Survey of Research Methods in Criminal Justice II

CRJ

70300

Survey of Research Methods in Criminal Justice II

This two course sequence is an introduction to the methodology of social sciences. In the second course our [Its] main purpose is to continue to survey the major research designs and research techniques that are at the core of contemporary approaches used to study social phenomena. [We will begin with the question of why and how we do social research. Then] We will continue to study the issues of research design and the systematic nature of data collection that leads to data that can be trusted. [The research strategies used by criminologists are extraordinarily diverse which is fitting given the extraordinary diversity of the research questions criminologists pursue and the course will also attempt to provide some appreciation of this diversity.] We will continue to explore several research designs and methods, [including survey research, experiments, historical analysis, participant observation, in-depth interviews, focus group studies]. In addition, we [will] continue to address topics germane to the research enterprise including: ethical considerations in research, and how to conduct mixed-methods research, write research proposals and publish research findings.Importantly: This course is most emphatically not intended as a substitute for the more specialized methodological training that successful dissertations demand. However, to be a discerning scholar implies being able to learn from work that you have not done and would not yourself do, to recognize quality answers to substantive questions outside of your own niche of specialization, and to discuss intelligently the implications of new discoveries for the field as a whole. Therefore the focus of this course is on developing your insights into the implications of methodological choices, your constructively critical thinking about diverse methodologies, and your confidence in your ability to discuss, evaluate and learn from work of many types. This course cannot and will not try to "teach you all you need to know" about methods, but aims instead to increase your ability to continually practice (and so develop) informed judgment about methodology.Learning objectives: The objective of this course is to achieve the following inter-related goals:· Learn how to ask criminological research questions that can be answered· Design and write a research proposal· Identify a variety of criminological methods and determine which methods might best answer certain research questions.Discuss the epistemological issues of social science research to formulate rigorous critiques of research practice.¿ Identify, critically analyze and evaluate published sources of research to assess their merit as well as their implications for criminal justice practice.AssessmentStudents will be assessed through written assignments, examinations and their performance on the Qualifying exam on research methods and statistics (part of the First Examination).

Offer as needed

Graduate School Graduate

No

030867