Criminological Research

CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH
COMPREHENSIVE NOTES
Nature of Research
Research Process consist of all activities that pertain to problem formulation and
definition which includes developing a hypothesis, analyzing information and drawing
conclusion based on the gathered information
Types of Research according to use of Statistical Procedure
1. Qualitative research exploratory research; used to gain an understanding of
underlying reasons, opinion and motivations
2. Quantitative research used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical
data or data that can be transformed into useable statistics
Functions or Purpose of Research:
1. Exploratory initial research into a hypothetical or theoretical idea; this is where a
researcher has an idea or has observed something and seeks to understand it
2. Descriptive attempts to explore and explain while providing additional information
about a topic; research is trying to describe what is happening in more detail, filling
in the missing information
3. Experimental a collection of research designs which use manipulation and
controlled testing to understand causal processes
4. Decision-making identify the relationship between two or more variables based on
the results and observations
Conventional Research Designs
1. Surveys gathering of information about a large number of people and interviewing
the selected few
2. Case studies gathering information based on recorded cases, records or previous
studies and drawing conclusion based on this recorded information
3. Experimental conducting an actual test or trial to prove the outcome
Parts of a Research Paper
1. Title a sentence that provides the reader of what the study is about; it should be
comprehensive
2. Abstract short summary of the entire paper which includes the objective,
methodology used, results and the conclusion
3. Introduction provide the facts that lead the researchers to conduct the study,
hypothesis, the objectives and the meaning of the terminologies that were used
4. Review of Related Literature compilation of related literature, studies, articles, news,
magazines and other published materials that are related to your study
5. Method/Procedure/ Methodology states the process of conducting the study, the

method used, who are the respondents, what materials were used to gather the data
or information, statistical tool used to interpret the results and the time frame
6. Results and Discussion part of the study that presents the data that were gathered,
the result of the statistical tests and the interpretation of the data
7. Conclusion provides the answers to the problem based on the information gathered
8. Bibliography provides the published materials or references that were used as a
basis of the study
Logical Structure or Theoretical Framework
1. Expounding -- to expound the structure or framework within which the situation will
be investigated, that is:
a. In the case of the logical structure, to provide a rationale for the perspective
from which the investigator will examine the problem; or
b. In the case of the theoretical framework to conceptualize or state the theory
in which terms the investigator will examine the problem.
2. Validating - to validate the application of the particular logical structure or theoretical
framework in the investigation of the problem in terms of its anticipated advantages
and consequences.
Crime Rate vs Crime Density
Crime rate ratio of crimes in an area to the population of that area
Crime Density method of indication crime rate across space and standardizing number of
incidents by geographical area that can more precisely depict the spatial patterns of crime
Measuring Crime Rate and Crime Density
Crime Rate = number of crimes
100,000 (constant)
Crime Density = Number of reported crimes
Number of hrs/day
Index vs Non-Index Crime
Index crimes crimes that are violent or physically pursued like rape, murder, homicide
Non-Index crimes crimes of negligence or no physical confrontation like violation of RA
9165, reckless imprudence, violation of traffic laws
Research Terminologies
Uniform Crime Reporting annual report that presents data on selected categories of
crimes reported to the police
Variables
1. Dependent variable the variable that changes; affected by the Independent
variable
2. Independent variable variable that does not change; this affects the dependent
variable
3. Confounding variable interference caused by another variable
Data factual information used as a basis for reasoning discussion or calculation
Statistics refers to descriptive indicators of things; collection of tests and techniques used
to describe and make inferences about collected research data
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) particular form of statistical hypothesis testing heavily used
in the analysis of experimental data
Hypothesis known as educated guess; statistical hypothesis test is a method of making
decisions using data.
Hawthorne Effect the tendency of some people to work harder and perform better when
they are participants in an experiment
Level of Measurement
1. Nominal level lowest level of measurement
2. Ordinal level allows researchers to distinguish between persons according to certain
attributes that is either higher or lower compared to one another
3. Interval level assigns numbers that permit nominal differentiation
4. Ratio level assumes an absolute zero on ratio continuum
Data Collection Strategies
1. Sampling method of taking proportion of persons from the whole class
Aspects of sampling
a. Population the entire class or aggregate of elements
b. Parameters characteristics of the populations of elements
2. Questionnaires self-administered inventories that seek descriptive information
about people and their opinions about things
Functions of Questionnaires
a. Description provided by the information acquired through questionnaire

administration
b. Measurement measuring individual or group variables
3. Interviews verbal communication for the purpose of acquiring information; directly
asking respondents
Types of Interviews:
a. Unstructured interview informal interview
b. Structured and focused interview consist of a predetermined list of fixed
response questions
4. Observations data based on how the researcher perceived the situation

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CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH

5. Method/Procedure/ Methodology states the process of conducting the study, the

a. Description provided by the information acquired through questionnaire

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