Criminological Research Overview

Research Overview

• Systematic investigation to establish facts and reach conclusions.
• Defined as a careful and scientific study of a particular problem or concern.
• Involves both inductive (analyzing observed events) and deductive (verifying events) methods.

Purpose of Research

• Identify potential and new customers, understand existing customers.
• Set pragmatic goals and develop market strategies.
• Address business challenges and create business expansion plans.

Characteristics of Good Research

• Follows a systematic approach to ensure accurate data collection.
• Ethics and a clear code of conduct are essential during observations.
• Analysis is based on logical reasoning employing both research methods.
• Utilizes real-time data from natural settings for accuracy.
• In-depth data analysis is essential to minimize anomalies.
• Generates new questions; existing data fosters further research opportunities.
• Clear and analytical to eliminate ambiguity in conclusions.
• Accuracy is paramount, particularly in controlled environments, instrument calibration, and final results.

Purposes of Research Types

• Exploratory Research: New problem areas, foundational for data collection, unstructured approach.
• Descriptive Research: Expands knowledge on current issues, requires minimal variables, focuses on describing behaviors.
• Explanatory Research: Understands specific changes in procedures, often through causal experiments, highly structured approach.

Research Process

• Initiated by asking pertinent questions and selecting appropriate investigation methods.
• Thorough customer data collection enhances analysis for better marketing strategies.
• Use a centralized resource repository for efficient management and insight gathering.

Research Methods

• Broadly classified into Qualitative (conversational methods, non-numerical data) and Quantitative (numerical data analysis).
• Qualitative research seeks to understand participant perspectives and reasoning.

Research Integrity

• Valid: founded, logical, rigorous, and impartial.
• Accurate: error-free with necessary details included.
• Reliable: reproducibility across different investigations.
• Timely: collected within an appropriate period.
• Complete: all essential data is present to support business decisions.

Tips for Conducting Accurate Research

• Identify main trends, issues, and opportunities clearly.
• Track the frequency of key findings.
• List findings from most to least common.
• Conduct SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).
• Draw conclusions and recommendations based on study outcomes.
• Act on strategies derived from findings.
• Identify gaps in data for potential further inquiry.
• Review results and refine methods for better interpretation.

Main Parts of a Research Paper

• Title
• Introduction
• Review of Related Literature
• Research Methodology
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Results
• Conclusions and Recommendations
• Reference Page

This quiz explores the fundamentals of criminological research, focusing on the definition and significance of systematic investigation. It highlights how research helps in describing, explaining, predicting, and controlling observed phenomena in criminal studies.