Book Description

“The clean, simple organization of the content coupled with excellent use of resources (e.g. SPSS exercises; the journal article matrix) makes this one of the best textbooks in this area.” —Cedrick G. Heraux, Adrian College This text simplifies complex concepts with relatable examples to give a comprehensive, yet straight-forward introduction to research design in the criminology and criminal justice field, focusing on the major branches of the criminal justice system. Integrating policy and policy implications for research methods, it gives inclusive coverage of experimental and survey methods, qualitative techniques, mapping, historical evaluation, and secondary analysis approaches. Extensive use of thoughtful tables and figures in every chapter facilitate student’s understanding of concepts discussed. This is a briefer version of Bachman and Schutt’s successful The Practice of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice, written in a less formal style with more concise examples drawn from every day experience, and less coverage of more rigorous material. The new third edition includes increased coverage of mixed methods, crime mapping, evidence-based and web-based research, along with updated case studies. This is an excellent introductory methods text for undergraduate research courses, and is ideal for students who need to understand how criminal justice research is done and appreciate the results, but whose career path does not require them to do research themselves.