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RESEARCH DESIGN:

What are you researching?

Identifying a researchable question

Assignment 1: Reviewing the Literature

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Elements research proposal1.Theoretical / Conceptual Framework

Crime Problem & CCJ Intervention

Literature Review Research

Questions & Aims

2. Plan of Execution for Study

Data Collection Methods: » Subjects for Study &

Measurement

Analysis References Schedule Budget

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How to design a research projectKey elements of the research design process:

• WHAT?• WHY?• HOW?• AT WHOM?• WHEN?• WHERE?• HOW OFTEN?

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Getting started: What are you researching?

Choosing a topic: • Identify a criminal justice intervention

• Get connected with the literature in your chosen area

• If you are unfamiliar with methods of accessing literature please see me and/or our Graduate TA during office hours.

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Your “WHAT” Question

What are you researching?» This is your main research question(s)» What do you want to investigate?

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Phase 1: Selecting a Topic (completed)

Beginning points for a line of research» Interests, ideas, theories, new programs» Why does something occur?» Why is this how it is?

These questions may lead to others you might like to explore

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CCJ interventions

A program or policy that is put in place to have a particular effect or result.

Typically to address a particular problem or to have some desired outcome, e.g.,

• to reduce crime, to increase the number of visible minority police officers, to improve parenting strategies, to improve police-community relations.

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Phase 1: Investigating Your Topic Find out what research has been done Read newspaper stories, journal articles,

check out the Internet, talk to relevant people Go to both Campbell Collaborative website

and crimesolutions.gov and look for research summaries

Figure out your objective & intended audience What is your purpose for undertaking the

research?

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Phase 2: Formulating Your Question

•Must be an empirical question:

•Answer must be ‘discoverable’ through observation/scientific investigation

•Must be as focused as possible; 3 examples• GOOD:How effective are offender treatment programs in prisons?

• Better:How effective are sex offender treatment programs in prisons?

• BEST:How effective is cognitive behavioural therapy in prisons at preventing recidivism among sex offenders?

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Phase 2: Refining Your Question• Identify GAPS in the Literature: focus on research quality issues here,

using review criteria developed for Campbell Collaborative reviews: 1- 5 scale

• How can you contribute to the existing body of knowledge on your topic? EXAMPLE:• What effect does public area CCTV have on citizens’ willingness

to exercise guardianship?

• Is CCTV a cost-effective alternative to crime prevention and control compared to natural forms of guardianship?

• Does CCTV have a negative effect on citizens fear of crime?

• Does CCTV have a deterrent effect on offenders?

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Avoid questions of value, philosophy or politicsFor example,

• Is rehabilitation a better objective for sentencing than punishment?

• What should we do about pornography?

• Is incarceration an appropriate sentence for the mentally-ill?

•Note: research can be done in these areas, but empirical research can’t be carried out in the present form.

•Need to specify the criteria for words of ‘value’.

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Turning a non-researchable question into a researchable questionTake the question:

• Is incarceration an appropriate sentence for the mentally-ill?

•Many ways to define “appropriate”…one possible way would be to assume it is defined by a reduced risk of re-offending. In this case:

• Is the risk to re-offend lower for mentally-ill offenders sentenced to incarceration or alternative sentences?

•Know and define your criteria.

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Example: My Investigation Stage

My topic: Public Area CCTV Interventions

Examples of My question: •What effect does public area CCTV have on citizens’ willingness to exercise guardianship?

•Is CCTV a cost-effective alternative to crime prevention and control compared to natural forms of guardianship?

•Does CCTV have a negative effect on citizens fear of crime?

•Does CCTV have a deterrent effect on offenders?

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Your “WHY” Question Why is this question:

» Relevant to CJ?» What does it contribute to our knowledge? (gaps)» Why do criminologists need an answer to this

question?

Why is this question:» Relevant to society as a whole?» What implications does it have (beyond your

academic discipline)?» Why does society need an answer to this question?

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Example: My “WHY”

My choice: Public Area CCTV Interventions• It’s a hot topic in criminology and crime prevention

right now • Widespread international implementation

• Why 1: Academically, there is little consensus about whether it works or under what conditions

• Why 2: Major societal implications in terms of privacy and more importantly natural surveillance mechanisms9 people watching people)

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Central points

1. Question should be expressed in researchable terms.

2. Researchable questions are:

1. specific,

2. limited in scope,

3. related to some empirical reality (i.e., must be some sort of evidence that can be consulted, and

4. should have specific evaluation criteria so that you can tell whether you’ve answered the question.

3. Eventually you will need to consider things like units of analysis, appropriate study design, availability of data, possible threats to validity, hypotheses, etc.

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Your Investigation: Stage 1

What CJS interventions have you found that are of interest?

What research question(s) have you decided on?

• Class Discussion Round

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Next Phase: Literature Review Write short summaries of the literature you

review and include key findings in a summary table» Aims / Research Questions addressed» Methods Used» Key Results» Your analysis of the study

Problems, Gaps, Limitations

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Review of LiteratureAssessment 1: TIPS

Summary Table Example

Author(year)

Intervention/target population( n of cases)

Study design( quality)

Key findings

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What is a literature review? An account of main studies published in

your topic area Will help you define or redefine your

topic and research question(s) Will help you to clarify your research

strategy and design. » What methods have others used to

approach the topic?

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Writing your literature review

Your literature review must do these things: » be organized around and related directly to

the thesis or research question(s) you have been developing

» synthesize results into a summary of what is and is not known

» identify areas of controversy in the literature » formulate questions that need further

research

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Structure of Lit Review: Funnel Shaped

Specific: What will you do & how will it contribute to the body of info that

exists on this topic

Narrow: What has been done

before

Broad: Establish General Area of

Research

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Structure of Lit Review: Funnel Shaped

Start with broad focus on your chosen research area

Why is it relevant?

What research has been done before

(from broadly related to specifically related)

Tie it all into your specific research

question(s)*