research methods finished

7/31/2019 Research Methods Finished

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Assessment Objective Two

Aims and ObjectivesAnalyse a range of different research methods

How will the assessment take place?

Completion of six worksheets. One for each of the following methods ofresearch:

1. Experiments2. Surveys3. Case Studies4. Observations- (participant / non participant)5. Questionnaires using rating systems e.g. Likert scale6. Interviews- Formal and informal

For each method of research you will comment on:o Overview of the method

o Advantages and disadvantages

o Examples of when it can be used in public services

o Provide evidence of its use.

GradingPassCandidates identify different types of research methods and provide asimple analysis of each. They demonstrate a limited understandingof the relevant methodology, its key concepts and its usage.

MeritCandidates identify different types of research methods and provide a clearanalysis of each. They demonstrate a good understanding of the relevantmethodology, its key concepts and its usage.

DistinctionCandidates identify different types of research methods and provide adetailed analysis of each. They demonstrate an excellent understanding of therelevant methodology, its key concepts and its usage


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ExampleOverview:

Find a definition and reference its source (Wikipedia not accepted).

Give a general description of the research method.What are the key principles of the method?How would you go about doing this method?How is the data presented?

Advantages:

Why might this method be used?What type of data is it good at analysing?How easy is it to collect the data?

Disadvantages:

What are its limitations?When would it not be good to use?

Usage:

When in the public services would it be good to use this method and why?

Example of use:

Find an example of when it has been used.Describe how the method was used.Justify why that particular method was used.


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ExperimentsOverview:

Definition:A test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a

known truth, examine the validity of a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy ofsomething previously untried.

A scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, ordemonstrate a known fact.

Source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/experiment

Advantages:

The advantages on experiments is crimes, if there are any DNA such as hair,blood, finger prints and fibre around the crime that take place than they could

find out who it is without any reason it shouldnt be that one who has thematch DNA examples.There are 30 or more range of evidence for use in experience, so if there wasa crime, they have a lot of range of method of use in order to find the personwho did it, and if someone seen the person who is in the crime sense area,they might not be sure if is the person who they know or who you know howhe/she look like

Disadvantages:

If the experiments is base on DNA they could fine random DNA examplebecause on the area that crime take place they could find other DNA that wasthere days ago maybe weeks, if they match the DNA and finds out that theperson was there weeks ago and it was the wrong person it could waste theretime and others, so dont always rely DNA experiments.Not every one can do experience one DNA it needs years of training, and theequipment cost a lot of money.

Usage:

When a crime scene happen on that same day, if they find any fresh blood orhair examples, they should straight away doing the experiments because,

they need to find the person who did it before the person could admit crimeagain, and if they make any mistake on picking up the wrong DNA examplesthey could get it out of the way and done with.

Example of use:

How Lancashire Police and leading forensic experts managed to identifyRobert Morley as the killer of nine year-old Imraan Vohra

In 2001, the case was re-opened under a Cold Case Review. DNA technologyhad come a long way since the 80s, and there was hope that a match couldnow be identified. The Forensic Science Service (FSS) were called in to

extract traces of DNA from crime scene samples obtained in 1985. Scientistspainstakingly pieced together specimens and collated the existing evidence.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/experimenthttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/experiment


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Finally, in 2006, a DNA profile of Imraans killer was compiled. By 2008,advances in DNA genetic work meant that the database could be searched foroffenders who were likely to have a familial link.

One man appeared at the top of the list. He was revealed to be a closerelative of the offender and in 2009 Robert Morley was identified as Imraanskiller. He had died of lung cancer 12 years earlier. DNA from a lung biopsy,taken at the time of Morleys treatment, was compared to the DNA from the1985 murder scene.In order to satisfy themselves that the correct man had been identified, policethen began piecing together Morleys past. It was soon discovered that Morleyhad been convicted of indecent exposure at the age of 14 and his life wasfraught with aggression and abuse. A heavy drinker, he had moved aroundthe country with known links in London, Lancashire, Hertfordshire and WestSussex. Father to a number of children, Morley had a string of relationships,

most of which were violent.

During the enquiry it became increasingly apparent that there was a strongpossibility that Morley may have committed other crimes against women andchildren. Today, police appeal for those victims to come forward..http://www.bbc.co.uk/crimewatch/solved/howtheycaught/htc_robertmorley.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crimewatch/solved/howtheycaught/htc_robertmorley.shtmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/crimewatch/solved/howtheycaught/htc_robertmorley.shtmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/crimewatch/solved/howtheycaught/htc_robertmorley.shtmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/crimewatch/solved/howtheycaught/htc_robertmorley.shtml


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Surveys

Overview:

Definition: a sampling, or partial collection, of facts, figures, or opinions takenand used to approximate or indicate what a complete collection and analysismight reveal: (The survey showed the percentage of the population that

planned to vote.)Source:http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/survey

Advantages:

Surveys are relatively inexpensive (especially self-administered surveys).Useful in describing the characteristics of a large population.They can be controlled from remote locations using mail, email or telephone.Many questions can be asked about a given topic giving flexibility.Few people are required for the survey work so experts can be appointed forthe survey. This will increase the reliability of the survey results.Sample survey means that similar data can be collected from groups theninterpreted comparatively

Disadvantages:

May occur after the crime event, so participants may forget important issues.Standardised so it is not possible to explain any points in the questions that

contributors might misinterpret.Open-ended questions can generate large amounts of data that can take along time to process and analyse.Respondents may answer quickly especially if the questionnaire takes a longtime to complete.

Usage:

Surveys can be used within public services to carry out an investigation on aparticular type of crime, or crime within a particular social area or group. Byasking individuals within the different groups of crime they have witnessed,

researchers are able to spot trends and patterns of crime, meaning that in thefuture they can use these conclusions to possible put a force of action in orderto prevent these trends from happening. It is also a way to back up policestandards as some individuals often find it hard to report a crime although,confidential in front of the police; a survey would provide a quicker and moreanonymous way to report a crime.

Example of use:

The British Crime Survey or BCS is an organised victim study, currentlycarried out by BMRB Limited on behalf of the Home Office. The BCS aims tomeasure the amount ofcrime in England and Wales by asking around 50,000
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victim_studyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMRB_Ltdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Officehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victim_studyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMRB_Ltdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Officehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime


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people aged 16 and over (as of January 2009), living in private households,about the crimes they have experienced in the last year. From January 2009,4,000 interviews were also conducted each year with children 1015 yearsold, although the resulting statistics remain experimental, overall, thesesurveys aim to provide a better reflection of the true level of crime than police

statistics since it includes crimes that have not been reported to, or recordedby, the police.Statistics: In 2003/04 the number of robbery offences in England and Wales,for people aged 16 and over was around 283,000.In 2004/05 the number ofrobbery offences in England and Wales, for people aged 16 and over wasaround 255,000.The BCS does not measure robbery offences among victimsunder 16 years.


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Case StudiesOverview:

Definition:A case study is an intensive analysis of an individual unit for a

person, group, or event.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_study

Advantages:

A lot of information can be collected, by collecting data from a range ofmethods and sources in order to gain a final conclusion. It can for examplebegin with an observation, and then be backed up with facts collected throughother methods such as surveys or interviews.Include prime/secondary:Gives an insight into an event, by giving the facts collected and gives you the

whole story rather than just a few facts.Can be informative and descriptive, by showing a cause for a premise.

Disadvantages:

Very time consuming and may take a long time to complete therefore.Due to the fact it uses a range of sources from different places means that it isoften hard to know whether the sources used are in fact reliable and can beused as a solid source for the study.Can often contradict the purpose of analysing an event or person, due to thefact that the person conducting the research for the case study may get tooinvolved and begin to incorporate their own interpretations based on theiropinions, which therefore, eliminates again the reliability of the case study.

Usage:One usage can be within the police force, whereby they can conduct a casestudy surrounding crime and punishment, and events surrounding that area.This can be related to incidents also that may have occurred, that the policehave had to investigate and use a case study to present and give an insighton what happenedCan also be used for the armed forces, by presenting a case study onstatistics or information involved with the operations of the army. This mayinclude information on their upcoming or recent missions, that will inform thereader of what may happen or what could happen, during these activities.


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Example of use:

There are many case studies that research youth crime within the uk. Oneinvestigated why the uk treat their youth offenders the way they do:

Over three thousand children are currently behind bars in England and Wales.

In France there are 530, in Italy 450 and in Sweden just six. So why do the

English deal so punitively with children who find themselves in trouble with the

law?

Theres no correlation between crime rates and the numbers in custody, says

OU Professor of Criminology John Muncie. Crime rates have fallen

dramatically but the number of children going through the justice system

keeps growing. And the reoffending rate of those who are sent to the juvenile

secure estate is around 80 per cent within two years of release. Whatever the

system is trying to do, it is clearly failing.

Did you know that England and Wales is the only jurisdiction in Western

Europe that routinely locks up 12-year-olds in secure training centres? Did

you know that it has one of the lowest ages of criminal responsibility?

Restoration and social inclusion simply cant happen to the extent required

when so much of the budget goes on locking up so many children.

Youth justice needs to be rethought as a means to support and protect

children, not criminalize and punish them.

http://www.open.ac.uk/socialsciences/about-the-faculty/case-studies/youth-

crime.php


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ObservationsOverview:

Definition: The action or process of observing something or someone carefully

or in order to gain information.Source:http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=observation&tbs=dfn:1&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=gmneTpuBO4mfOrqE-KwJ&ved=0CC8QkQ4&biw=1311&bih=625

Advantages:

A general observation can give you a clear overview of an event or action.Can make you aware of other events linked or interrelated with the event that

is being observed, by collecting the information and spotting trends andpatterns, which you may not always be able to recognise yourself.Observations are reliable because the individual is actually at the scene of theevent witnessing it for themselves, not just collecting information from randomselections that could be false and made up.Researcher can understand social pressures and influences relating to thecrime.

Disadvantages:

The person or researcher who is conducting the research may make a falsejudgement of what they are witnessing, meaning the evidence they are puttingforward, may not be correct. The fact it is an individual themselves going outto observe an event or incident means that it can often be thought of as beingbias, this is because the person observing may only go to areas where theythink that they will collect positive results, which would back up their premise,meaning they are only going to find out what they believe to be correct.May require backup if an incident regarding the observation happens, causingthe operation to become dangerous.

Background information may be missing.If you are observing a group of people, it may take time and money to conductthe research; this is because it may take a while to build up trust between youand the participants.May not be good to observe social behaviour as they may react to eventsdifferently than they normally would.

Usage:

Policemen may use observation as research when investigating a crime,during interviews, crime on the street or through activities a criminal may be


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involved in that are being closely observed.The armed forces may use observations to spot trends within the actions ofthemselves and actions of the enemy, meaning they can use it to betterthemselves in the way that they conduct their actions.Fire fighters will use observation within their practice as they always have to

be aware of their surroundings in order to be a good fire fighter.

Example of use:

Can be used for crime, when police officers are investigating patternssurrounding crime, maybe to do with why people commit crime and theyrebehaviour and background, which will be involved within the conclusions. Forexample,

James Patrick ,In the late 1950s was a young sociologist who obtained entryinto a Maryhill area Glaswegian gang for four months, to observe theirbehaviour and crime committed, he joined in twelve times. It then became toomuch for him. However, he found that his findings relate to social conditionsthat lead to such a gang forming and becoming so intense in their behaviour,and that a core activity of the group was to put themselves into conflictsituations where they may well have to fight but where actual fighting often didnot happen. The Glasgow gang was found to be equivalent in behaviour and

custom to the experience of gangs in the United States.This shows how observation was used to conduct research on patterns ofbehaviour surrounding criminals.

http://www.change.freeuk.com/learning/socthink/glasgowgang.html


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QuestionnairesOverview:

Definition:A questionnaire It is a list of questions designed to collect specific

information. It is used for research work by scientists, businesses, and politicalparties, among others.

A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questionsand other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents.Although they are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, thisis not always the case

Source:http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_questionnaire

Advantages:

You can ask any question you want.You can ask any type of question.You can get fact and opinion on a certain question that you wanted to know,this is a good use of advantages for you because they give the answer, youcan analysis that answer and make it as an advantage.

Disadvantages:

You have to be careful on what you ask because for some people thosequestions you asked might be in appropriate or may even be too personal.If you can not get those answer on the question that you asked it will be a bigdisadvantages because you wont get anything out of it.

Usage:

Written questionnaires systematically gather information about a particularsubject from a population of people. This module provides a strategy fordetermining whether a written questionnaire is an appropriate means ofgathering data to meet the evaluation's goals.

Example of use:

If you are designing an alarm system, you need to know what type of alarmspeople want to buy. You could carry out a survey based on the following

question and store the results as a table:I asked 100 people, which type of alarm they were in most need of? Bicycle,brief case, door, personal, car, anti pick pocket or window. The results are firstpresented as a table of results and then as a graphical pictogram.


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InterviewsOverview:

Definition: A conversation, such as one conducted by a reporter, in which facts or statements

are elicited from another.

Source:http://www.thefreedictionary.com/interview

Advantages:

Good way to collect information about the complex, emotionally loadedsubjects.1v1 interrogation: They are more personal than a questionnaire, so the

interviewer can directly work with the respondent, being able to workalongside them in order to ask and probe for any further questions that maycome into good use.The interviewer can ask specific questions to probe the respondent.There arent usually any pre judgements; therefore, the respondent is free toexpress their own opinions.Factual:There can be a range of information collected, which can then be validatedelsewhere with several other interviews.

Disadvantages:Not always accurate, the interviewer may collect the wrong information,missing points and important facts out. They may also miss the purpose of theinterview, meaning the information collected may not be relevant.Some may not answer the question: some respondents may go on a tangent,steering away from the main purpose of the question, therefore, limiting theinformation collected as it may not be relevant. Also, some people may justrefuse to answer a certain question as interviews are personal and onlydepend on the answers of the respondent.Some questions may be private. Therefore, the information collected may notbe able to be shared, meaning that you cant make conclusions from whatwas collected and also, if they are too private, the respondent may not evenwant to answer that question.Interviews can be very time consuming.

Usage:

Can be used within public services to analyse different factors of crime.

Interviews are important for criminology and criminal justice because they givea depth of understanding from the point of view of the person being


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interviewed.

Example of use:After a crime, there will be interviews for most of all of the people who wereinvolved in the event. This would be carried out by a detective who leads thecase and sometimes other officials from the police force. They will ask leadingquestions which will probe the respondent to answer from their point of view,on the events of the crime. The interview will be tailored to each respondentas some will be treated differently sue to them being treated as a witness,victim or suspect. The information collected will then be put together to spotany trends and patterns within what each respondent had to say, so that theycan have a clearer picture of the event in order to make any further actions,such as any possible further interviews.

research methods finished

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