Law
Introduction
The field of research has played a fundamental role in expanding and gaining new grounds in the pursuit of knowledge in every discipline. The field of criminal justice also values the importance of research in exploring new concepts to revolutionize the way the criminal justice system serves it purpose in the society. On the other hand, successfully conducting a study in the field of criminal justice encompasses a critical consideration on what method will deliver the most relevant results. The discussion will take a closer look at the three most widely used approach in criminal justice research such as qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research. In order to investigate how valuable the knowledge of research methods is for a consumer of research, three peer-reviewed literatures will be reviewed and determine the differences between the three research methods.
Examining the decision-making process of sex tourists using on-line data (A Qualitative Study)
Holt, Zeoli, and Bohrer (2013), have conducted a qualitative study on to determine the decision-making patterns of sex tourists in order to get a clear understanding of or criminal behavior as a whole. The study employed the use of qualitative approach where the primary data was obtained from multiple and open on-line web forums. When it is called open, it means that the web forums are not subject to restrictions of user-level agreements and the posted responses are open for public viewing (Holt et al., 2013). The collected data is in a form of conversations showing sexual solicitations between individuals from different point of location. In terms of data analysis, the approach involves recognizing patterns based on a set of criteria. The criteria includes variables such as , flow of discussion showing expressions of interest towards sexual encounter, travel plans, destination preference, and cultural dynamics of the individuals engaged in the forum conversation (Holt et al., 2013). The perceived patterns in the conversation was synthesized using systematic analysis based on the number of forum posts, user engagement to the posted topic of sex in the forum, and geographical location of the majority of forum users. After careful analysis, the findings of the study suggests that the content of the forum encompasses several macro-level factors that influence the micro-level decision-making process of sex tourists in terms of planning their trips for the purpose of sex (Holt et al., 2013). In addition, the study also concluded that the factors influencing the decision-making process of sex tourists includes economic situation, governmental policies, policing and law, and language spoken in the country of destination (Holt et al., 2013).
The described study demonstrate a knowledgeable use of quantitative method as observed on how the acquired data was synthesized, analyzed, and interpreted in the research. It demonstrates a valuable knowledge in the use of quantitative method for a consumer of research in terms of identifying patterns using secondary sources and present findings that encompasses utmost relevance in respect to the field of criminal justice. Furthermore, what determines the approach in the study as qualitative is the absence of statistical functions, which is often observed in quantitative method. In addition, the qualitative approach was identified in the study by reviewing the description of methods in the methodology section of the research.
Black, white, and unequal: Examining situational determinants of arrest decisions from police-suspect encounter (A Quantitative Study).
Brown (2005) have conducted a quantitative study on examining what determines the arrest decisions during a police-suspect encounter based on situations or other factors such as ethnic orientation. The study employed the use of quantitative method by gathering data from systematic social observations on how police officers in Cincinnati, Ohio conduct an arrest. The data gathering approach follows the street level systematic social observations model created by Frank, Novak, and Smith (as cited in Brown, 2005). In addition, observation activity was performed at the suspect level where the observed arrests were categorized according to the ethnic background of the suspects. The variables were measured according to frequency where arrest represents the dependent variable while the independent variable is the number of suspects arrested according to race. Another variable was added to the statistical model, which is the quantity of evidence obtained from the suspects that determines the seriousness of the offense. In terms of analytical approach, the study utilizes the multivariate analyses encompassing three logistic regression models, which is the key function that determines the influence of race on the suspect’s arrest. Based on the statistical findings of the study, the arrest decision on white (non-Hispanic) suspects is not influenced by extra-legal factors (Brown, 2005). Instead, odds of a Caucasian suspect to be arrested depends on the evidentiary factors and seriousness of the offence. On the contrary, black suspects particularly juveniles are four times likely to be arrested not entirely because of extra-legal factors, but the conduct and behavior that demonstrates guilt that triggers the decision of the police authority to make an arrest (Brown, 2005).
The valuable insight for a consumer of research provided by the study in terms of understanding the knowledge of research method is the effective use of statistical function in synthesizing empirical data. The collected data is empirical in nature because they were generated through systematic observation. However, what makes the approach quantitative is the manner of processing the data and application of statistical models to make sense of the underlying patterns from the numerical data. The approach is different from the previously discussed study because it demonstrates functionalities that are aligned with the pre-requites of a quantitative research such as numerical data, methodology, and pre-defined variables.
Transition services for incarcerated youth: A mixed method evaluation analysis (A Mixed-method study).
Abrams, Shannon, and Sangalang (2008) have conducted a study with an objective to identify the availability, efficiency, and adequacy of the transition services for incarcerated youth. The study employed the concept of mixed-method approach where both the qualitative and quantitative principles were utilized to draw out the outcomes. The focus of the study pertains to the implemented reentry and transition programs created for the incarcerated youth. The mixed-method approach was divided into two segments. First, the quantitative segment of the study was dedicated in analyzing the recidivism outcomes for the transition living program graduates (Abrams et al., 2008). On the other hand, the qualitative part of the study was dedicated to interpret the results of the interview with the TLP staff and youth participants regarding their perspectives about the TLP transition program. In the quantitative components, there are three variables (control = demographics, dependent = rate of recidivism, and independent = participation to the TLP program) from which the results of SPSS computation will be interpreted using descriptive statistics. The qualitative findings of the study through logistics regression analysis suggests that recidivism is the main cause of the youth participants’ failure to complete or refusal to be admitted to the transition program (Abrams et al., 2008). The same results were concluded from the analysis of the interview, which indicates recidivism as primary indicator of the transitions services for the incarcerated youth.
Based on the outcome of the study, the knowledge of research methods is valuable to a consumer of research because it determines the plausibility and credibility of the presented findings. Credibility in research outcome is extremely important because the facts presented in the study can potentially become the cornerstone of the future developments on the topic being explored. Any misleading and non-credible outcome would render future studies to be of the same irrelevance. Furthermore, the study also showed the effective approach in utilizing both methods with compromising the functions of each method. The difference mixed-method with the qualitative and quantitative approach is that the principles of the both quantitative and qualitative were integrated into one method that covers all needed aspects of a credible research. The mixed-method was recognized in the study by examining the methodology description, which both showed indications of variables and descriptive characteristics.
Conclusion
The field of research in criminal justice encompasses a variety of methodological approach that researchers in this field can utilize. However, the effectiveness of the described research methods depends on how the researcher incorporate the underlying principles of each research approach in order to successfully draw out the most relevant findings that could lead to future innovations in the field of criminal justice.
List of References
Abrams, L., Shannon, S., & Sangalang, C. (2008). Transition services for incarcerated youth: A mixed methods evaluation study. Children And Youth Services Review, 30(5), 522-535. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2007.11.003
Brown, R. (2005). Black, white, and unequal: Examining situational determinants of arrest decisions from police–suspect encounters. Criminal Justice Studies, 18(1), 51-68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786010500071121
Holt, T., Zeoli, A., & Bohrer, K. (2013). Examining the Decision-Making Processes of Sex Tourists using On-line Data. Journal Of Qualitative Criminal Justice And Criminology, 1(1), 121-151.
