CCJ 2720 - Intro to Research Methods in Criminology

College of Public Safety Administration

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2018 (550)

Requisites

Prerequisite CCJ 1020

Course Description

This introductory course will examine research strategies, data collection, and data analysis in the investigation of questions which arise in criminology and criminal justice. Particular focus will be placed on understanding the role, theory, and functions of the research process for criminal justice professionals. (Note: This course changed from CCJ 2704 to CCJ 2720.)

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will analyze the application of research in criminal justice and criminology by:
    1. describing the sequential development of the research process.
    2. explaining the value of research in criminal justice and criminology.
    3. defining key assumptions made by investigators in the study of criminological phenomena.
  2. The student will identify frames of reference and problem formulation by:
    1. defining the meaning of frames of reference for types of research problems or events.
    2. discussing the need for literature review and the acquisition of information through investigation.
    3. describing the issues involved in formulating research problems.
  3. The student will explain research designs by:
    1. describing the difference between qualitative and quantitative research.
    2. discussing the terminology associated with research designs, including surveys, case studies, control groups, pre-testing and post-testing, and validity.
    3. discussing research applications for explorative, descriptive, and experimental research designs.
  4. The student will analyze data collection strategies by:
    1. distinguishing between populations, parameters, samples, and statistics.
    2. discussing sampling techniques, purposes, and problems.
    3. describing the function and use of questionnaires as data gathering tools in research.
    4. discussing the strength and weakness of interviews as data gathering tools in research.
    5. describing the types of observation, including participant and non-participant.
    6. discussing the nature and usefulness of content analysis and secondary source analysis.
    7. explaining the differences between the measurement levels, including nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.
  5. The student will explain validity of measures by:
    1. describing the measurement and determination of reliability.
    2. discussing the factors which influence a test’s reliability and validity, such as mechanics, environment, personal factors, instrument’s contents, and researcher’s interpretations.
  6. The student will explain ethics in research by:
    1. defining ethics and codes of ethical conduct formulated by criminal justice organizations.
    2. describing the relation between ethics and social responsibility.
    3. discussing the types of ethical problems found in research, including plagiarism, statistical manipulation, and deception.
    4. describing the Nuremberg Code and the impact on informed consent as a prerequisite to involving human subjects in research projects.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Submitted as 2701; State assigned new number. Flex Access 20062. Was 2706; changed by State Field Review Effective 20111. 3-Year Review 2010: Acceptable As Is. C&I Approval: 11/14/2006, BOT Approval: 12/19/2006, Effective Term: Spring 2007 (375). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2017 (525).
C&I Approval: 02/09/2018, BOT Approval: 04/17/2018, Effective Term: Fall 2018 (550)

Related Programs

  1. Public Safety (CJPSS-AS) (645) (Active)
  2. Public Safety Administration (PSA-TR) (670) (Active)