CRJS430 IP1

CRJS430 - IP1

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Class

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CRJS430 - IP1

Captain Smith,

When researching the different theories to use in approaching research I have discovered there are four different types that could be implemented. The deductive, inductive, grounded, and axiomatic theories are all possible methods for researching crime prevention strategies. A theory is an integrated body of propositions, assumptions, and definitions that are related in explaining and predicting relationships between two or more variables. Choosing the best theory in approaching research is important to developing appropriate strategies. These theories will help to determine the most appropriate approach to researching these new prevention strategies and finding successful solutions to the growing crime problem in the community.

In determining which approach to research would best suit a crime prevention strategy we must first understand the differences in the four types of research theories. Determining the best type of research strategy will help in developing a productive method for changing the crime situation. If the right type of research theory is not implemented it can result in invalid results and inaccurate findings. The best research method will involve the ability to develop good methods for preventing crime and provide the necessary to data to make the right determinations on what method to use.

The deductive theory of research will begin with the theory and then become more specific in the research once the hypothesis has been created and then tested. In other words the original research question will be tentative until the hypothesis narrows down the topic. The topic will narrow down even further when we collect observations to address the hypotheses (Trochim, 2006). This enables the hypotheses to be tested with specific data of the original theory. This is a logical method for determining the type of research approach.

Inductive reasoning works oppositely from deductive reasoning. Instead of starting from the general and working to the specific, the inductive starts with specific and works its way back to the general. This is called the bottoms up approach and deductive reasoning is considered the top approach to research theories. In inductive reasoning, we begin with specific observations and measures, begin to detect patterns and regularities, formulate some tentative hypotheses that we can explore, and finally end up developing some general conclusions or theories (Trochim, 2006). Inductive reasoning is more explorative then deductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning is narrower and less open ended.

Grounded theory is a research method where the theory is developed from the information and data that has been collected. The research method is similar to the indicative method because it begins with a specific research topic and then determines a more broad area of research. The method of study is based on three elements. They are concepts, categories and propositions, or what was originally called hypotheses (Davidson, 2002). It is a qualitative research method that uses a specific set of procedures used to develop a theory to solve the issue at hand. In this case it would be used to induce a method of research that would most benefit the prevention of crime in the community. The information will then be used to glean the context and process that would be used in the determined research method.

Grounded theory is often found to be a method which separates theory and data but others insist that the method actually combines the two (Davidson, 2002). The principles behind collecting data and analyzing the theory are connected and will guide the process. The process of asking questions and making comparisons guides the research and helps to determine the best process for doing the research.

Open coding, axial coding and selective coding are the three sampling procedures used in grounding. Data collection is directed by theoretical sampling, which means that the sampling is based on theoretically relevant constructs (Davidson, 2002). Theoretical sampling is used to determine the objectives of the research, identify specific factors, and determine relevant categories of study. Grounded theory contains many unique characteristics that are designed to maintain the grounded approach. This is done through data collection and analysis.

The axiomatic theory uses mathematical equations to determine the solutions to a problem. It uses a set of axioms to derive theories. The theory is used to prove if the facts are true or false and is grounded in the set theory. This means that the information can be explained through mathematical equations, graphs and other types of mathematical structures. This type of research is useful when trying to determine statistical information or to determine trends or patterns.

The inductive and grounded theories start with a specific topic of research and then broaden the area of study. This method would be helpful to finding crime prevention method because it begins with the topic and then broadens the area of research. This would allow the research concerning preventive methods to broaden the area of study to determine the case of the crime issues and allowing for more determinations of what is causing this problem.

A deductive method will start with a general topic and become more specific as the research is conducted. By testing the hypothesis the researcher can make determinations of the specific cause for crime and the best method for preventing crime from happening. It can narrow down the areas of concern and help to develop a productive method of research in order to develop a crime prevention program in the community. The inductive research methods begin with a specific topic but broaden the area of research as it is need. Axiom research methods only work if there is an ability to determine the data through mathematical means. The inductive research method would be the most beneficial for creating this prevention program.

A theory is conjecture concerning a topic or idea. In other words the researcher will speculate about a certain topic, event, or situation and then develop explanations to answer the question being asked. A hypothesis is a proposition. It is a set of ideas that will explain a particular phenomenon through testing the idea. A theory is discussed and a hypothesis is tested. A hypothesis gives a scientific explanation for the topic being researched after it has been tested. A theory is developed once the research is complete.

A hypothesis is a possible explanation arrived at by studying facts, using logic and assumption, but it is still in a formative stage and over time, and generally through experimentation, hypotheses that are proven to be true then become the foundations of the theory (Moran, 2002). While theories are generally believed to be factual the assumption arises from the gathered data and justifiable assumptions. An example of a theory would be the belief that many scientists believed the world was flat. Until proof was presented to change the theory it was believed to be factual.

A theory will start with a hypothesis. It will be tested and determined if it is true or false or accurate or inaccurate. The findings will be given to the scientific community and if true will develop into a theory. It is a rational explanation of a single event or phenomenon based upon what is observed, but which has not been proved (Wilson, 2007). In other words if you tested a hypothesis that says children with ADHD are exposed to pesticides. If the hypothesis proves true, a theory will be developed concerning the effect of pesticides on children with ADHD.

A variable is a thing being measured in research or a scientific study. A variable is an object, event, idea, feeling, time period, or any other type of category you are trying to measure (Shuttleworth, 2008). The two different types of variable are dependent and independent. The independent variable can stand alone from the research and the dependant variable is dependent on other variables. Most scientific experiments measure quantifiable factors, such as time or weight, but this is not essential for a component to be classed as a variable (Shuttleworth, 2008). In order to be considered a variable if it is a constant part of the research or it could affect the outcome of the research.

An independent variable cannot be changed by other variables being measured. If an independent variable creates change in any aspect of the study it is a dependent variable. The dependant variable relies on other variable in order to be important to the research. The schema is defined in a variable through giving it a value or a definition. The define expression informs the schema of a particular variable and tells the schema to allow for room for the variable. This is important in determining the viability of the variable and its place within the research.

References

Davidson, A. (2002). Grounded Theory. Retrieved August 24, 2010 from