Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology
- Callie Marie Rennison - University of Colorado Denver, USA
- Timothy C. Hart - Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus
Additional resources:
Other Titles in:
Research Methods for Criminology & Criminal Justice | Sociological Research Methods
Research Methods for Criminology & Criminal Justice | Sociological Research Methods
April 2018 | 568 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
“This is a great text. It is comprehensive and easy to understand. The illustrations will enable students to learn and remember the information. This is the first research methods text I have read that is actually fun to read.”
—Tina L. Freiburger, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology connects key concepts to real field research and practices using contemporary examples and recurring case studies that demonstrate how concepts relate to students’ lives. Authors Callie M. Rennison and Timothy C. Hart introduce practical research strategies used in criminal justice to show students how a research question can become a policy that changes or influences criminal justice practices. The book’s student-driven approach addresses both the why and the how as it covers the research process and focuses on the practical application of data collection and analysis. By demonstrating the variety of ways research can be used and reinforcing the need to discern quality research, the book prepares students to become critical consumers and ethical producers of research.
Free Poster: How to conduct a literature review
Give your students the SAGE edge!
SAGE edge offers a robust online environment featuring an impressive array of free tools and resources for review, study, and further exploration, keeping both instructors and students on the cutting edge of teaching and learning. Learn more at edge.sagepub.com/rennisonrm.
Available with Perusall—an eBook that makes it easier to prepare for class!
Perusall is an award-winning eBook platform featuring social annotation tools that allow students and instructors to collaboratively mark up and discuss their SAGE textbook. Backed by research and supported by technological innovations developed at Harvard University, this process of learning through collaborative annotation keeps your students engaged and makes teaching easier and more effective. Learn more.
—Tina L. Freiburger, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology connects key concepts to real field research and practices using contemporary examples and recurring case studies that demonstrate how concepts relate to students’ lives. Authors Callie M. Rennison and Timothy C. Hart introduce practical research strategies used in criminal justice to show students how a research question can become a policy that changes or influences criminal justice practices. The book’s student-driven approach addresses both the why and the how as it covers the research process and focuses on the practical application of data collection and analysis. By demonstrating the variety of ways research can be used and reinforcing the need to discern quality research, the book prepares students to become critical consumers and ethical producers of research.
Free Poster: How to conduct a literature review
Give your students the SAGE edge!
SAGE edge offers a robust online environment featuring an impressive array of free tools and resources for review, study, and further exploration, keeping both instructors and students on the cutting edge of teaching and learning. Learn more at edge.sagepub.com/rennisonrm.
Available with Perusall—an eBook that makes it easier to prepare for class!
Perusall is an award-winning eBook platform featuring social annotation tools that allow students and instructors to collaboratively mark up and discuss their SAGE textbook. Backed by research and supported by technological innovations developed at Harvard University, this process of learning through collaborative annotation keeps your students engaged and makes teaching easier and more effective. Learn more.
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
PART 1 GETTING STARTED
Chapter 1 Why Study Research Methods?
| Introduction |
| Why Are Research Methods Important? |
| Typical Stages of Research |
| Essential Role of Ethics in Research |
| Researcher Case Studies and a Road Map |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
PART 2 SETTING THE STAGE FOR YOUR RESEARCH
Chapter 2 Identifying a Topic, a Purpose, and a Research Question
| Introduction |
| Why Identify a Topic, a Purpose, and a Research Question? |
| How to Identify a Research Topic |
| How to Identify the Purpose/ Goal of Research |
| Gathering More Information and Refining the Topic |
| How to Construct the Research Question |
| Common Pitfalls When Developing Topics, Purposes, and Research Questions |
| Ethical Considerations When Developing Your Topic, Purpose, and Research Question |
| IRB Expert—Sharon Devine, JD, PhD |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
Chapter 3 Conducting a Literature Review
| Introduction |
| Why Conduct a Literature Review? |
| A Road Map: How to Conduct a Literature Review |
| About Sources |
| Finding Primary or Original Sources |
| Writing the Literature Review |
| Common Pitfalls of Literature Reviews |
| Ethics and the Literature Review |
| Literature Review Expert—Sean McCandless, PhD |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
PART 3 DESIGNING YOUR RESEARCH
Chapter 4 Concepts, Conceptualizations, Operationalizations, Measurements, Variables, and Data
| Introduction |
| Why Focus on Concepts, Conceptualizations, Operationalizations, Measurements, Variables, and Data? |
| What Are Concepts? |
| What Is Conceptualization? |
| What Is Operationalization? |
| What Are Variables? |
| What Are Measures? |
| What Are Data? |
| Overview of the Road From Concepts to Variables |
| Common Pitfalls in Concepts, Conceptualizations, Operationalizations, Measurements, Variables, and Data in Research Design |
| Ethics Associated With Concepts, Conceptualizations, Operationalizations, Measurements, Variables, and Data |
| Concepts, Conceptualizations, Operationalizations, Measurements, Variables, and Data Expert— Brenidy Rice |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
Chapter 5 Sampling
| Introduction |
| Why Is Sampling Important? |
| What Is Sampling? |
| Populations and Samples |
| Census or a Sample? |
| Unit of Analysis |
| Ecological Fallacy |
| Individualist Fallacy |
| Choosing a Sampling Approach |
| How Large Should My Sample Be? |
| Common Pitfalls Related to Sampling |
| Ethics Associated With Sampling |
| Sampling Expert—Sam Gallaher, PhD |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
PART 4 COLLECTING YOUR DATA
Chapter 6 Research Using Qualitative Data
| Introduction |
| Why Conduct Research Using Qualitative Data? |
| What Is Research Using Qualitative Data? |
| Considerations: Research Using Qualitative Data |
| Approaches Used to Gather Qualitative Data |
| Recording Qualitative Data |
| Organizing and Analyzing Qualitative Data |
| Common Pitfalls in Research Using Qualitative Data |
| Ethics Associated With Research Using Qualitative Data |
| Qualitative Data Research Expert—Carol Peeples |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
Chapter 7 Survey Research
| Introduction |
| Why Conduct Survey Research? |
| What Are Surveys? |
| General Steps in Survey Research |
| Surveys Across Research Purposes |
| How Are Surveys Distributed? |
| Designing Your Own Survey |
| Survey Administration |
| Easy-to-Use Survey Software |
| Common Pitfalls in Survey Research |
| Ethical Considerations in Survey Research |
| Surveying Expert—Bridget Kelly, MA |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
Chapter 8 Experimental Research
| Introduction |
| Why Conduct Experimental Research? |
| What Is Experimental Research? |
| True Experiments |
| Validity |
| Reliability |
| Beyond True Experiments |
| Pre-Experimental Research |
| Quasi-Experimental Research |
| Natural Experiments |
| Common Pitfalls in Experimental Research |
| Ethics and Experimental Research |
| Experimental Research Expert—Chris Keating, PhD |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
Chapter 9 Research Using Secondary Data
| Introduction |
| Why Conduct Research Using Secondary Data? |
| What Are Secondary Data? |
| Frequently Used Secondary Data |
| Disadvantages of Using Secondary Data |
| Reporting Findings From Secondary Data Analysis |
| Common Pitfalls in Secondary Data Analysis |
| Ethics Associated With Secondary Data Analysis |
| Secondary Data Expert— Jenna Truman, PhD |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
Chapter 10 GIS and Crime Mapping
| Introduction |
| Why Conduct Research Using GIS and Crime Mapping Techniques? |
| What Is GIS? |
| What Is Crime Mapping and Analysis? |
| Crime Analysis in Academic Research |
| Reporting Findings From GIS and Crime Mapping Studies |
| Common Pitfalls in GIS and Crime Mapping Analysis |
| Ethical Considerations in GIS and Crime Mapping Research |
| GIS and Crime Mapping Expert— Henri Buccine-Schraeder, MA |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
Chapter 11 Evaluation Research
| Introduction |
| Why Use Evaluation Research? |
| What Is Evaluation Research? |
| Types of Evaluation Research |
| Distinctive Purposes of Evaluation and Basic Research |
| Characteristics of Effective Evaluations |
| Common Pitfalls in Evaluation Research |
| Ethics Associated With Evaluation Research |
| Evaluation Research Expert— Michael Shively, PhD |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
PART 5 ANALYSIS, FINDINGS, AND WHERE TO GO FROM THERE
Chapter 12 Analysis and Findings
| Introduction |
| Why Analysis? |
| How Should Data Be Analyzed? |
| Analysis of Quantitative Data |
| Qualitative Data Analysis |
| Data Analysis Software |
| Alternative Analytic Approaches |
| Reporting Findings From Your Research |
| Common Pitfalls in Data Analysis and Developing Findings |
| Ethics Associated With Analyzing Your Data and Developing Your Findings |
| Analysis and Findings Expert— Sue Burton |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
Chapter 13 Making Your Research Relevant
| Introduction |
| Why Conduct Policy-Relevant Research? |
| What Is Policy-Relevant Research? |
| What Is Policy? |
| Who Are Policy Makers? |
| The Policy Process |
| Challenges of Getting Research to Policy Makers |
| Maximizing Chances of Producing Policy-Relevant Research |
| Common Pitfalls in Producing Policy-Relevant Research |
| Ethics and Conducting Policy Relevant Research |
| Policy Expert—Katie TePas |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
Chapter 14 Research Methods as a Career
| Introduction |
| Why Research Methods as a Career? |
| Where Do I Get Started? |
| Career Search Documents |
| Public- Versus Private-Sector Jobs |
| Where to Look for a Career |
| Interviewing Well |
| Pitfalls and Career Searches |
| Ethics and Career Searches |
| Research Methods as a Career Expert—Nora Scanlon, MA |
| Chapter Wrap-Up |
Appendix
Glossary
References
Index
Supplements
Student Study Site
SAGE edge for Students provides a personalized approach to help students accomplish their coursework goals in an easy-to-use learning environment.
- Mobile-friendly eFlashcards strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts.
- Mobile-friendly practice quizzes allow for independent assessment by students of their mastery of course material.
- Learning objectives reinforce the most important material.
- Carefully selected chapter-by-chapter video and multimedia content which enhance classroom-based explorations of key topics
- EXCLUSIVE! Access to certain full-text SAGE journal articles have been carefully selected for each chapter. Each article supports and expands on the concepts presented in the chapter.
Instructor Resource Site
SAGE edge for Instructors supports teaching by making it easy to integrate quality content and create a rich learning environment for students.
- Test banks that provide a diverse range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity to edit any question and/or insert personalized questions to effectively assess the students’ progress and understanding.
- Editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides offer complete flexibility for creating a multimedia presentation for the course.
- Lecture Notes summarize key concepts on a chapter-by-chapter basis to help with preparation for lectures and class discussions.
- Chapter-specific discussion questions to help launch engaging classroom interaction while reinforcing important content
- Carefully selected chapter-by-chapter video and multimedia content which enhance classroom-based explorations of key topics
“This is a great text. It is comprehensive and easy to understand. The illustrations will enable students to learn and remember the information. This is the first research methods text I have read that is actually fun to read.”
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
“An excellent and well-organized introduction for students to the techniques, strategies, designs, and skills necessary to conduct criminal justice and criminological research for shaping public policy. Students will benefit immensely from the concepts and examples referenced throughout the book by being able to understand how research methods are applied to public safety initiatives. Students will obtain a fresh perspective on the value of the scientific method and how it’s being applied to investigate public safety phenomena. The chapters I reviewed for the Rennison textbook do an amazing and parsimonious job of explaining to both novices and experts that the narrative of crime research is a fundamental component in understanding how crime research has developed historically and how continues to evolve with the growth of technology, software, statistical techniques, big data, and cloud computing power.”
California State University, Stanislaus
“This text is easy to read and understand. The examples given provide all students with the understanding of how these concepts touch their lives each day.”
Claflin University
“A solid book that covers all the key issues that would need to be covered in any introductory research methods course…this book uses a unique approach that will really engage students in a way most other books fail to do”
Florida State University
“This book makes more use of contemporary research than other criminal justice research methods texts…”
Penn State Harrisburg
“…This is an informative, reader-friendly, and practice-oriented text designed for lower-level undergraduate students who are new to research methodology. It is loaded with contemporary pedagogies to meet the needs of learners of various backgrounds.”
Indiana University South Bend
This book was one of the best CJ research methods book I have ever encountered.
Social Science Dept, Marywood University
February 27, 2018
Sample Materials & Chapters
Chapter 3- Conducting Literature Review
Chapter 13- Making Your Research Relevant
