9 Responses

A good response to others is not something like "I agree." Please find something that you can analyze, add to, critique, explain, disagree with, or something. It should be a few cogent sentences. It should contain something that shows your knowledge of the subject, as well as additional materials you might bring from the web and elsewhere.

Apply theories or materials correctly. Apply relevant professional, personal, or other real-world experiences. Supports position with applicable knowledge

You should create substantial responses to your peers. Think of this as your opportunity to teach. Create substantial responses which expand on a point and present information on the topic. Your responses should demonstrate your critical thinking on the topic.

Respond to the following discussions (9X). Write how you would respond to their discussions with approximately 100 words or more each. Be thoughtful and insightful and it must demonstrate critical thinking and analysis.

In the text, you read about three unobtrusive research methods; content analysis, analyzing existing statistics and comparative and historical research.  Could any of these methods be applied to your research proposal?  Based upon your research question/hypothesis, what do you think might be the most appropriate method(s) of conducting unobtrusive research if you were to choose one, and why?  What benefits would this bring to your research?  What would be the drawbacks of utilizing unobtrusive research methods in your project?

1. We will first take a look upon the unobtrusive research method that contains three focus areas of content analysis, analyzing existing statistics, and comparative and historical research. Discussing  the takeaway in which method seems to be the best overall. Concluding of what we discover could the research found be implemented into my research proposal and have effective results.  

Unobtrusive research method is “studying of social behavior without affecting it” as said by Babbie (Babbie, 2017, pg. 332).  Using this type of research method makes the observer exempt from any danger that could occur in normal research methods. One of the texts best ways of describing this method is referencing Durkheim’s analysis of suicides. His research had no affect or reaction on suicides occurring one way or the other as explained by Babbie (Babbie, 2017).  

Content analysis studies the recorded human communications. In type of communication it can be through books, websites, paintings, and laws, etc. There are an abundant amount of different recorded communication resources that can be analyzed. One of the best ways that content analysis can be used is answering the classic questions of “who says what, to whom, why, how, and with what effect” (Babbie, 2017, pg. 333).  

Analyzing existing statistics takes already obtained data which then you would provide your own statistical analysis of that information (Babbie, 2017). This method of research is taking what’s already been tested and putting your own view of what is found in easier worlds. Funny enough existing statistics provide most of the main data when it comes to social science inquiry.

Comparative and historical research is much different from the over two methods even though it overlaps the same basis with field research, content analysis, and the analysis of existing statistics. This research method is “the examination of societies (or other social units) over time and in comparison with one another” (Babbie, 2017 pg. 350).

If I was to choose one to use for my research I would choose analyzing existing statistics. I believe with the topic in which my research proposal is being focused on that using previous obtained data it could concur with my thesis or hypothesis. Rather than using all knew information and case studies looking on past data collected would have proof that this has been a concern for some time now in officers facing mental health concerns from on the job related stressors

2. According to (Babbie, 2017), unobstructed research are methods of studying social science without affecting it. Out of the three unobtrusive research methods presented in chapter 11 of our text book, the “analyzing existing statistics” approach seems like the most appropriate for my study. This approach allows researchers to use existing statistics or secondary data to conduct research. The key advantage of this method is that it allows for a much cheaper and faster way to acquire the necessary data for a study.              

There are a couple key problems with this approach. However, the biggest problem seems to be the reoccurring question of validity. When one researcher collects data for one particular purpose, you have no assurance that the data will be appropriate for your own research interests (Babbie, 2017). Additionally, as a researcher observing secondary data, one is limited to what already exists.

The reliability of the statistical data may also compromise the integrity of the study. There is no way to verify secondary data. If the data collected is inaccurate, the researcher may be misled.

There are numerous resources that are available for identifying and acquiring existing statistical data. In my particular study, I could utilize information that has been published about crime statistics. Today, crime statistics come from two major sources: Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR/NIBRS) and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) (Schmalleger 2014). After looking into each database, I learned that each study is conducted for different purposes and focuses on somewhat different aspects of crime. The UCR/NIBRS and NCVS log criminal behavior in their own unique ways as well. For example, while the UCR/NIBRS statistical program records each criminal incident as a single crime within their reports, the NCVS dissects each criminal incident and records each crime within the incident separately. Understanding variables like these will allow the researcher to either handle or put into perspective problems of validity and/or reliability that may exist within the secondary data that has been collected

3. After looking at the three unobtrusive research methods, I actually looked at two different methods that could pertain to my research proposal. The two were analyzing existing statistics and the comparative and historical research which can be helpful when speaking on peers and crimes. For the analyzing existing statistics, I can be able to create the existing statistics through the surveys created to see the different ways why people conduct criminal behaviors when they are or aren’t around their peers. Juveniles being in different environments and belonging to different class levels can be compared and put into stats as well.

 Statistics that are analyzed are usually stemming from a good number of people in a group and not just an individual or two. The disadvantages of analyzing existing statistics is that validity can be questioned or the data can be seen as limited. This is accurate especially if the statistics aren’t supported or linked by data in the past but if you were to apply logical reasoning to it than it can lessen or get rid of the validity issues. I think that goes along with comparative and historical research which is taking the data from previous studies in societies over time. Their validity is backed up by things such as government documents and files that can be verified. Facts are always important to support the statistics and if you can compare from two different time periods, then it can become more believable.

4. As I read the comparisons of all three comparisons on this chapter I feel comfortable using historical research as my main method of unobtrusive methods. The historical research is most prevalent in my research because of the different societal stages that my research topic spans. My research deals with the different stages of what leads to police corruption and the best way to look into the background of prior police issues in prior decades to properly study corruption in earlier times. From the research I gathered major police departments in metropolitan cities like New York and Chicago had rampant cases of corruption during the early years of each department. No time was more corrupt than the prohibition era of policing where police where often bought for their corporation from alcohol bootleggers. I also would use the method to discuss when Internal Affairs for Police Departments were introduced to police departments to handle cases of police officers engaging in corruption. I would also review the public perception of police corruption during the 1940s to present time, from what I have gathered in decades past the public accepted some form of police corruption that slight to major corruption was the norm, to the present day where police are more watched than ever and the public has no tolerance concerning any form police corruption or brutality.  The text best summarizes historical research as “a great many later social scientist have also turned their attention to broad historical process, several examined the historical progression of social forms from the simple to the complex “(Babbie, 2017).  I can think of any major drawbacks to using this method, I feel referring to historical data and stories of the past concerning my research will bring light to how police and societal views concerning corruption has changed.

5. It looks like you go this all under control.  I can see how information privacy would be a real damper on the collection of data on mentally ill people.  Is your data pool going to include different countries? Will it span different cultures? Or will that just be a variable you try to weed out?  I'd be interested to see what other cultures define "mental Illness" as and how it would relate to their definition of crime

Evaluation research, because it occurs within real life, has special problems.  If evaluation research was to be applied to your research topic, what might be some of the problems that could arise?

6. As described by Babbie, evaluation research differs from other types of investigation, as such research does not pertain to the methodology employed but is based upon the purpose of the study (2016, p. 363). Furthermore, such type research is intended to assess the impact of an intentional intervention (ibid).

As previously noted in prior discussions, the purpose of my research is to determine whether the common claim that U.S. legislative policies aimed at ‘getting tougher’ on crime have led to an exponential growth in the rate of women’s incarceration. Since my research is intended to determine and/or validate whether existing judicial and law enforcement policies have or have not caused a claimed effect, as opposed to evaluating the impact of a new intervention (Babbie, 2016, p. 363), then, evaluative research would not necessarily apply to the purpose of my project. Thus, the problem in applying evaluative research to the purpose of this project would be that, although such research could be used to develop associated findings, it would not serve to develop findings specific to the stated objective of this study. Yet, if the purpose of my research was to determine the impact of an innovative policy (ibid) aimed at reducing female incarceration, then, evaluative research would be appropriate for my investigation. Nevertheless, evaluative research could also be used to assess the success or failure (Babbie, 2016, p. 370) of ‘get tough’ on crime policies, relative to the commission of crimes by women—since the implementation of such policies—and as determined by the incarceration rate of women since such policies went into effect. However, such evaluation could become a follow-up study to the claim-validation project currently in-process, which is not designed to assess the successes or failures of such noted policies

7. Evaluation research is extremely precise in the idea that the measurements of an evaluation research design need to be followed exactly. Evaluation research incorporates careful thinking of the problem, and without thorough inspection of the design, many negative consequences can occur. Evaluation research is not looked highly upon due to the many steps needed to follow evaluation research correctly, and not have any negative consequences.

If evaluation research was to be applied to my research topic, I feel that one major problem could arise. Due to evaluation research involving, "...relevant measurements and criteria of success or failure...is essential in evaluation research" (Babbie, pg 388.) I believe that my topic, being capital punishment, may be hard to follow an evaluation research design exactly. With capital punishment, I don't believe that I could accurately decide what would be considered a success or a failure in my topic. I'm asking people's opinions on a stance, but I don't think there can be a success or a failure involving people's opinions.

8.      Evaluation research is a form of applied research. This means it is intended to have some sort of real word effect (Babbie 2017, pg 363) Applied research has been goin on since research itself. In recent history the emphasis for evaluation research has gained momentum and has become much more popular. While it is possible for evaluation research to effect real life, sometimes that is not the case. It may become more ideological than scientific depending on the area of study.

 Evaluation research is appropriate when some form of social intervention occur or is planned (Babbie 2017, pg 364). With this in mind, my research will be more set up in a sense to understand the publics idea of and opinion on victimless crime. For this reason it is not the ideal candidate for evaluation research. I do not intend to use the research to change the views of the public or to institute change but rather gauge general perceptions on the topic.

    Much of evaluation research is referred to as program evaluation or outcome assessment (Babbie 2017, pg 364). Again this does not align with the purpose of my research. There will not be any way to measure a change associated with the research therefore it is not utilized. the key variable for evaluation research is the outcome or response variable. If a social program is intended to accomplish something it needs a way to be measured (Babbie,2017 pg 365). Some issues that arise will be perception. You must be able to provide a clear and concise set of definitions to be used in the research which will need to be agreed upon by all involved.  Luckily for me, I am working on tis alone as is the rest of us so this should not be a factor but it is important to realize in future courses and research areas.

 A More appropriate example that would benefit from evaluation research is provided in the text, " suppose for example that you are conducting an evaluation of a program aimed at training unskilled people for employment. The primary outcome measure would be their success at gaining employment " (Babbie, 2017 pg 367).

9.   Evaluation research, is a process of determining whether a social intervention has produced the intended result. Although evaluation research is modeled after the experiment, which suggests that the researchers have control over what happens, it takes place within frequently uncontrollable daily life.

Evaluation research has a special propensity for running into problems. These problems can be associated with getting subjects to do what they are supposed to do and even getting research instruments distributed and returned. There are also ethical situations, ethics and evaluation are intertwined in many ways. Sometimes the social interventions being evaluated raise ethical issues or they may involve political, ideological and ethical issues about the topic itself. The evaluation results sometimes contradict deeply held beliefs and researchers cannot always extrapolate results from an experimental setting compared to a natural setting.

A problem with the research for legalizing marijuana could be a lack of control that can create real dilemmas for the results. Some results may have been altered or is done in a biased environment. The implications may not always be presented in a way that the non-researchers can understand.