Research Methods & Statistics for Criminal Justice

Please note that you are required to support your views by citing your sources in all assignments. Even if the question asks for your opinion, you are still expected to support your opinion with references to published works and other materials. APA Format is necessary for your assignments when citing references, and assistance on how to do so is available using the APA Citation Center.

• Choose Library from the top navigation bar.
• Choose APA Citation Center from the left navigation bar.
• Click Example Sources.
• Scroll down and click APA Documentation.

For more information on citing your sources, please click on "About this 
Course" link in the classroom. Please note that you are required to support your views by citing your sources in all assignments. Even if the question asks for your opinion, you are still expected to support your opinion with references to published works and other materials. APA Format is necessary for your assignments when citing references, and assistance on how to do so is available using the APA Citation Center.

• Choose Library from the top navigation bar.
• Choose APA Citation Center from the left navigation bar.
• Click Example Sources.
• Scroll down and click APA Documentation

For more information on citing your sources, please click on "About this Course" link in the classroom.

Theory defines, assumes, proposes, explains, and predicts what the research outcome is likely to prove (right or wrong). It is an integrated body of propositions, assumptions, and definitions that are related in explaining and predicting relationships between two or more variables. Theory could be any of the following:

• deductive
• inductive
• grounded
• axiomatic

On the other hand, hypotheses are statements or assertions derived from theory that can be tested by scientific inquiry and that are capable of being refuted, and their tests may result in support or nonsupport for the theory from which they were derived. 

Prepare a 5–7-page paper that address the following questions:

• What are the key differences between the 4 identified types of research theories above?
• Is any one type of theory more valid than the others? Why or why not?
• What are the differences and similarities (if any) between theory and hypothesis?
• What are variables, and why are they important components of theoretical schemes?

Please submit your assignment.