Quantitative research methods are most generally worried with weighing criminological or criminal justice existence. In order for this method to be understood, there are numerous amounts of conditions which must be initially recognized. Concepts are hypothetical labels assigned on reality that are appointed binary characters, hence making them changeable. Variables are then investigated to inspect designs of affiliation, as well as a chain of reaction. At the most basic level, there exists at least one dependent variable and one independent variable. The dependent variable is commonly referred to as the outcome variable. This is what the researcher is attempting to predict. The independent variable is commonly referred to as the predictor variable, and it is the variable that causes, determines, or precedes in time the dependent variable (Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice, 2002). Consider the following examples. Even at the main level, one self-reliant, as well as one dependent variable is present. The self-reliant variable is frequently referred to as the end result variable. This variable is what the analyst is trying to guess. The dependent variable is most generally referred to as the fortune teller, and it is the one that provokes, concludes, or anticipates sooner or later the self-reliant variable. Opposed to quantitative research methods, qualitative methods are intended to seize existence as members encounter it, instead of in classifications decided in advance by
This article was produced by scholars. Reflection on article: I believe this article has portrayed something that I would like to incorporate in my final research paper. . Ariel, Barak; Farrar, William A.; Sutherland, Alex. In: Journal of Quantitative Criminology.
Positivism can be described as a way of thinking about the basis on which knowledge can be classified as scientific. And that scientific knowledge has the ability to measure criminal behaviour and nature of criminal behaviour using secondary statistical data and methods linked with the biological, psychological and sociological knowledge to identify key causes of crime. In this way, scientific knowledge could ultimately provide universal explanations of crime that would apply to all situations and therefore is always objective. (Walklate, 1998). Quantitative research continues to be conducted in criminology but no longer adheres to a narrow positivist research tradition in which a casual explanation is used for crime. Instead, quantitative researchers take into account the vast amount of factors that may influence or cause crime. Similarly, qualitative research is significant due to the growth in new theoretical perspectives; qualitative researchers have moved away from causes of crime to exploring the process by which crimes are created and social reactions to crime.
Criminal behavior has been around for centuries, which is why many criminologist study and create theories based on criminal behaviors. They do this as a preventative measure, if you can find a causation of a crime you can stop its occurrences. Criminologist, took these theories and broke them down into three major factors of criminal behavior, psychological, sociological, and biological. Each factor focuses on a key component of criminal behavior, which is explained in theories. However, these theories all have strengths and weaknesses, which is what will be illustrated in this article.
dependent variables, (2) treatment and control groups, and (3) pretesting and post-testing ("Experimental Criminology - Criminal Justice - IResearchNet," n.d.)”.
As part of the distinct aspects of criminal justice policy, the different criminology theories have significant impacts on the criminal justice system. The different theories of crime are used to explain criminal justice policy and the criminal justice system. These theories were developed by different people in attempts to explain criminal justice. In addition, criminological theories assist is shaping the society's reaction to offense in relation to preventing criminal behavior and reaction to it after it takes place. One of the major reasons for the development of these theories by criminologists is to explain why crimes occur through observing criminal behavior. Since the beginning of the 20th Century, the theories of crime have become increasingly multidisciplinary since they span across different fields of study. This trend is attributed to attempts by independent criminologists to understand crime itself instead of examining it as general psychological or sociological theory (Lynch, n.d.).
Throughout history there has been many theories related to crime causation as it relates to juvenile status offenders, violent adult offenders, and juvenile delinquents. These theories can play a very important role as it relates to courtroom preceding in the criminal justice system. Furthermore, officers of the court for juvenile offenders can utilize these theories. Therefore, I will discuss five theories that can be utilized by all of these people in the criminal justice system.
The theory of Travis Hirschi, which is the social bond theory focuses on the concept of the causes and the acts of delinquency, which is what this theory is extracted from. This theory emerges when an individual’s bonds to the society and the community around them are weak or broken (Topak, 2017). The social bond theory can be described as the belief that socialization and personal relationships are significant aspects of human development, which keep individuals from committing crimes (Topak, 2017). The social bond theory is composed of four key components which are the following: attachment, commitment, involvement, and beliefs (Topak, 2017). In
Throughout history various schools of thought have been created; all attempting to explain why people commit crimes, how to identify criminals, and how we should react to these criminals. These early theories were predominantly deterministic, meaning they all believed there was some trait that can differentiate criminals and non-criminals. Determinism is an important part of the history of criminology and has had a large impact on modern criminology; but these theories are inherently problematic and have some very unfortunate implications.
Further, understanding crime causation in particular types of criminals or situations is beneficial to understand in order to prevent future offences. For example, serial killers are specific types of criminals and they have their own characteristics. Serial killers differ from murderers in that they usually have specific targets, are not social misfits, are in plain sight, usually employed, often overlooked by police, not motivated by sex, and can stop killing for a period of time. Understanding these distinctions would not be possible without research. Research allows us to gain knowledge about the different types of serial killers- visionaries, mission-oriented, and hedonistic- and their tendencies.
The most important part of describing the research process in criminology and criminal justice research methods consists of being familiar with terminology. The knowledge of proper terminology can be an asset when evaluating, and analyzing research studies or data. However, not knowing the proper terminology when conducting research could affect an officer’s report negatively. Those interested in the study of criminology and criminal justice has a wide range of research methods. Following the research process will strengthen the chance of obtaining a successful, well researched project.
Maxwell (2005) also notes that qualitative research can be used to address various issues and is not restricted to one ontological stance. The method also involves developing a relationship with the people one is studying, an aspect that is important in defining the authenticity of the data and determining the course of action.
The field of criminology is basically described as the study of crime through which the causes, prevention, and correction of offenses are examined. While this process can be extremely difficult, especially for students, the analysis of the causes of crime is significant to sociology and criminology. The difficulties associated with the study of crime originate from the numerous challenges in developing theories that explain human behavior. In relation to crime, human behavior varies because participants differ in backgrounds, experiences, and characteristics. However, several criminologists and other social scientists have made important contributions in explaining criminal behavior. These contributions have mainly involved the establishment of several theories on crime that focus on various aspects of criminal behavior. Some of the major theories on crime include classical, positivist, individual trait, sociological, and integrated theories.
This paper is about the terminology used in research and the processes in which are used in research. In this paper the reader will learn how not knowing the proper terminology can have an effect on someone that is trying to conduct a criminal justice research project. It will also tell how by being knowledgeable of the correct terms it can be a positive feature to the researcher when examining and weighing up data or following a line of investigation information. And lastly, it will also explain how the knowledge and terminology can and will be relevant to a career in the criminal justice field.
Criminology is the scientific study of crime as an individual and social phenomenon. Criminological research areas include the incidence of crime as well as its causes and consequences. They also include social and governmental regulations and reactions to crime. Nation master.com (2013) highlights that “in criminology the positivist school has attempted to find scientific objectivity for the measurement and quantification of criminal behaviour”. The Positivist School of thought presumes that criminal behaviour is caused by various internal and external factors which are outside of the individual 's control. The scientific method was introduced and applied to the study of human behaviour. Positivism can be broken up into three segments which include biological, psychological and social positivism Nation master (2013)
Criminology focuses on the causes, incidences and control of individual and group criminal behaviour. In criminology, there are many theories that focus on causal analysis of the crime. They are termed as the crime-causation theories. These theories aim at coming up with certain generalization as to be able to explain the causal connection between the factors which may lubricate or lead to the existence of crime in our society and crime itself. The debate on why people commit crime is a difficult one to settle down. Causation theories in criminology are important as their understanding will help us to