available subjects - Also known as (?) - Fairly easy & low cost.

Random selection

(probability sampling) (?) - Each element has an equal chance of being selected independently of any other even in the selection process. Ex: coin toss (each toss is independent of the previous toss)

known chance or probability

(probability sampling) Each member of a population has a (?) of being selected.

observed cases

(probability sampling) Helps researchers generalize from (?) (i.e., sample) to unobserved cases (i.e., population)

predictions

(probability sampling) Makes it possible to make (?) that our sample accurately represents a larger population.

operationalization & measurement.

(recording observations) Methods for recording observations directly related to issues of (?) Examples: 1) cameras and voice recorders 2) Field notes 3) structured observations (observer marks items similar to an interviewer marking a closed-ended questionnaire).

representative

(sampling bias) When this happens. the sample is not (?) of the population.

generalize

(sampling) We may want to (?) from a sample to an unobserved population the sample is intended to represent. -> E.g., the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on recidivism for violent offenders.

larger population

(sampling) We select samples to represent some (?) of people or other things. -> e.g., the average age of college students

adequately

(sampling) We want to select a sample that (?) reflects variations that exist in he population. If 65% of all college students in the population are employed part-time, our sample should have similar variation in it.

policy

(the policy process) - - --> 2. (?) makers consider ultimate goals they wish to accomplish and different means of achieving those goals.

formulated

(the policy process) -- - -> 3. Routine practices and decision rules must be (?) about how to respond to a recurring problem or issue. A standard course of action, or policy, is implemented.

policy outputs

(the policy process) --- - > 4. (?) refer to what is actually produced. The outputs are the means to achieve the desired goal.

policy impacts

(the policy process) ---- > 5. The (?) are fundamentally related to the policy goals. In other words, they are the ends to the means.

Asking questions

(three sources of data) 1) (?) >Surveys, individual interviews, focus groups.

Making Direct Observations

(three sources of data) 2) (?) > counting the number of participants at a meeting, administering a drug test, using radar to measure the speed of traffic.

Examining Written Records (or secondary data)

(three sources of data) 3) (?) > police records, court records, census data, UCR. > Data originally collected by making direct observations or asking people questions > Important to know how the data were originally collected.

Victimization

(topics appropriate for survey research) 1. (?) > Ask people about their (?) experiences. > Potential benefits: measure crimes not reported to the police. > Potential shortcomings: recall error, reluctance to discuss victimization.

Self-reports of Criminal Behavior

(topics appropriate for survey research) 2. (?) > Ask people about their own offending. > Useful for studying why people commit crimes. > Two possible applications: - Survey offenders (e.g., prisoners); focus is on studying frequency of offending. - Survey general population; focus is on prevalence of offending.

Perceptions and attitudes

(topics appropriate for survey research) 3. (?) > Useful for understanding what people think/feel about crime and CJ policy. Examples: fear of crime, sentencing policies, gun control, police performance.

Cluster sample

(types of sampling designs) (?) - A multistage sample in which natural groups (clusters) are sampled initially, with the members of each selected group being subsampled afterword. ex: a multistage (?) of U.S correctional Facility.

stratification

(types of sampling designs) (?) - Used in conjunction with simple random, systematic, or cluster sampling. > involved grouping the units of a population into a homogeneous groups (or strata) before sampling > this procedure improves the representativeness of a sample, at least in terms of the (?) variable > The (?) variable we choose should be related the the variable we want to represent accurately.

systematic designs

(types of sampling designs) (?) - probability sample > Every Kth unit in a list is selected for inclusion in the sample.

Simple random sampling

(types of sampling designs) (?) - probability sampling > units of a population are assigned numbers, a set of random numbers is then generated, and the units that have those numbers are included in the sample. > rarely used due to inefficiency.

nonprobability sample

It is not always possible to draw a probability sample. In a (?) the likelihood that any given element will be selected is not known.

impact

think of (?) as our dependent variable, or the effect.

process

think of (?) as out independent variable, or the treatment