SCS 285 5-2 Milestone Three
Crafting Questions:
1. Qualitative Research Question
How do police officers and court officials describe their experiences with algorithm-based crime
prediction tools in shaping their decision-making and perceptions of fairness within the justice
system?
2. Quantitative Research Question
To what extent do police departments using body-worn cameras show measurable reductions in
citizen complaints and use-of-force incidents compared to departments without such technology?
3. Mixed-Methodology Research Question
How do law enforcement officers’ attitudes toward predictive policing algorithms relate to actual
patterns in arrest or crime rates, and how do these officers explain any differences between
perception and outcome?
Examination of Questions
Best Fit for the Research Problem
The mixed-methodology research question best captures my research problem, which focuses on
how technology influences law enforcement decisions and outcomes. It combines both
measurable data and human perspectives, allowing for a deeper understanding of not just what
happens, but also why it happens. This balance between data and interpretation provides a richer
view of technology’s real-world implications.
Representation of My Field
The quantitative question most closely represents the types of research typically seen in criminal
justice studies, where researchers often measure cause-and-effect relationships such as policy
impacts or behavioral outcomes. However, qualitative research in this field is growing, especially
as technology introduces ethical and experiential dimensions that numbers alone can’t explain.
Reflection on Creating Questions
When developing these questions, I realized how much the research purpose shapes the design.
The qualitative question required focusing on experience and meaning, while the quantitative
one focused on measurement and correlation. The mixed-method question was the most complex
but also the most realistic for a social science study because it addresses both the “how much”
and the “why.” I was surprised by how the wording alone determines whether a study aims to
explain behaviors or explore perspectives.
References
Brayne, S., & Christin, A. (2020). Technologies of crime prediction: The reception of algorithms
in policing and criminal courts. Social Problems, 68(3), 608–624
https://doi.org/10.1093/socpro/spaa004
Yokum, D., Ravishankar, A., & Coppock, A. (2019). A randomized control trial evaluating the
effects of police body-worn cameras. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(21),
10329–10332. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1814773116
