Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology


Book Description

Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology connects key concepts to real field research and practices using contemporary examples and recurring case studies throughout the book that demonstrate how concepts relate to students’ lives. Authors Callie M. Rennison and Timothy C. Hart introduce practical research strategies used in criminal justice to show students how a research question can become a policy that changes or influences criminal justice practices. The book’s student-driven approach addresses both the "why" and the "how" as it covers the research process and focuses on the practical application of data collection and analysis. By demonstrating the variety of ways research can be used, and reinforcing the need to discern quality research, the book prepares students to become critical consumers and ethical producers of research. The Second Edition includes two new case studies woven throughout, and new expert profiles to highlight contemporary topics. Editable PowerPoint slides and a test bank are available to instructors.




Statistics for Criminal Justice and Criminology in Practice and Research


Book Description

Statistics for Criminal Justice and Criminology in Practice and Research—by Jack Fitzgerald and Jerry Fitzgerald—is an engaging and comprehensive introduction to the study of basic statistics for students pursuing careers as practitioners or researchers in both Criminal Justice and Criminology programs. This student-friendly text shows how to calculate a variety of descriptive and inferential statistics, recognize which statistics are appropriate for particular data analysis situations, and perform hypothesis tests using inferential statistics. But it is much more than a "cook book." It encourages readers to think critically about the strengths and limitations of the statistics they are calculating, as well as how they may be misapplied and misleading. Examples of statistics and statistical analyses are drawn from the worlds of the practitioner as well as the policymaker and researcher. Students will also gain a clear understanding of major ethical issues in conducting statistical analyses and reporting results, as well as insight into the realities of the life of researchers and practitioners as they use statistics and statistical analyses in their day-to-day activities.




Criminal Justice at the Crossroads


Book Description

Over the past forty years, the criminal justice system in the United States has engaged in a very expensive policy failure, attempting to punish its way to public safety, with dismal results. So-called "tough on crime" policies have not only failed to effectively reduce crime, recidivism, and victimization but also created an incredibly inefficient system that routinely fails the public, taxpayers, crime victims, criminal offenders, their families, and their communities. Strategies that focus on behavior change are much more productive and cost effective for reducing crime than punishment, and in this book, William R. Kelly discusses the policy, process, and funding innovations and priorities that the United States needs to effectively reduce crime, recidivism, victimization, and cost. He recommends proactive, evidence-based interventions to address criminogenic behavior; collaborative decision making from a variety of professions and disciplines; and a focus on innovative alternatives to incarceration, such as problem-solving courts and probation. Students, professionals, and policy makers alike will find in this comprehensive text a bracing discussion of how our criminal justice system became broken and the best strategies by which to fix it.




Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology


Book Description

"With masterful storytelling, Bergland and Hayes demonstrate how Lapham blended his ravenous curiosity with an equable temperament and a passion for detail to create a legacy that is still relevant today." --John Gurda In this long overdue tribute to Wisconsin's first scientist, authors Martha Bergland and Paul G. Hayes explore the remarkable life and achievements of Increase Lapham (1811-1875). Lapham's ability to observe, understand, and meticulously catalog the natural world marked all of his work, from his days as a teenage surveyor on the Erie Canal to his last great contribution as state geologist. Self-taught, Lapham mastered botany, geology, archaeology, limnology, mineralogy, engineering, meteorology, and cartography. A prolific writer, his 1844 guide to the territory was the first book published in Wisconsin. Asked late in life which field of science was his specialty, he replied simply, "I am studying Wisconsin." Lapham identified and preserved thousands of botanical specimens. He surveyed and mapped Wisconsin's effigy mounds. He was a force behind the creation of the National Weather Service, lobbying for a storm warning system to protect Great Lakes sailors. Told in compelling detail through Lapham's letters, journals, books, and articles, Studying Wisconsin chronicles the life and times of Wisconsin's pioneer citizen-scientist.




Statistics in Criminology and Criminal Justice: Analysis and Interpretation


Book Description

Thoroughly updated and revised, the Third Edition of Statistics in Criminology and Criminal Justice: Analysis and Interpretation provides criminal justice students with a firm knowledge base in the theory and application of statistical analyses. Students will be introduced to methods of identifying and classifying data, followed by explanations and demonstrations of statistical procedures. They will learn what statistical techniques are appropriate for particular data, why procedures give the results they do, and how to interpret the output of statistical analyses.




Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology


Book Description

Even more student-friendly and featuring new examples, topics, and references throughout, the Fifth Edition of Michael G. Maxfield and Earl Babbie's RESEARCH METHODS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CRIMINOLOGY effectively engages your students in applying the specific research methods used in criminal justice. Combining the accessibility and conversational tone of Babbie's bestseller, THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL RESEARCH, with Maxfield's expertise in criminology and criminal justice, the new edition of this market-leader includes enhanced coverage of ethics, causation, validity, and research design, as well as new and expanded examples, especially in the discussion of field research. A new running case study on racial profiling that progresses and builds from chapter to chapter-further demonstrates the important role of research methods in our evolving understanding of crime and society.




Statistics for Criminology and Criminal Justice


Book Description

"...It is a great textbook for undergrads who are being exposed to statistics in the field for the first time and for Master’s students who need a better grasp of the fundamentals of statistics before taking more advanced courses..." —Calli M. Cain, University of Nebraska at Omaha "A must-have textbook for Instructors and students alike in the fields of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The book is user-friendly." —Bonny Mhlanga, Western Illinois University An Introduction to Statistics in Criminology and Criminal Justice Statistics for Criminology and Criminal Justice, Third Edition demonstrates how statistics is relevant to a student’s life and future career by illustrating the logical connections between basic statistical concepts and their real-world implications in criminology and criminal justice. Written for students with a limited mathematical background, author Jacinta Gau eases student anxiety around statistics by simplifying the overarching goal of each statistical technique and providing step-by-step instructions for working through the formulas and numbers. Students use real data from the field to build a foundational knowledge of statistics, rather than merely memorizing key terms or formulas. New to the Third Edition NEW Thinking Critically feature encourages students to apply the concepts from the chapter to real-life scenarios, with open-ended questions that are designed to inspire students to think about the nuances of science, statistics, and their application to criminal justice. Additional illustrations and examples in every chapter keep students engaged with the content and offer ample opportunities for them to practice the techniques. New and updated data sets from a wide range of relevant sources, such as the NCVS and UCR, BJS, LEMAS, the Census of Jails, and much more have been incorporated to give students insights into the state of criminal justice research today. New research on critical topics encourages students to discuss changes happening in the field such as the Census of Jails, inmate-on-staff assaults in prisons, and homicide rates. Practicing Statistics Whiteboard Videos, available in SAGE edge, walk students through statistical calculations to reinforce key concepts. Previous edition errors have been corrected by a statistician. Give your students the SAGE edge! SAGE edge offers a robust online environment featuring an impressive array of free tools and resources for review, study, and further exploration, keeping both instructors and students on the cutting edge of teaching and learning.




Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology


Book Description

Preface x -- Introduction to criminal justice research methods : theory and method -- Ethics in criminal justice research -- Research design : the experimental model and its variations -- The uniform crime reports and sampling -- Survey research : questionnaires -- Survey research : interviews and telephone surveys -- Participant observation and case studies -- Unobtrusive measures, secondary analysis, and the uses of official statistics -- Validity, reliability, and triangulated strategies -- Scaling and index construction -- Policy analysis and evaluation research -- Data analysis : a user's guide to statistics -- Glossary -- References -- Name index -- Subject index.




Research Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice


Book Description

Ideal for undergraduate or graduate-level courses, Research Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice, Fourth Edition introduces students to the functions of criminal justice research including basic ideas behind scientific theory, research language, and research design.




Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology With Infotrac


Book Description

Based on Earl Babbie's best-selling text, THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL RESEARCH, this text combines the key strengths of Babbie's text (accessibility; a conversational, "friendly" writing style; and great examples) with Michael G. Maxfield's expertise in criminology and criminal justice for a text that addresses the specific methods used in criminal justice research. The new edition of this market-leader includes changes in its coverage of ethics, causation, validity, and research design, as well as updated coverage and statistics, and expanded examples, especially in the discussion of field research. A running case study on the dropping crime rate in New York Citya study to which co-author Maxfield has close linksfurther demonstrates the important role of research methods in our evolving understanding of crime and society.