What are the various types of data-gathering strategies discussed in this chapter? Describe them. Is any one technique "better" than another? Why? Under what kinds of conditions might certain types of data-gathering strategies be most appropriate?
What will be an ideal response?
There are five main types of data-gather strategies used in criminology:
• Survey research involves using questionnaires to gather information, known as "survey data"
• Case studies involve in-depth investigations into individual cases; they are very subjective but provide the opportunity to investigate individual cases
• Participant observation involves a variety of strategies in which the researcher observes a group by participating to varying degrees in the group's activities
o In the participant as observer type, researchers make their presence known to the group they are observing but do not attempt to influence the group's activities
o In the observer as complete participant type, researchers participate in the group's activities, thus potentially influencing the group's direction
• Self-reporting involves asking subjects to record and report rates of some type of behavior, perhaps by maintaining a diary or personal journal that provides ongoing observations of the subject's own behavior
• Secondary analysis obtains preexisting information from data that have already been gathered and examines the data in new ways
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List and describe the seven steps involved in the decision making process
What will be an ideal response?
Beginning in 1991, crime began to ________
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
Search and seizure is governed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Common law has held that anyone witnessing certain crimes may make a(n) _______ and then turn that individual over to authorities
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word