Research Data critically represents a part of the research study that provides evidence. In criminal justice, data collection is done using specific research methods, to obtain reliable and accurate information (Hagan, 1982). Criteria for gathering data in the field of criminal justice follows strict rules, which aim at providing prudence if data collected, and also to prevent intervening factors for manipulating the data collected (Taylor, 1994). The criterion follows the use of credible means, such as interviews and non-interactive means such as observation. Furthermore, the criterion follows the principle of either manipulating respondents to give required information, or to source data that is not contravened (Taylor, 1994).
Principally, the research study will use surveys for data collection, and as a research method. Surveys are reliable to promote the goal of the study, by providing qualitative data. Qualitative data is important in criminal justice research, as it gives concrete variables to the researcher, from which the analysis of the study can be based. Both qualitative survey and quantitative survey means will be used, but the qualitative means will have more emphasis. Qualitative means are more advantageous than quantitative methods because the establishment of probable trends in qualitative methods is easier than Quantitative (Taylor, 1994). Tools for collecting qualitative data such as interviews provide the researcher with the incentive to probe further about a topic of interest. Moreover, qualitative methods of collecting data on criminal justice such as observation provide accurate data, which is not influenced by the researcher, and thus is not subjected to bias and malicious manipulations.
Interviews are an important part of studying criminal justice, as they provide vast advantages to the researcher. For the research on criminal justice, the use of unstructured interviews provides the researcher with a great leverage on data collected (Hagan, 1982). Unstructured interviews do not follow a distinct pattern, and thus the interviewer can provide supporting questions to help in gaining credible data. Research data collected through unstructured interviews is likely to ordain more credibility that research data collected through structured interviews. Structured interviews are rigid, and hence the researcher cannot deviate from the rules.
Both interviews and observations require guidance for the use of research questions, which prevent the collection of ambiguous data that is detrimental to the study. However, during data collection, the consideration of confidentiality, as well as informed consent is important to the research study (Hagan, 1982). For instance, informed consent is important in reducing hostilities from the data collection process, especially in the case of interviews and observation (Taylor, 1994). Furthermore, confidentiality is important to ensure that respondents do not give tailored data, or shun participation. Therefore, confidentiality and informed consent should be provided to avert adversities that may arise from research activities (Hagan, 1982).
Hypothetically, research questions for the study may include open-ended or sometimes close ended questions. For instance, the research on the practicability of the policies of criminal justice may include a question like, ‘What is your opinion on the role of criminal justice policies in our correction system’? Such questions provide the incentive of the respondent to provide the study with qualitative data.
Confidentiality for the research data collection can be provided through short clauses read to the interviewees, or agreement contracts are written on questionnaires, to reduce the biases of data. Research studies that follow the confidentiality clauses provide are bound to achieve better ethical practices when conducting research on criminal justice (Hagan, 1982).
References
Hagan, F. E. (1982). Research methods in criminal justice and criminology. New York: Macmillan.
Taylor, R. B. (1994). Research methods in criminal justice. New York: McGraw-Hill.
