Midterm CRJ

This midterm is a short-answer essay exam covering Modules 14.

The questions are straightforward and similar in format to the review questions at the end of the chapters. Each answer should be about two substantive paragraphs long. Strong responses will clearly reference specific concepts, terminology, arguments, or examples drawn directly from the course materials. Write clearly and directly and demonstrate familiarity with the assigned readings and learning materials.

Essay Questions

1. Define criminal justice/criminology research and explain why research is considered central to the development of knowledge in this field. Include discussion of who conducts research and why.
2. Explain the idea that research generates power and power generates research. Provide at least one example of how this dynamic plays out in criminal justice or criminology.
3. Discuss the major purposes of research exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, and evaluative and explain how each contributes to knowledge development.
4. Explain how social science research differs from alternative ways of knowing such as authority, tradition, common sense, media narratives, or personal experience. Include discussion of social science norms.
5. Explain Thomas Kuhns ideas about the progression of knowledge and discuss how those ideas apply to research in criminal justice or criminology.
6. Compare Positive Social Science, Interpretive Social Science, and Critical Social Science. Discuss their underlying assumptions, goals, and typical research approaches.
7. Explain the concept of theory in social science research and distinguish it from ideology. Include discussion of hypotheses and levels of analysis.
8. Discuss research ethics in criminology/criminal justice research. Include historical examples of unethical research and address issues such as informed consent, privacy, deception, and IRB oversight.
9. Explain the importance of literature reviews in research. Discuss their purposes, different types, and the role they play in shaping research questions.
10. Define triangulation and explain how combining qualitative and quantitative approaches can strengthen research findings.
11. Explain causal reasoning in research. Include discussion of variables, hypothesis testing, and at least two common errors in causal explanation.
12. Compare probability and nonprobability sampling. Explain when each might be appropriate and discuss challenges in studying hidden populations.
13. Explain the role of experimentation in criminology/criminal justice research. Include discussion of randomization, internal and external validity, and practical challenges.
14. Discuss the strengths and limitations of experimental research in our field. Provide examples where experimental designs are especially useful.
15. Explain the purposes and logic of survey research in criminology/criminal justice. Include discussion of questionnaire construction and principles of good question writing.
16. Discuss the challenges involved in collecting accurate survey or interview data. Include issues related to interpretation, communication, and meaning.

BOOK: (Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods)

Chapters 1 through 8

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