Research Methods in Criminology

Catalog description

The purpose of this writing-intensive course is to engage students in the social scientific research process used by criminologists to answer empirical research questions. It is the second course (after CRIM 249 ) that overviews theory and research in criminology. Students learn to use social science research methods through instructor-led demonstrations and applications of research methods, data analysis exercises, and critical reading of published research. Students apply their research knowledge and skills to an empirical research project completed in a sequence of steps producing written drafts that receive instructor feedback. After completion of this course, students will have acquired the following knowledge and skills: (1) The ability to generate a research question and effectively and efficiently search and review the relevant research literature. (2) A working knowledge of how to apply social science research methods and research designs to answer research questions. (3) The ability to strategically read published research articles to extract different types of information. (4) An understanding of the inductive and deductive aspects of the research process. (5) The ability to collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data. (6) The ability to design a quantitative research project to test hypotheses of interest to criminologists. (7) The ability to summarize and explain in writing the methods used and results derived from studies seeking answers to a common research question. (8) An understanding of social science research methods needed to be critical consumers of research and claims about crime, criminal behavior, and social response to them. (9) A certified knowledge about ethical issues in social science research.